The universe is expanding. That’s the core of the Big Bang Theory. As the cosmos gets older, everything in it moves apart. Not to delve too much into such esoterica like Hubbles Law, I need to affirm – אני מאמין – I’m a believer. In the last week I experienced something akin to this phenomenon in my own universe. Let’s call it the Virtual Big Bang.
Last Wednesday I participated in the first #jedchat., organized by Dov Emerson, Rabbi Akevy Greenblatt and Rabbi Meir Wexler. What was special about this was its synchronicity. Dozens of Jewish educators from around the globe simultaneously came together on twitter to build a new professional learning network. This real-time inaugural conversation focused mostly on introductions and general brainstorming about how to use twitter to grow this nascent PLN. Suggestions for the topic of this Wednesday’s (November 2nd at 9:00 PM eastern time) were thrown out. We are all anxiously awaiting the result of the online poll that will ultimately determine what we’ll tweet about.
Then, earlier this week I took part in a Google+Hangout, initiated by Miram Brosseau, focusing on the bridge that is being constructed between technology and experiential education. If you haven’t yet experienced a G+Hangout, you should. All it requires is a Google+ account, a quick and painless browser plug-in download, a webcam and yalla…you’re in. Video conferencing is old news, I know, but what G+ seems to have done is created a free and seamless environment for folks (up to 10 at one time, according to Google!) to come together to explore and learn together. What was exciting about this hangout experience was that it expanded my PLN that has, up to this point been, in a large way twitter based. Now, these tweeting encounters are being enhanced by virtual f2f encounters that deepen the educational experience. And it’s always fun to see the face and hear the voice behind the tweet.
We’re in the midst of a process of learning and development. As we all know, technology has the tendency of not working at the most inopportune time. At a hangout I facilitated last week we found ourselves gazing at each other while using the phone – one of our participants had microphone issues. But you know, that’s okay. Let’s call it growing pains.
For the past few years there has been a lively discussion about the nature of community in the 21st century. What does it mean to be part of a group of people who may never physically meet? What are the ramifications of non-f2f encounters that take place in the cloud? Paradoxically, as social networks evolve and expand, (like galaxies moving through space), we individuals are drawing closer. The technology that expands our worlds is becoming the very tool that brings us together.
Boom.
Peter Eckstein began his career a Jewish educator in 1982 on Kibbutz Ketura, working with children of all ages and serving as the kibbutz Education Coordinator. In 1993 upon returning to the U.S. he became the Director of Education and Programming at Temple Israel in West Palm Beach. Currently he is the Director of Congregational Learning at Temple Beth David in Palm Beach Gardens. In addition, serves as the Technology Integration Educator for the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education.He was very active with the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education as programming co-chair, Shabbat chair and conference chair for several conferences. He has taught professional development for educators, Judaic adult education classes, and the Palm Beach County’s “Introduction to Judaism” course for those seeking to become part of the community. He is specializing in teaching educators how to integrate Education Technology into the Jewish classroom. He has also served on the faculty at URJ Camp Coleman as an informal Jewish educator.Peter is fascinated by how technology and experiential education will aid in the transmission of Jewish awareness to the next generations
Latest posts by Peter Eckstein (see all)
- Bringing the Sand Home – Take Aways From the RealSchool Summer Sandox - July 22, 2013
- Playing in the Sand: Getting Ready for the RealSchool Summer Sandbox - July 7, 2013
- Swimming Lessons - March 4, 2013