Comments on: Virtual Friendships

By: Made in Japan | always learning

Made in Japan | always learning — Sun, 03 May 2009 06:49:53 +0000

[...] and chat almost every day, thanks to Twitter, Skype, G-talk, and my RSS reader. Because of these virtual friendships, we were able to take a very unique tour of Japan, stopping in at three schools, staying with [...]

By: mscofino

mscofino — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:45:45 +0000

@mjmonty,

You are definitely connected! I can definitely see how those constant updates can help both you and the families you work with feel more connected. However, it probably is very important to you to keep those postings on FB and Twitter to the more professional side…

By: mjmonty

mjmonty — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:11:11 +0000

Kim-
I have to say that you’re right on with your post here relating to virtual friendships. I am facebook friends with many of the parents of the students that I teach. Some teachers would be really uncomfortable with this, and I can certainly respect their feelings, especially if they don’t understand the power of inter-networking. I find that I’ve become much more sensitive and understanding of the busy lives of the students and families that I work with. When I read a status/twitter update from a parent about “forgetting gym shoes” on their way out the door, I develop an appreciation and sensitivity for how challenging a typical day in the life of a parent can be. Likewise, our parents have commented that they’ve really enjoyed reading my status/twitter updates as well…it makes them feel connected and involved to the school in ways that were not previously possible.

Finally, I find the same things regarding asynchronous inter-connections that you’ve found…they simply strengthen our f2f conversations because they allow us to get to know each other better. In a 5-10 minute f2f conversation, you simply don’t have time to share recent photos, short video clips, or to share the many small triumphs and tribulations that we each experience on a regular basis. But with a facebook profile and a few other tools, you can share these things with many others.

Now I don’t advocate that all my teacher buddies start friending parents and engaging in these conversations. I am a big believer in constructivist learning principles, so I feel strongly that each person needs to interact with these inter-networks in their own personal way. But once an individual does start to get involved, I believe they’ll find many of the same things that you describe in your wonderful post!

By: mscofino

mscofino — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:29:41 +0000

@Julie

I totally agree about balance – I actually intentionally go into the break room for lunch every day just so I can see and talk to people f2f (preferably about things other than technology too!). But, you’re right, I was referring to international connections where f2f is not possible on a regular basis Either way, it’s always a good reminder to aim for balance in your life.

By: Julie Lindsay

Julie Lindsay — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:57:31 +0000

Kim, great post. I think being online has changed the whole way I approach collegiality and learning as a professional educator. However it bothers me that I spend break times online more often than going to the staff room for f2f conversation. There needs to be a balance in your own daily life. on the other hand I know you are talking more about the international connections where f2f is not possible but where online connectivity allows us to get to know a person very well. I love the short snippets of conversations I have each day, just touching base, catching up, asking questions, reaffirming someone is out there listening and willing to respond.

By: mscofino

mscofino — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:24:01 +0000

@Alecia

I definitely think our brains are changing – and (obviously) I think we are creating new definitions of friendship. I certainly consider many of the educators I’ve met online to be my friends, so many of them actually know more about my day-to-day life than my “old” friends. The ability to connect based on ideas, philosophy, and thinking without having to worry about location means I’m able to make friends that I connect with on a deeper level without having to worry about where we are in the world. No longer are my friends only in my neighborhood or at my workplace – now I can make friends with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

By: Alecia Berman-Dry

Alecia Berman-Dry — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:21:26 +0000

I suppose I’m somewhere in the middle of the luddite clan and the early adopter clan. I purposely don’t twitter, I don’t blog every day and I have not formed any close friendships online that do not exist in the real world. That being said, I do have some genial online professional relationships. Because I was born in the “Gutenberg Era” and learned to make friends f2f, I hold onto the belief that there are parts of our brain that need the f2f element in order for a friendship to “hold fast.” During my research about social networking online, I found a lot of articles that look at this phenomenon of f2f interaction that occurs at the brain level and how that differs from online interactions. Not at all to say that our brains do not and HAVE NOT changed. I think they are changing to incorporate new definitions of friendship, especially in the younger children. What’s your take on this?

By: mscofino

mscofino — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:44:56 +0000

@Jabiz

Thanks! Isn’t it amazing the friends you can find online? We truly are tapping into the long tail of interests/beliefs/attitudes – and to me that is so empowering and exciting!

By: Intrepidteacher

Intrepidteacher — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:30:46 +0000

Wow! Kim what a great post. I am still a bit new to all of this, but I am starting to make some great connections and friendships. These new relationships, the ones I value the most, are beyond just education. I am realizing that as I open myself up, I am finding many like minded people.

I also agree with this line: I’ve almost started getting a little irritated with my friends and family that aren’t online with any regularity.

I have more in depth connections with “strangers” online than my closest friends. Very well written thanks. I will send this post to the friends I am annoyed with…

By: mscofino

mscofino — Thu, 22 May 2008 01:55:27 +0000

@Chrissy

So true! I’m already mentally planning a trip to NZ