aslanonline08 |

Since the emergence of Web 2.0 – the Read/Write web – we have seen the establishment of a new kind of ecology of technology enhanced learning that focuses on open access, collaboration, and professional exchange which has given us a chance to make a real difference in education and lifelong learning.The shift in professional practice has been profound for those of us who have been willing to step into the Read/Write web – and because we have experienced the extraordinary benefits for ourselves and for our students, I invite you to join the global transformation in learning.

I am forever grateful for those early adopters who have been promoting Web 2.0 within education and library circles. We have all had our own ‘epiphany’, inspired by someone – because the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 is still not necessarily obvious to all so we continue to need help! My kapow! came from Stephen Abram of Stephen’s Lighthouse fame. I soon discovered Will Richardson (raced out to buy his book) and Michael Stephens. I have a long list of ‘good reads’ ready for you to discover on my blog. The connections have continued since then. Whether it’s the awesome Stephen Downes or the teacher or teacher librarian down the road, there are hundreds of thousands of teachers, students, and librarians online – and each of them brings a particular dimension to the learning landscape that IS our world.

I am convinced of one thing – the future is being shaped by the multimodal world that our students occupy. Our teaching and professional practice is being moulded by the multimodal opportunities that surround us.

What’s so important about blogging for professional learning?

I know that blogging was the prime ‘lead’ for me to become an active participant in the future world of work and play of our students – a multimodal way of thinking, acting, sharing, knowing, and enjoying. My life as an educator will never be the same – and nor will yours.

Welcome to readers from the ASLA Online 2008 conference. I would like to take the opportunity that this conference presents to me to reflect a little on blogging and professional learning and hope that you will join me in conversation along the way. I will track my posts on this topic with the tag “aslaonline08“, which you can collect by searching that tag, either on this blog, or through Technorati.

So why are you blogging?

Like everything online these days, while this post is the first in a series of posts for the ASLAOnline III Virtual Conference -it is also a post in response to Christopher Sessums question “so what are you blogging for?” That’s how things work these days! We’re all talking and sharing together.

Oh….and a message to Will – I wish we had better bandwidth to share with you at the seminars in Sydney and Brisbane. What we lacked in bandwidth was made up a hundred-fold by the magic of working with you, and seeing you share your experience, vision and enthusiasm with good ‘ole aussies who love your work! Your blogging transforms our understanding.

If you have a view about blogging as a professional learning tool, please add your thoughts for readers. Watch for other posts in this online conference thread too.

Blogging: The Staff Experience