Echoes and Influence…
I have had many influences in my educational career, some more than others, that have and continue to challenge my development as an educational practitioner. My Master’s program has widened my “sphere’s of influence” as stated by Sharon Peters. However, in regards to the echo chamber effect, I will state the following without hesitation;… I do not choose to engage with others that have similar views than I do on a regular basis. Let me clarify. I choose, by nurture or nature, to be the devil’s advocate. I enjoy reading and engaging those persons who are outside of my conventional wisdom (whatever that is). I am not a rebel, I desire instead to wade through epistemology! You have heard the saying…”You cannot find the answer because you haven’t asked the right question.” I just believe that there are too many variables, contexts, etc. to be able to answer that concise question… Just examine the end of any project or thesis paper…”further study needed….” 
I would make either a rather excellent or terrible Math teacher. I suspect the latter!
By the way, if you know of a person, book or paper in the area of education that has changed your professional life profoundly, leave a comment.
Yet aren’t we as educators that advocate teacher’s utilizing these educational technologies also outside of the echo chamber? Devil’s advocates against traditional pedagogy? Many of you have often heard the following (paraphrased) words from many of those eldest of educators “Have you noticed that kids today seem different?”, and you want to scream, “Why haven’t you!”
I have heard the above comment from elder educators throughout my career. Now more than ever. Educational technologies we have studied in class are just one set of tools I believe we need in our belt to develop our best practice. I believe we always will need to grow and encourage others to do the same to engage our students. “Further study needed….”
Hi Shaun. In response to your question, I have been influenced by Dr. Richard Elmore from Harvard University. His work on accountability is premised on a framed balance of teacher and student in the presence of content. It is this latter concept which leads to a discussion of who owns the learning. And further, what role does technology play? This conversation contributed to my understanding of the significant role that technology plays in the democratization of learning – the very essence of public education. Public education is for all learners, and technology makes learning more accessible for all. My Meme: Passion Quilt blog post speaks to this same issue. So when you posted your comment challenge I just had to respond.
Cindy
[...] lines of thought, as I’ve read many of the recent posts from the members of EC&I 831. Shawn Loepky mentioned that we often hear comments from some of our colleagues about today’s students [...]