This document summarizes various social media tools that teachers can use to connect with colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders. It discusses tools for photo sharing (Flickr, Webshots, TeacherTube), social networking (LinkedIn, Ning), microblogging (Twitter), video sharing (YouTube, TeacherTube), blogging (WordPress, TeacherLingo), and podcasting. Specific examples are provided of how these tools can be used, such as sharing photos of school events, creating social networks for special groups, or setting up blogs and podcasts. Teachers are encouraged to explore and experiment with these different social media platforms.

1. Social Media Tools for Teachers Presentation developed by Kelli Nowinsky, Shaun Holloway, Chris Hurtubise, Kevin Pfefferle, Doug Buchanan, Kevin McChesneyScience Education Council of Ohio (SECO)Thursday, February 25, 2010

2. Goal of this presentation: To define social media and look at some cool tools you can use to connect with colleagues, parents and stakeholders.

3. What is Social Media? Social media are electronic technologies and practices that people use to create, collaborateand share content - opinions, insights, experiences, and perspectives - with each other.*What do you think?*Source: Wikipedia

4. Examples of Social Media Tools Wikis: Wikipedia Social networking: LinkedIn,Ning Presence applications: Twitter Video sharing: TeacherTube Photo sharing: Flickr and Webshots Social bookmarking: del.icio.us Blogging: WordPressand TeacherLingo What others are you using?

5. “Twitter in the classroom?”Source: University of Minnesota / YouTube

6. Eight cool tools – and how to use them.

7. Webshots and flickr are photo-sharing sites that provide you and your students with ways to share photos of your school, special events, and memorable programs. You can also post photos to TeacherTube. At COSI, guests can view COSI's Photo Albums or upload their own COSI photos to share them with friends and family.

8. Photos taken by COSI Team, then uploaded to webshots.

9. Your students & families will generate their own content about your school. This photo was taken by COSI Guest Tim Purdue, then uploaded to flickr.

10. Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to stay connected by exchanging frequent answers to the question: "What are you doing?" It’s a great way to share information, websites, and videos fast. You can also send out almost any question and receive advice quickly.

11. Kevin’s Twitter Homepage: Info for students

12. Doug’s Twitter Homepage: Info for teachers

13. TeacherTube is a student-friendly site to watch and share original videos, photos, and audio files with the whole world.

14. Flip videocamera. About $150. You can also follow TeacherTube on Twitter.

15. YouTube has a new “Safe Mode” that removes objectionable content. COSI uses YouTube to get our Guests behind-the-scenes. YouTube Example: What do frogs eat?

16. Ning gives everyone the opportunity to create their own social networks for anything. Ning powers the largest number of social networks on the internet. COSI's Nings include a Camp-In Memory Station for former and current overnight campers and a social network for members of our Education Advisory Board.

17. Ning helps keep our EAB teachers connected.

18. Classroom 2.0 is also a Ning site. It’s free to use.

19. WordpressWordPress is the world’s largest blogging tool, seen by tens of millions every day. COSI's blogs include thoughts from COSI CEO David Chesebrough and road stories from COSI On Wheels.

20. COSI WordPress Blogs

21. You can create your own free blog at TeacherLingo. You can also search for lesson plans by subject and grade level.

22. Use Google to keep tabs on yourself: Set up a Google Alert with your school’s name. You’ll receive a regular email of news, blog posts, and videos that mention YOU.

23. Keeping tabs on yourself: Google Alert for “COSI”Some of the content isn’t relevant, but when it is, you’re bound to learn something new.

24. Podcasting: A podcast is a free video or audio series that you download from the web or iTunes and play on your computer, iPod, or other digital audio device.

25. Audio Podcasting Tools Royalty-free music tracks are available online. About $30. iTunes lets listeners find your podcast and download new editions easily. A digital recorder plugs right into your computer with a built-in USB port. About $100. Desktop audio editing software is easy to use. About $30.

26. So, we’ve:Defined social media and looked at some cool tools. What sites and tools do you use? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

27. Contact us! Kevin McChesneyphsc.physics@gmail.com Doug Buchanandbuchanan@mail.cosi.org