The times I’ve grown most as an educator was when I collaborated with my fellow teachers. It’s very powerful to get a different point of view. However, I found that collaboration was one of the hardest things to achieve. You’re in one room all day and when you do get a break you have to check your box, write lessons, call parents, and maybe take a bathroom break. Time is extremely limited. This is why I love the communities so much on Google +.
Google + has many communities that you can join. Some may not be appropriate for the workplace. (The One Direction community is an example of an inappropriate community. It’s never ok to like One Direction.) Some communities you can join, while others you have to ask to join.
The reason why I love the Google + communities so much, is that I’m able to collaborate with other educators not just in my building or county, but across the nation and world. The sharing and flow of ideas from educator to educator is a beautiful thing. When we all work together we raise each other up. The best part is I can collaborate on my schedule. I can do it if I have a few minutes free during the day or early in the morning while I’m having breakfast.
Start to search for a community today. Sign in to Google + and from the Home drop down menu select Communities. Google will show you communities that you might be interested in. (Just go past the Vampire Diaries community…I mean really?…) Just use the search bar at the top of the page to search for a community you might be interested in.
One community that I find very useful is Educational Apps for Kids. In this community educators and parents share apps that can be used to teach students. This is a really cool way to learn about new apps for the ipads.
I could go on for a very long time about the different communities that are available and I still wouldn’t hit all the great ones. Think about the need you currently have. Maybe you want to come up with new ways to teach science, or new strategies for integrating technology in your classroom. Whatever your need may be, search for it in the community search box. Start exploring the communities. If you find a community that is really awesome post it in the comments section.
Now go out and be social.
