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In my thinking and reflecting about digital literacy, I can’t help but mull over the language. I have been teaching my mother-in-law about Facebook. The icons and language are all new to her. Yesterday she sent me a private message, “Is this band along the bottom where I put a comment for your eyes only? Sorry I’m so slow with FB.” I laugh, but this is all a new language for her. It takes us a while to catch on to a new language, and sometimes it intimidates us so much that we resist and don’t learn it. I am proud that she has stuck with it and continues to try to learn the FB jargon.
I have been trying to follow the Connected Learning at Educator Innovator. To start with, the hashtag is clmooc. That is hard to get my head around. It was weeks before I could remember it. I worked hard to get over my intimidation and just did what I could to tag along. Then I got an application for a badge. Oh my, I really want the badge. But I have to prove my worthiness.
This badge is awarded to educators who’ve produced connected learning-based resources, events, curriculum and/or created artifacts that demonstrate Connected Learning principles in action or in theory.
–EducatorInnovator.org
The word Make is all over the Connected Learning assignments challenges. I’m getting used to the term more and more and believe a Make is anything you have created on your own. Makes are not exclusively done with technology. We use the technology to share our Makes.
As I begin to think about how I will incorporate this new learning into my class this year, I am wondering how my discomfort or low level of expertise will affect my use of the vocabulary. Will Makes become a term I use with my students? I feel pretty confident using the social media terms of Tweet, Twitter, Friend, Post, etc. (My children made fun of me for a long time because I didn’t properly use the verb Tweet.)
I’m still hoping for a way to make a Maker Community for our students. We can begin with Sheri Edwards’ site: Connect2Learn. She is till in the brainstorming stage and welcomes our ideas.
What new vocabulary will you be using this year with your students? Does the vocabulary change or heighten the work we do? Let me know your thoughts.
For Kim Douillard’s “In Search of the Unexpected” Photo-a-Day Challenge for August: 1. People 2. Places
A little restaurant in St. Martinville, St. John’s, doesn’t look like much from the outside, but good food waits on the inside. The crowds wait for table.
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Reflections on the Teche 
My challenge is to encourage increased use of the vast number of resources available, Margaret. It’s a learning curve for teachers, I know, and for those who have been doing beautiful things without connecting, it’s a challenge to ask them to add to their plate. I agree, the language can be daunting. Sorry I have nothing for you today, perhaps later!
Oh, the resources are endless. I think I’ll pick out a few that are user friendly to use. Tapestry sent me an email that they will no longer be a storytelling site. Maybe you could do a post about the resources you will promote this year. I know what you mean about teachers who are doing the good work, but are not connecting. We should continue to look for ways to make connections easier. For me, that is the most fun part because I get to meet awesome people like you.
First, how cool that you are teaching a new language to your mother-in-law, while also learning one! I am glad you are so open to CLMOOC and all the crazy collaborating going on there. “Make” as a terminology for creating has not sunk in at my school yet, but we started last year and I think it will take off this year now that ore of us have used and tried it.
Are you posting anywhere about the Make things you are doing? It’s all about learning from each other. I would love to see what is working.
I’m with you on teaching others about Facebook. I’ve taught my MIL and my mom how to use it. It is like teaching someone another language!