I don’t have any experience teaching, but I have been learning the ins and outs of web design over the last seven years or so. So far, I have had the experience of learning both in online classes and, more recently, through online communities. These online communities are comprised of a loose-knit combination of bloggers, commenters, forum posters, IRC and other chat users, and even pod- and video-casters. I have personally been involved in communities that talk about coding, open-source software, digital photography, and even religion, both as a passive reader/listener/viewer and an active participant. To say that this informal discourse is helpful and facilitates learning is an understatement! In fact, especially in the arena of software development, information technology, and web design, I would say that it is absolutely essential.
So, how can these new discourse communities be used to inspire new techniques in the online classroom? Well, first let me share what developing and maintaining my own blog has given me:
- I had to learn to use a new technology, i.e., blogging and content management systems.
- A place to keep my discoveries, be they techniques, websites, tools, or even my own insights. I have found myself referring back to certain posts more than once because they contain information I use again and again.
- A way to track my progress.
- The lovely surprise of meeting people who are interested in the same things I am, and were willing to help me!
I felt that something fundamental changed once I started my own “conversation” with the wider world, although it’s difficult to describe what exactly that was. I do think it had something to do with the fact that I had gained the immediate benefits of social capital, which as defined by Wikipedia means that I gained an “advantage created by a person’s location in a structure of relationships” by defining my location in the first place. It is important in that it is public, it is fresh, it is uncensored, it’s my little corner of this brave new world. It is also difficult to maintain, but is worth the effort.
So, back to my original question: How can I, as an educator, encourage the development of social capital in my students? Well, the first thing is to be a good example. I can share my own blog, encourage comments and participation, and continue to interact with the world at large through the blog. I can also encourage (but probably not require) students to start their own blogs as they begin their educational journey; as I will be teaching students primarily interested in web design at some point having a blog really becomes a professional necessity. Starting this kind of public conversation sooner rather than later is a good thing to do. And I can definitely share with them all the resources, in terms of other blogs, podcasts, and personalities, that I have found absolutely essential to my own professional development. My motto to them would be: Get out there, say something!
This habit, like that of life-long learning, is one well worth fostering in students. Like being able to think logically and analyze information from different resources, it’s a survival skill.
See for yourself…
