I've been following with interest all of the activity in the US where they're celebrating Connected Educator Month through August, an initiative aimed at strengthening connected online communities of practice in education. So what is the appeal of being 'connected', and why are so many people suddenly taking an interest? In a recent article titled why educators should connect digitally, Tania Roscoria identifies professional development as a key theme. Increased costs associated with traditional forms of PD, the time it takes to participate, the difficulty in getting access to customised or tailored activities etc. etc. are familiar conversations in school staffrooms, and it would seem that there is a dawning realisation that these online environments provide opportunities that are of significant value as PD, as well as meeting expectations in terms of content and relevance. On top of that, participation isn't passive – it's highly contributory, where the expertise and experience of members is recognised and valued by others in the community.
http://blog.core-ed.org/derek/2012/08/connected-educators.html
