Saturday, December 22, 2012

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Chat Archive 12/15/2012


Twitter though just a tech tool is a means to connect to others. Many find a community too.

In preparation for our chat on Saturday input was reviewed and questions for the chat were firmed up. Barb and I met early Friday morning at 8am EST, Nick and I talked at 9:20 am EST (Dec 14th). - All set for Saturday morning's chat!

Very shortly after our Friday morning discussions, the tragedy in Newtown Connecticut occurred. Lives were shattered throughout Newtown. The devastation that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary became known.

On Saturday, as the chat began it seemed that all participants instinctively knew these things -
  • We were not sticking to a set of questions
  • The clock was not important
In this chat, we were educators- teachers, administrators, support staff, school community members. We were parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, grandparents.
  • We listened 
  • We grieved 
  • We empathized
  • We shared prayers
  • We encouraged each other
  • We thought of positive steps
  • We offered hope

As noticed in this tweet which was sent out actually as part of a different chat, 'If digital community is real community, then it is ok to grieve together'.


Wikipedia defines community this way
The word "community" is derived from the Old French communité which is derived from the Latincommunitas (cum, "with/together" + munus, "gift"), a broad term for fellowship or organized society.
We are just starting out as an online chat. It has only been 5 weeks. Already though - we see community.

  • It is there when you need it 
  • It offers just in time support 
  • It gives you a chance to lend a helping hand
  • Each person is important, has a role and gifts to share
  • Collaboration is important
  • Together we are stronger
What an honor to have met and connected with so many great educators in such a short time!

Archive in full on Storify
http://storify.com/ncara/catholicedchat-archive-12-15-12
Archive as a slideshow


Tweet shared at the beginning of chat-

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Questions 12/15/12



  1. What positive steps can we take in schools in light of the recent tragedy in Sandy Hook?
  2. How can social media be used in a positive way in light of this tragedy?
  3. Classroom Collaboration
  4. What kinds of artifacts can we share from schools this Advent, Christmas?

Friday, December 14, 2012

Prayers for the Sandy Hook Tragedy

This was shared on Fr. James Martin SJ's Facebook page. It is a prayer that some may think on as they try to make sense of the tragedy at Sandy Hook.



We are crushed with grief, God.
We cannot bear to think of so many people killed.
We cannot bear to think of children being killed.
It is unthinkable to us, the worst tragedy.

Children.

Where were you, God?
How could you let this happen?
Why is your world like this?
We are sad and angry and confused.

But God, we know that you know what it means to have
A child die.
For your Son died a violent death.

And we know that your Son understands grief.
For he wept bitterly when his friend Lazarus died.
And he was moved with compassion when he saw suffering.
His heart broke like our hearts do.
He cried like we do today.

We know too that your Son raised Lazarus from the dead.
And that you raised your own murdered Son from the grave,
As a sign of the eternal life you have planned for us.
The life into which you now place the victims, whom you loved.
And love.

We know that you understand our terrible anguish.
You accept our bitterness and our confusion too.
And we know that your Son is beside us, weeping with us.

We know that you are still with us God, in the darkness.
In our compassion for the families and friends of the victims.
In the love that moves us to care for one another.
In the anger that drives us to put an end to violence,
As your Son tried to do in his time with us.

Most of all, eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Collaboration Resources






Online collaboration is becoming more and more a part of today's teaching and learning environment. At last week's #CatholicEdChat collaboration resources were shared.

Join in and connect with other Catholic Educators!
  1. Catholic Educator Ning - Online community 
  2. Advent Wiki - Join to connect w/other teachers
  3. Student Produced News - Classrooms sign up here
  4. Edmodo - Teacher Community
  5. Skype Wiki - Connect via Skype Directory
  6. Twitter List - Teachers on Twitter
The technicalities matter a lot but the unifying vision matters even more. T. Nelson





Saturday, December 8, 2012

Friday, December 7, 2012

Chat Questions 12/8/2012

From last week's chat we gathered questions for this week's discussions.

It is great that so many are joining in the conversation! See you on Saturday 9am EST.


  1. How was your week? What successes or new resources would you like to share? (Celebrating, Creativity, Sharing, Tech) 
  2. Let's talk about collaborative projects.  In what way can your school connect with other classrooms? Advent projects? Christmas week? (Collaboration and Connecting with other classrooms)
  3. Have you heard that the Pope is on twitter? How does his presence on twitter make a positive difference to others? (In the News)
  4. Is your school on twitter? on social media? How can they benefit if so? (Leadership, Development)