What? is indeed the right question. When first learning of Ning I was lost; TOTALLY absent of any recognition. None, zip, nada. It isn't even a word or phrase or at least a formally implemented term of popular culture like "bling-bling" that is familiar . . . nope, it is odd. Ning's newness (shall I use the term newness?, I think it's appropriate) led me to be slightly prejudice to its potential awesomeness. Because, of course, something new cannot be certifiably awesome without the chance to verify it. Right?
When you preview the sight, your first thoughts are, "Nope, not doing it. There's no way I'm gunna sign up for one more thing. This doesn't even look that cool!" And until I had checked it out, I too had thought that very thing. I mean, honestly, how many various sites does one person need to belong too? However, and I'm sure this will not warrant any degree of shock, my love of books opened the doors to its possibilities. As I began to click a little here, and click a little there, I found out that there are sites for book lovers just like me! ::GASP:: How fantastic! I could chat up my favorite books and preemptively warn those about far from great ones all with the click of a mouse. In essence, it's like a virtual book club. Yes, I know, I am a dork! But if you ask me, and I don't think you have but I'll just ask myself, I'd say this Ning thing (where did they get that name from anyways?) is going to catch on fast.
Or, at least, they'll be able to add another member to their list.
So you see, I'm gettin' the hang of this technology thing. I might even be loving it a little! Who'd a thought.
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I'm so proud of you! I too am surprised at the innumberable opportunities and tools I have been introduced to in the last few weeks.
ReplyDeleteIn order for us, as adults and teachers, to be adept and informed without relying on our students to introduce us to new technology, we have to be willing and able to take that step; to go beyond the sign in that request personal information that we SWEAR we will not enter to sign in and check it out. When we put up a wall or immediately decide that a site, tool, or piece of technology doesn't fit our lifestyle or interest, we lose one more outlet of opportunity to reach our students, our future.
Yes, your reaction to the Ning was totally different than what you ended with here. I think the more people get used to this unfamiliar tool of technology they are going to bash it. I had the same reaction at first and did not want to stretch myself thin with paying attention to another social site but with a little exploration to find our interests and how it can help us opened my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Allie that we have to go one more step beyond to meet the new generation. Each new generation becomes even more advanced in technology every day. If we didn't extend ourselves we wouldn't be able to reach our students at the best of our ability. I am so excited to talk to my sixth graders because I am still on the same level of technology. They ask me about popular music and popular culture as well and I feel like I am at my best right now to meet at their level.
We should all make a pack that we will continue to learn as much as we can about technology. I think it will be easier if we are all sharing our new finds especially through this new website, Ning.