The significance of web-based social networks for the professional development of teachers

Alenka Andrin
[email protected]
Zavod RS za šolstvo

Predstavitev

Povzetek

Namen prispevka je širiti védenje o tem, kako pomembni so socialni mediji, še zlasti spletna socialna omrežja, za učiteljev strokovni razvoj. V svojem prispevku se osredotočam predvsem na pomen socialnih omrežij, pri čemer še posebej izpostavljam Twitter. Twitter je namreč zaradi svoje zasnove in oblike po mojem prepričanju za profesionalni razvoj učitelja trenutno najprimernejše spletno socialno omrežje, kar poskušam prikazati oz. dokazati z opisom načina njegove uporabe. Prispevek poskuša vzpodbuditi vse udeležence v izobraževalnem sistemu k večjemu neformalnemu povezovanju prek spletnih socialnih omrežij, s čimer spodbuja tudi k sodelovalnemu delu in učenju ter jih ozavešča o pomenu le-tega.

Ključne besede: osebna učna mreža, strokovni razvoj, spletna socialna omrežja, socialni mediji

Abstract

The purpose of the paper is to disseminate knowledge and raise the awareness of the importance of social media, especially web-based social networks, for the professional development of teachers.  The paper focuses on the significance of web-based social networks, with particular emphasis on Twitter. In my opinion, due to its design and form Twitter is currently the most appropriate web-based social network for the professional development of teachers. This paper tries to show this by describing Twitter's functionality and application. It also tries to encourage informal networking of all the participants within the educational system via web-based social networks, thus promoting collaborative work and collaborative learning, as well as raising the awareness of the significance of both of  them.

Key words: personal learning network, professional development, web-based social networks, social media