8th session. Competence in Working Life and Networks
1. Social media and online activities in networking.
This was our assigned topic for the session. This time the preparation, distribution of tasks and elaboration went really smooth thanks mainly to our excellent coordination and the diligence showed by my peer during this task. If the content and division of tasks are set clear from the very beginning, the rest goes real fast. Additionally, within a team of only two the processes are much quicker.
Our presentation started with a shocking question:
"In the present and as a teacher, is it possible to live without social media?"
During our discussions, the first answers that comes to our minds gave us the initial impression of the basically impossibility of doing so, at least professionally. It is clear that social media is here to stay and professionally speaking is more important than ever.
For being in perspective with the importance of these tools for businesses and educational institutions we presented the following discussion based on the debate with argumentation as presented by Hyppönen & Linden (2010) in their Handbook for Teachers:
Although limited by the scarce number of participants, the discussion, divided into two confronting factions, gave us to understand that despite the current extended use of digital campaigns, the face-to-face form of networking is still valid and it will keep on being valid in the future. This aspect, according to our conclusions, will be demonstrated after the mobility limitations we lived during pandemic times.
After this dynamic debate we went deeper first on WHY educational institutions and businesses use social media in order to get a closer approach on the HOW these institutions interact. After analysing several simple and explanatory examples on the use of social media within the OAMK environment, we understood the power of these tools compared to the relatively low economic effort they require. In a simple example, and taking the Russian and Chinese markets as a reference, we took perspective of the extraordinary possibilities of reaching huge targets in geographically distant markets through social media.
At a different level, we also identified the existing networks created for teachers only. Much more sector-specific, these networks help to promote collaboration, project development, knowledge sharing and job searching within the profession. Apart from these formal networks, through this presentation we also learned that informal or unofficial ways to connect – as through family or friends – are more than valid ways of interacting and networking with sometimes even more positive outcomes.
2. Teachers and networks.
The second topic focused on the relationship between teachers and networks: advantages, search and identification of these networks. The advantages comprise from job searching, curricula sharing, creation of new strategies and especially having a further influence beyond the classroom environment. Human beings are social creatures and this type of interactions are part of human progress and their psychological balance. Above all these formal networks we again identified the importance of basic ways of connecting through friends, relatives and close connections such as teachers, former classmates or people related to the teaching environment – from now on tagged as unofficial networks.
3. Social networks maps.
According to the Six Handshake rule by Frigyes Karinthy from (1929!!!) in average we are at only six contacts (technically said: six degrees) of separation to any individual in this whole planet. If we take into account that the theory was formulated far before the boom of social media platforms, it is not difficult to imagine how dynamically this whole thing of networking has evolved and how powerful tool has turned out to be until today.
Source: hlo.hu
One of most important steps when trying to identify our own networks is the fact of recognising the links from our own environment and background. By doing so we get to put in perspective our current situation, how we got to where we are now and what is more important: how we can continue improving our level of progress.
Networking has its own etiquette as well. Not only behaviour rules are needed for a smooth and correct networking experience but a range of useful soft skills to success throughout the whole process. If we apply these networks for broadening our professional goals as teachers, encouraging our students to use them the final results are proven to be more than satisfactory.
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K. Singh & I. Akhtar. Skills required for effective networking.
4. My own network map.
As an extra exercise of self-reflection and analysis the creation of one's own network map put us in situation of what are own personal connections, how we got to our current situation and what kind of possibilities we have available through our existing contacts. It was surprising to discover through this overview the complexity of these processes but also the future possibilities from my current position.
My own social network map showed me that my professional activity so far has provided me with specific and robust contacts. I have found that my contacts now within education are growing up and that the link between teaching and my previous professional activity is possible and full of synergies. It is just a question of connecting the right links.
Sources:
Hyppönen, Olli. Linden, Satu. Handbook for teachers. 2009. Education Policy Outlook: Finland.
Barile, N. Networking for Teachers. 7 places and people to Turn To. Blog article:
Singhal, Aditya. 11 Succesful Higher Education Marketing Strategies. April 30, 2020.
https://www.falcon.io/insights-hub/topics/social-media-management/11-successful-higher-education-social-media-marketing-strategies
Vuorikari, R., Garoia, V., Punie, Y., Cachia R. Teacher networks. Today's and tomorrow's challenges and opportunities for the teaching profession. October 2012.
https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/networking-for-teachers-7-people-and-places-to-turn-o1711.html
Tricia Niesz, Why Teacher Networks (Can) Work. April 2007. Phi Delta Kappan. Vol. 88, No. 08, April 2007, pp. 605-610.
GENERAL IMPRESSIONS OF THE WHOLE SESSION:
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- Interesting discussions during the presentations.
- Best presentations so far.
- Concrete topics with concise explanations.
❌
– Overlapping in some of the findings.
– Reduced audience made not possible heated discussions.
– Technical issues slowed the pace in some explanations.
What is your personal opinion? Leave your comment down here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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