What Is a Connected Classroom? It May Not Be What You Think

I recently attended a session at METC that had the topic of connected schools/classrooms. There was an awful lot of conversation around how teachers/admin could get information out to communities, both local and distant. In fact, I think the conversation was too focused on the sharing of information.

The real value of the internet, in fact of technology in general in the classroom, is not in sharing information or in students having digital tools. The real value is the ability students now have to connect with others outside of their local community. These connections require conversations that are two way (or more.) Posting information does not make your classroom connected. There is nothing wrong with posting information, just don't confuse that with connecting.