You will expand your PLN using Twitter!
Rough news: There are mini-assignments due on a weekly basis for this month. This is necessary as the rest of the 10ThingsTechie Team needs you. And for you to see the benefits!Good news: The mini-assignments look more time-consuming than they are. Thing #3 will be easy and fun, so hang in there!!
Why?
We are going to get you connected to mentors by using Twitter.No doubt you have heard Twitter is being used in education. Many educators use it to communicate to their students and parents. Many more are using to it reach out to colleagues virtually.
If you aren't using Twitter as a professional development feed, I'm guessing that:
- you don't have time/haven't had a chance
- you aren't a fan of Social Media
- you don't know how/where to start
@MsVictoriaOlson says it all in a 4:37 minute video I'm asking you all to watch.
Basically, I can help you with the tech but I can't help you with your subject areas. By expanding your PLN, you can 'meet' others who teach your subject, integrate tech, or hopefully both.
How?
Rather than making my own tutorials, I'm sending you the masters (yes, I found this on Twitter Monday morning). Go to this page: The Twitteraholic’s Ultimate Guide to Tweets, Hashtags, and All Things Twitter You can also ask a student or offspring for help!
I already have Twitter
If you have it, that is awesome. You need one for professional use-- separate from your personal account! While some of you have class accounts, I'm not aware of any of you using Twitter professionally but I could be wrong. If you are tweeting out to your class, I highly recommend that it is different.Here are mine (FYI--It is wicked easy to switch between accounts if you have an iPhone, iPod, iPad or other smartphone device. Just click from one to the other.)
@SHSLMCtweets is from the library. I share hours, clubs, bookish links.
@saraksarak is my personal account (I don't use it unless I'm checking on my kid.)
You can only have one email for each account. I used Gaggle for one, Stratford for another, and personal for the personal.
Okay, now what's the assignment?
Rookies Don't freak! It is easier than it looks. It isn't enough to create an account and tweet once or twice. The value comes from using it.
Due Saturday, November 9
a. Create a professional account. Don't be afraid to be 'transparent' meaning visible to the public. There's nothing wrong with being seen as a lifelong learner. Use your 'brand' (recommended in Thing #1).
b. Post 1 tweet out to our hashtag (conversation) so we know you are in! #10thingstechie You can type it in and see my tweets already.
c. Follow me: @SaraKLMS.
Due Saturday, November 16
a. Follow your teammates! Their Twitter names/handles (@******) will be in the #10thingstechie hashtag (which is why you can't put this off to the last minute!).
b. Follow educators in your field or techie people. Follow the people who your followers follow. Follow people who are active (not just tweeted 3 times in the last year). Enjoy getting followers. Block any weirdos (you'll get a couple).
c. Be a Lurker! . You watched the video above, right? Read posts of things you like. Lurk about 3 times a week at least. I can't stress enough how important it is to check in often, even if for 2 minutes. I check on line at the supermarket, waiting for my kid to get out of rehearsal... Twitter is not blocked at school, so "favorite" it and glance at it during a prep period or after school.
When you see a good post you don't want to forget, "favorite it". I'll show you how to access, organize, and share those in Thing #4!
Due Saturday, November 23
a. Be a Participant...or maybe an Author. Jump in! Share good links! Encourage each other! Retweet posts. Don't forget to add the #10thingstechie hashtag. Your momentum will motivate others. Again, do this more than once.
b. Share 1 #eduwin When something awesome happens in your class, tweet it out and add the hashtag #eduwin
Due Wednesday, November 27 (before you enjoy the holiday)
a. Participate in 1 educator chat. #15 on The Twitteraholic’s Ultimate Guide . This is the best! I'm only asking for one (but I hope you'll get addicted!). See this link to find a time/date that suits your needs: Weekly Twitter Educator Chat Schedule Plan ahead.For more more info: 101+ Twitter Chat Groups for Educators: Topical List
d. Post a quick blog about getting started on Twitter. Hopefully you are seeing the potential by now.
Varsity Quality and Quantity! Tweet regularly. Share. Keep that #10thingstechie conversation full. Gather more followers and followees. Check out/share articles about using Twitter. Help support newbies. Write additional posts on your blog. Don't forget to comment on each others' blogs.
All-State Are you already an active user of Twitter for Professional Development? Add a Feed in your Blog showing your tweets. We'd like you to continue tweeting with us, but you can also explore Google+, Facebook, LinkedIn, EduBlog, Edmodo... You can also sit with a teammate who is just getting started.
Appendix on Twitter Chats
I browsed lists and have some suggestions for you to start!Darron, #SciChat, #flipclass
Geralyn #SciChat
Christina #Busedu (1st and 3rd Tuesdays only)
Alyce #collegechat, #collegebound #scholarships
Nancy #spedchat
Mark #musedchat, #edmusic
Marianne #hsmath, #mathchat
Kerith #psychat #sschat
Amy follow #StephenJenkin and @Latinlanguage
Olivia #langchat also check out #spanishteachers
Liz #engchat, #ell, #esl and follow Larry Ferlazzo (@larryferlazzo
Sarah #artsed
Going for 092? #edleadchat, Follow Eric Sheniger (@NMHS_principal)
Everyone and anyone: #smartee (Smart Board), #byotchat, #ccsschat, #edtechchat,
