Peeragogy Handbook V1.0/K-12 Peeragogy

Author: Verena Roberts @verenanz Editor: Alison Seaman @alisonseaman

Summary

Teachers have a reputation of working in isolation, of keeping their learning to themselves and on their own islands. They are also known for generously sharing resources with one another. It is this latter trait that is becoming increasingly important as the role of the educator continues to expand. As educational technology research specialist Stephen Downes observes, the expectations on teachers have grown from “being expert in the discipline of teaching and pedagogy...[to needing to have] up-to-date and relevant knowledge and experience in it. Even a teacher of basic disciplines such as science, history or mathematics must remain grounded, as no discipline has remained stable for very long, and all disciplines require a deeper insight in order to be taught effectively.” It is no longer possible for an educator to work alone to fulfil each of these roles: the solution is to work and learn in collaboration with others. This is where peer-based sharing and learning online, connected/networked learning, or peeragogy, can play an important role in helping educators.

Becoming a connected/networked learner

The following steps are set out in ‘phases’ in order to suggest possible experiences one may encounter when becoming connected. It is acknowledged that every learner is different and these ‘phases’ only serve as a guide.

Phase 1: Taking the plunge

To help educators begin to connect, the Connected Educator Starter Kit was created during Connected Educator’s Month in August 2012. In the kit, educators will learn the distinction between connected ‘educator’ and connecter 'learner.' The kit also outlines wide range of Web 2.0 tools like, Twitter, Facebook, wikis, blogs and social networking to help support the educator-learner through the phases of connected learning.

The key to becoming a successful ‘connected educator-learner’ involves spending the time needed to learn how to learn and share in an open, connected environment. Each stage, tool and community has a learning curve and nuances of its own. In order to successfully complete each phase, connected educator-learners will need to reach out and ask for support from other learners they encounter. In turn, these new connected educator-learners will need to reciprocate by sharing learning openly. Not only will it support others’ learning but it helps to foster the conditions necessary for a healthy online learning community.

Phase 2: Lurking

We all begin as lurkers. A learner can be considered a true ‘lurker’ after reviewing the starter kit, establishing a digital presence (through a blog or a wiki) or signing up for Twitter and creating a basic profile containing a photo. In this phase, lurkers will begin to [http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fractuslearning.com%2F2012%2F05%2F25%2Ftwitter-follow-education-technology%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNF8grPMuRwU_ImW9Jk3ZYrg0m9KgQ 'follow' other users on Twitter] and observe [http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fcybraryman.com%2Fchats.html&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFJASZiwfvPbfOzFbHvAunpXfNC1g educational Twitter 'chats']. Lurkers will also begin to seek out other resources through blogs, [http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.edsocialmedia.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fthe-advantage-of-facebook-groups-in-education%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNEvc43Q7GqJqS-2S8GhEJ53Ye-j4Q Facebook], Edmodo and LinkedIn groups.

Phase 3: Entering the fray

The lurker begins to develop into a connected educator-learner once he or she makes the decision to enter into a dialogue with another user. This could take the form of a personal blog post, participation on an education-related blog or wiki or a an exchange with another Twitter user. Once this exchange takes place, relationships may begin to form and the work towards building a Personal Learning Network (PLN) begins.

One such site where such relationships can be built is Classroom 2.0, which was founded by Steve Hargadon. Through Classroom 2.0, Steve facilitates a number of free online learning opportunities including weekly [http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futureofeducation.com%2Fnotes%2FPast_Interviews&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHVYOvP-w7NTgKp2Fu2AX4YycnPQQ Blackboard Collaborate] sessions, conferences, book projects and grassroots cross-country educational-transformation tours. Classroom 2.0 also offers a supportive Social Ning—a free, social learning space that provides online conferences and synchronous and recorded interviews with inspirational educators—for connected educator-learners around the world.

Phase 4: Building and shaping your PLN

Just as not every person one meets becomes a friend, it is important to remember that not every exchange will lead to a co-learning peeragogy arrangement. It may be sufficient to follow another who provides useful content without expecting any reciprocation. It is dependent on each educator-learner to determine who to pay attention to and what learning purpose that individual or group will serve. It is also up to the learner-educator to demonstrate to others that he or she will actively participate.

There are a number of strategies one can use when shaping the PLN to learn. However, one of the best ways educators can attract a core of peeragogues is by sharing actively and demonstrating active and open learning for others.

There are a number of sites where a new educator-learner can actively and openly learn. In addition to personal blogging and wikis, other professional development opportunities include open, online courses and weekly synchronous online meetings through video, podcasts or other forms of media. Examples of these opportunities are: Connected Learning TV, TechTalkTuesdays, VolunteersNeeded, SimpleK12, K12 Online, CEET, and EdTechTalk. Alternatively, courses are offered with P2PU’s School of Education or a wide variety of other opportunities collected by TeachThought and Educator's CPD online. Peggy George, the co-facilitator of the weekly Classroom 2.0 LIVE Sessions, created a livebinder package of free ‘[http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.livebinders.com%2Fplay%2Fplay_or_edit%3Fid%3D429095&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHCIdRn64rPwske2vP7xrpWolb-jA PD On Demand]’ connected professional development online options for peeragogy enthusiasts.

Stage 5: Extending the digital PLN and connecting face-to-face

Over time, once the connected educator-learner has established a refined PLN, these peeragogues may choose to shift their learning into physical learning spaces. Some options available for these educator-learners would include the new ‘grassRoots unconferences’, which include examples such as: EduCon, EdCamps, THATcamp and ConnectedCA. These conferences are free or extremely low-cost and focus on learning from and with others. These ‘unconferences’ are typically publicized through Twitter, Google Apps, and Facebook. Connecting face-to-face with other peeragogues can strengthen bonds to learning networks and help to promote their sustainability.

Building personal capacity for Education 2.0

Given the large number of roles now expected of connected educators, through peeragogy, K–12 educators can now each distribute the load of the learning among networks. Although learning to connect takes time and practice, a support network is a natural accompaniment of relationship-building and open learning. Numerous online sites and social platforms exist for K–12 educators to connect and learn together as peeragogues; though the ways in which connections develop are unique. It is up to each educator to discover a passion and share it with others!

Postscript

Sylvia Tolisano, Rodd Lucier and Zoe Branigan-Pipen co-created the infographic below, which explores experiences individuals may encounter in the journey to become connected learners. It is not only a helpful entry point for new learner-educators seeking to become peeragogues, but it also serves as a wonderful example of peeragogy at work.

Additional resources

amazing technology tools for your classroom:

• Richard Byrne
• Sylvia Tolisano
• Caitlin Tucker
• Vicki Davis

How to develop your PLN:

• Degrees of Connected Teaching by Rodd Lucier
• TeachThought

Theory & philosophy of connected learning for classroom transformation:

• David Truss
• Steven Downes
• Will Richardson