Sharing Information

                                               

                                   The Dynamic of Sharing Information in Education

Is there a structure for sharing information among educators and leaders? Teachers use online information to clarify concepts to their students. They share their teaching practices online to better their pedagogy of teaching. Educators provide their communities with necessary information about their students’ learning. One could say that the dynamic of how teachers and leaders share their work depends on the criteria on hand.

In the framework of teacher and student sharing information, and as a prospective math teacher, I wonder how a math teacher shares with his students the learning knowledge that pertain to the standards required in the  curriculum using the a suitable  technology tools and software applications that serve the needs of each student. In a self regulated classroom, math teacher should understand the needs of his students and tap to their way of thinking as well as knowing their interest before sharing information with his learners. In a differentiated instruction classroom, the teacher should provides various examples of learning that match their field of interest to make sense of what they are learning. 

      In his video "Sharing The Moral imperative". Mr. Dean Shareski raised an important question about making sharing information meaningful and valuable to his students and how shared information help his students. His idea of sharing is divergent with respect to my first framework student and teacher sharing information. Students express communicate their interests in the classroom, then it is shared online to benefit others. On the other hand, he mentioned that teachers spend great effort vetting information to share that knowledge in their differentiated classroom. This type of shared information is convergent from an open space to a finite space which is the classroom.  According to Tina Barseghian “ Three trends that define the future of teaching and learning " which are collaboration, tech-powered, blended. The author view sharing information as a collaboration where students help each other to balance their skills. Barseghian added that students not only use the technology but create technology as well such as video games and Digital youth Network to reach other. They become tech-powered.Finally, she states that technology is blended with the traditional teaching which give a new of sharing information with students. I agree with the author, as we introduce more technology to the classroom, the communication becomes much easier between the teacher and his students who become more immersed in the subject area especially the STEM subject. The authors of the scholarly article in the journal of sci education technology titled Affordances and Limitations of Immersive Participatory Augmented Reality Simulations for Teaching and Learning showed the role of augmented reality technology as medium of teaching. It is a new technology that put students as active members of a team  working on their project. The flow chart below shows the relationship between technology, teacher and his students. It also shows how knowledge is shared among the mentioned parties involved in education  

My second framework of sharing information is between teachers and communities. Even though sharing in this type of framework is both online and face to face. I see that a person to person sharing information is beneficial to both parties. In fact, the schools are part of our communities. Lately, Akron Public schools named elementary schools as community learning centers. Therefore, teachers play an important role in their community. Teachers open communication channels with their students’ guardians, community leaders such as politicians. Teachers organize activities in their communities. STEM students display their Problem Based Learning projects in science museum, the malls or other community functions. On the other hand, Teachers usually send e-mails to the parents of their students to inform them about their kids’ progress or to let the parents know of any misbehavior that could arise on the part of their kids.

On the other hand,Wenger states in his article:“Evolution of Wenger's Concept of Community Practice ” that communities of practice (CoPs) are other environment of learning where workers are all equal sharing information among each other to better their work. Wegner demands that teachers in their communities should step out of the expert role and be equal to learners in the community. Wegner believes that collaboration at same plane level field will enhance learning and who have less experience will not be intimidated by the expert. Therefore, everybody benefit from learning. 

As a teacher, I will cultivate the community engagement by developing a high level of trust with community participants. I prefer meeting face to face with community leaders in the monthly town hall meetings to discuss any concerns to better our community. I will encourage collaboration among members of the community to enhance a better living environment for our kids. The parents, community leaders and teachers should all be aware of their role in the upbringing of the future generation.

A teacher is not restricted to communicate with parents and community leaders in person, he can widen his horizon of sharing information through the web. His response to articles on line that tackles community issues could be either formal or informal. It depends on the media used to publish the article. For example, if responding to an article published in a digital new-paper or a scholarly article, I would write a formal prose. However, responding to comments on face book or chatting online doesn’t have to be necessary formal. It will depends on the person sharing information or the audience in hand. According to Ann Wayman, in his blog titled "Should Web Writing Be Formal or Informal?". He showed his skepticism about what to be considered formal. He believes that the writing that used to be considered formal, is now informal. I agree with Ann Wayman. I agree with the blogger because our contemporary literature includes books that use the slang or the dialect to tell a story. 

“Transparency has a unique potential to empower and inspire a team that it has largely transformed how we run Buffer.” – Joel Gascoign

Aside from making a choice writing in public formally or informally, one has to show openness in sharing information that could benefit others learning. Restricting information doesn’t help the empowerment of the community. A transparent culture can build trust between teachers, students, parents and community members. Laws that restrict information from the public need to be abolished. As a society, the transparency toward multiculturalism need to be clear to our citizens. Our representatives need to clarify how important to accept one another in spite of cultural differences. Every citizen needs to speak his mind. We need to share honest information to involve and inform others.