Trawling the Net

As a student of CCTI seeking professional development, I no longer feel lost as I did before. At first I was scared of technology, but now I have an idea where to go for any information concerning my professional development. I know what sites and blogs to visit for information and I know how to bookmark sites that I would wish to revisit.

However, I still feel timid and hold back when it comes to sparking off discussion of any kind. I still need to feel the ropes. I have tried to give my comments on certain issues once in a while. My PLN has given me insight into some of the most popular tools that could be used by both students and teachers in the teaching and learning process. It has helped me with solutions to some controversial issues and also suggested tools that promote my professional learning goals and development. I have visited sites and blogs that have been very informative and mind-opening. I have engaged in discussions with my collaborative group members, and I have bookmarked sites and blogs that have been key in my professional learning and development and I intend to revisit them and share them with my colleagues at the work place.
The power of collaboration includes:

·        sharing new ideas and strategies.

·         learning to work together and ease the load that would have been cumbersome if dealt with by an individual.

·        helping each other out in case of a problem. 

Collaboration is not without pitfalls and some of them include;
·        getting the group members to move at the same pace is frustrating.
·        the silence of some members may be quite  disconcerting.  
·         It takes more than the necessary time to make the decisions for what to include or not to include, or who is to handle what aspect of a task.
·        lack of access to the Net and the high expenditure on Internet bundles may delay contact
·        lack of tools to work with i.e laptops, desktops, or iPads etc.
·        other commitments.

With the Wiki page, the following are the advantages;

·        It is easy to work on a wiki and to contribute to it.

·        ability to share with others openly any ideas that you wish to share

·        the feeling that you are adding something of value to an important discussion that will be viewed by others.

The disadvantages include;
·        the fact that anyone can alter what you have put down and distort the meaning of what you wanted to put across.
·        when you miss the link that gives you access to it, you may never be in position to post any input to it.