Learning in the Open - Scary? Yes!! Worth It? Also, YES!!

 

Let's get real: when I first heard the phrase "learning in the open," I felt very panicked. Post my thoughts where? Share my reflections with who?! As someone who is still growing into my role as a future educator, the idea of publicly sharing my work felt like a weird combo of vulnerability and impostor syndrome. But now? I kind of love it.

There's something really cool (and kind of magical) about putting your ideas out into the world and realizing you're not alone. Blogging, sharing lesson ideas, reading my peers' posts- it turns out that this whole "open learning" thing is like joining a virtual teacher's lounge where people actually share resources instead of just baked goods. 🤣

What started off as something that I had to do quickly became something that I looked forward to. Reflecting through blog posts made me stop and really think about what I value as a future educator. Posting my ideas- no matter how small- felt like planting little seeds of inspiration. And getting responses from classmates or seeing someone say, "Hey, I loved your idea!" made me realize how powerful a connection can be in this profession. 

While building my own PLN (Professional Learning Network), I have to say: it's like a backstage pass to amazing ideas, perspectives, and support. Whether it's through a blog comment, a shared resource, or just reading someone else's reflection that makes me say, "Yes! Me too!!", it all has helped me grow.  

One of my biggest takeaways from this whole "learning in the open" experience is just how powerful it is to share what I'm learning. Reflection becomes so much more when it's not just stored in my head. Writing things out has helped me to process what's clicking, what's still messy, and where I'm growing. But the real magic happened when people would chime in and share their perspectives. It was like, POOF!, it is no longer just me- it's now a conversation!

The vulnerability aspect of this was the hardest part; it's not always easy for me to put my thoughts out there, especially when I'm still figuring things out. But when I am open and honest, I can create space for real connections. I need to remember that my voice matters, even when I'm scared.

So yes, learning in the open can be very scary at first. But now? I cannot imagine learning any other way. 

Here's to more blog posts, shared ideas, and growing together- messy reflections and all!! ❤

Shaping Digital Citizens

 

As a future educator, I spend a lot of time imagining what I want my classroom to feel like. I picture a space where my students feel safe, curious, empowered, and ready to explore not only the world around them, but the digital one, too. That's why digital citizenship is something I already know I want to prioritize. It's not just about teaching students how to use technology - it's about teaching them how to use it wisely, responsibly, safely, and with empathy. 

One of the first things I want to build in my classroom is a sense of community. I believe that when students feel connected and respected, they treat others with respect, too - even behind a screen. I plan to start digital citizenship lessons early, helping my students to understand that their actions online are just as real as their actions in person. Kindness and accountability will be our starting point, whether it's leaving a comment on a shared document or responding to a classmate on a collaborative platform. 

Another major goal of mine is to help students become critical thinkers. In today's world, kids are exposed to so much information online—some of it is helpful, and some of it is misleading. I want to guide my students to ask questions like, "Who made this?" "Why did they make it?" and "Is this the whole story?" Even in the younger grades, these questions can become part of how we explore texts, media, and research. If we can get our students to learn to think deeply and question what they see, they'll grow into adults who can make smart, informed decisions online and offline. 

I know that part of digital citizenship is also teaching my students how to set healthy boundaries. I want to create a classroom culture where we check in with ourselves about screen time, talk about how being online makes us feel, and celebrate face-to-face moments, too. I imagine having "tech-free" times during the day, as well as regular conversations about what it means to rest and reset. 

Looking ahead to the future, I know I still have so much to learn, but I'm excited about the opportunity to grow in this area. I want to continue learning about how to include more diverse voices in the digital content we explore, how to communicate clearly with families about tech use, and how to let students help shape our digital norms and expectations. More than anything, I want my students to leave my classroom knowing that their words have power- on paper, in person, and online. I hope to help them build the skills and confidence to use that power for good. 

Teaching the "Hard Stuff" - Uncomfortable but Necessary

Okay, let's get real for a minute - teaching social studies in elementary school isn't always rainbows, butterflies, and unicorns! 😀

Sure, we get to cover fun things like maps, community jobs, and holidays, but what about the "hard stuff"? You know, the parts of history and society that no one enjoys talking about and, quite frankly, can be really uncomfortable, emotional, or just plain old tough to explain. Things like racism, unfair laws, inequality, and conflict. As teachers or future teachers, we may encounter times when we question, Is this too heavy?, Are they too young? How do I even start this topic?. But the truth is, our students are more capable of understanding difficult topics than we often give them credit for - when those topics are approached thoughtfully and age-appropriately, of course. Teaching these hard topics is essential if we want to nurture informed, empathetic, and critical thinkers. 

Teaching our students about difficult topics can be done through storytelling. Picture books, short biographies, and multimedia tools can allow us to present history and social issues in a way that's accessible and powerful. Stories can help to humanize the past and present, helping our students to connect with real people and experiences rather than just concepts. When we talk about difficult events or issues, it is crucial to not sugarcoat or avoid key truths. Our students deserve the truth - they just need it in words that they can understand.

Encouraging our students to ask questions, share their thoughts, and reflect on these topics. Simple prompts can be used like "How would you feel if...?" or "What can we do to make things fair?" This will create space for connections and deeper understandings. Teaching about injustices in history isn't just about learning history facts - it's about helping our students to think critically and compassionately about the world around them. As much as we want to encourage our students to ask questions, we have to allow them time to process and reflect in their own way.   

Teaching the hard stuff is hard, and it isn't about making our students feel overwhelmed - it's about helping them make sense of the world, see themselves capable of making change, and understand that history is not just about the past - it's about how we live and learn today. The more we can approach these topics with care, courage, and trust in our students, the more we empower them to grow into thoughtful, informed citizens.