Educational Networking: Analytical Reflection

In the past, social networking services were viewed as a distraction that offered no educational benefit. Now, the tremendous benefit and potential of social networking used in an educational context is being realized. Educational networks are platforms where connected learning for educators is becoming the norm.

Telecommuting networks are thought to hold great promise for improving the quality of teacher's work and students' educational experiences. Such networks may increase opportunities for interaction and collaboration among K-12 teachers, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, content area experts, parents and students. In addition, network use can help educators stay current with best practices in their field and help them to overcome problems such as teacher isolation ad limited on-site access to information (U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment, 1995). Such potential benefits have lead to a "connectivity movement" in education (Gallo & Horton, 1994). In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of educators who use educational telecomputing network, as well as growth in the number and quality of networked education resources.

Educational networks have proven their worth by connecting educators through the technological advances of Web 2.0. Connectivity is a benefit to the entire educational community and lends itself to the innovation and creation of new methods, practices and means to improve our professional practices. In particular, statewide educational networks are now considered an important endeavor, generally recognized as necessary and effective. A "statewide" educational network extends to all areas of the state and provides educational services to a statewide audience (such as residents, higher education system, K-12 schools or libraries). All states have more than one statewide network. I have used several Texas statewide educational networks to secure information for my own professional practice as a Career Portals Instructor to eight-graders at Lincoln Middle School of Technology and Engineering.

Reference Citations: (1) Anderson, S., & Harris, J. (1997). Factors associated with amount of use and benefits obtained by users of a statewide educational telecomputing network. Educational Technology Research and Development , 45(1), 19-50. doi: 10.1007/BF02299611 (2) Gallo, M. A., & Horton, P. B. (1994). Assessing the effect on high school teachers of direct and unrestricted access to the Internet: A case study of an East Central Florida high school.Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(4), 17–39. (3) U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. (1995).Teachers and technology: Making the connection (OTAEHR-616). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF02299611