2 Does my work flow?

I've been trying to get blogging back on my priority list but I seem to always run into problems with time.  We're currently giving some PD sessions to teachers on blogging and I felt GUILTY for how long its been since I posted! I know it's important, I know it's great professional growth, I know it will make me a better leader but somehow it still gets put aside. Sound familiar?

So, iv'e taken it upon myself to do an inquiry into how others organise their time for blogging thinking that I might be suffering from a work flow problem. I've found a great blog post on advanced blogging from Sue Waters  explaining how to structure the important elements of a blog post.  I was happy to realise that I have been already doing what she recommended so I decided to delve deeper into the nature of the work flow itself.  While her amazing graphic at the end of the post was inspiring, it didn't help me clarify exactly how I could save time and get to the nitty gritty of writing more consistently.

Looking deeper, I found this great site by Shamelle Perera that gives suggestions on how to use Evernote to organise the blogging process. Her clear instructions on how to label and use the folder structure have helped by organise all of the half written brainstorms I have on my computer! (Happens to you too, huh?!) 

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4 Time to socialize?

I'm on a journey to find my voice. In my last blog post, I explored the idea that I am moving through phases in my journey as a TLL (Technology Language Learner) and a LLL (Leadership Language Learner). As part of my learning journey, I have begun again (after my transitional silent phase) to use my blog as a learning and reflecting tool. To this end I have found myself stumbling over a very important question: Should I schedule time during my work hours to use social network and blogging platforms to further my connections and reflections?

As a TLL, I need to continue to expand my use of twitter and blogging as a tool for my job for connection and reflection purposes. Those in Ed Tech recognize how important these tools are in developing and maintaining current practices for students. As a LLL, I need to work on finding my voice and being a model of my expectations to others. Considering these two arguments then, shouldn't I be able to schedule time to tweet and blog during my work time?

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1 Best Ed-Reform Resource Right Under Your Nose

I did a little twitter spring cleaning tonight (well actually this morning because the only time I don't have two kids jumping or sleeping on me is in the wee hours of the morning!) and went through my followers and those that I follow as well as lists I have made.  I was absolutely humbled by the extreme talent, dedication, and in depth thinking that is represented by all of the members of my PLN! From well known bloggers to lesser known tweeters, message after message contained something insightful that was found or a link to a blog post that had astounding original applications and solutions for what is happening in education today.

This got me thinking.... if all of those great minds are out there and connecting on twitter, is anyone noticing? I mean, yes, me and about 1 million other educators who are advocates of twitter have noticed, but have any of the people in politics starting paying attention to us yet? I've seen many politically connected names and important positions on twitter but do the people who are making the laws and reforms watch our twitter feeds?  Many of the people who are making decisions for education reform today are still mainly politicians and other "non-education" persons speaking on our behalf.  I would love for them to spend a week looking at the twitter feeds and reading the blogs of some of the leading education reform bloggers and tweeters out there.  These are quality people who aren't spending their time complaining but are sharing the amazing ways that they make change and inspire learning to happen every day!  One week reading things from @kevinhoneycutt, @web20classroom, @angelamaiers, @gcouros ... (the list goes on and on!) and they would have their fill of innovative ideas for learner centered, engaged learning with new technologies and suggested ways for the leadership of that change in the educational sphere.  Surely after one week they would gather enough ideas and suggestions to make significant changes in the system today. Is this happening? Are the politicians and reform makers using the most amazing resource that's right under their noses?

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