Social network Benefit as professional development tool Not just about twitter 2 nd focus about student leraning #1 reason for growth in knowledge of technology in education A few things to be ready for if you are going to try twitter Twitter is a social network, similar in some ways to facebook, my space, or youtube. It is a social network that has great potential for you to grow as an educator, whether you are a teacher or an administrator. The benefits that I see from twitter are completely around the idea of professional development. One perception that I think people have of twitter, is that it is just for all of the “techie” teachers out there. That it is a place only about technology. And that is not the case. The educators using twitter are a group of highly motivated and highly passionate teachers who are dedicated to helping students learn. Is technology a part of that learning process quite a bit? Yes, it is, but the main focus for these educators is student learning. If you are interested in helping students to learn, then consider using twitter. Now, even though I said that student learning is the first priority of educators on twitter, I think a very close second is using technology in instruction. Twitter has been the #1 reason for my growth in knowledge and understanding regarding using technology in the classroom. Through twitter I receive ideas on how to implement technology in the classroom. I have learned about new tools that are available to teachers. There are a few things you need to be ready for if you want to start using twitter.
Takes Time for PD Recipient Controlled Email example #1 – TIME: You need to be ready to take some time to use twitter. Professional development takes time. It takes time to go to conferences, network with other educators, read, study, and research. Twitter will take time. What I like about twitter and the time restrictions, is that it is completely recipient controlled. And I am thinking of you the twitter user as the recipient. Unlike email where you HAVE to read and often respond to every email, you can learn from twitter at your pace, and at your own time.
Receive new ideas If you are new, try a website of video If you have more experience, allow your students to work on tool #2 – TRYING NEW THINGS OUT: Be ready to receive new ideas and resources, and to just give them a try. Be ready for some great tools that work well for you, and be ready to fail. You will not be able to try everything, but to get the most benefit you can out of twitter, you will want to try some of the resources you find. You can try a new website that you see as part of your instruction. If you are a beginner at implementing technology in instruction, then just try showing a website or a video in your classroom. If you are a little more comfortable using technology in the classroom, then try allowing your students to work with a tool that you have found over twitter. And I do not care what you have available to you. Whether you have a smartboard or no smartboard, whether the students have access or no access to computers, it does not matter. You will be able to find resources on twitter that you can use in your instruction.
#3 – THE WORD NO: It will not take long to begin following enough people on twitter where you come across the situation where you are receiving more resources, websites, ideas, and articles than you can handle. There will be a point where you have to say no, I can not read this, or no, I can not try this out, or no, I can not look at this website. We don’t have all the time in the world. It is ok to say no.
#4 – SHARING: You will receive a ton on twitter. You can control how much is coming to you, but most likely it will be a lot of receiving. Please share resources and ideas yourself. I know many people who are not very active on twitter as far as posting on their own, they just spend most of their time reading and observing. But even in those situations, every once in awhile, they will share something. Please share.
#5 – CONVERSATIONS: Finally, be ready and be open to having conversations. There are a lot of questions that are asked on twitter, and often you will get a quick response. There is also a lot of encouragement, discussion, and debate. Jump in, be a part of the conversation. VIDEO IS NEXT
To sign up just go to twitter.com and select sign up. If you aren't comfortable using your full name, then just put in your first name. The more honest you are about who you are the easier it is for the right people to find you. Pick a user name that is professional. It could be something that has to do with your name or your job. Since tweets are limited to 140 characters, don't pick a username that is too long. The only other things you need to complete your registration is a password and an email
There are a few symbols that will make using twitter easier. Hashtag- a hashtag is used to identify a topic. For example If I send out information about something that has to do with preschool, I add the hashtags #ece and #preschool so that other people who are interested in early childhood and preschool can easily find my tweet. In the same way I can search #ece and see all of the tweets that have that in them @- the @ symbol is used to reply, or reference another user in twitter or to mention them in a tweet RT- stands for ReTweet. if someone else tweets something that I like I can retweet them for the people who follow me to see
One of the hardest parts of joining twitter is knowing where to start and finding people to follow. To get you started try visiting the TweepML and search for education. Start with the Education PLN Builders. This is a great place to start. This is a list of educators who are very involved in twitter and have lots of great tweets.
You can also find the Twitter follow symbol at many websites. For example, the National Association for Education of Young Children uses twitter, so at their website I was able to find the follow symbol. You can also find the same symbol at blogs. Another great way to find people to follow it to look at who other people you know follow. You can also look at lists other people have created for a topic that might interest you.
Tips from Justin Tarte Spend some time watching and observing others… http://justintarte.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-steps-for-educators-new-to-twitter.html
Your twitter PLN A Global Network of Connected Learners Al Rowell http://prezi.com/bw_uqnyndpcz/twitter-for-your-pln-public/
Work out what you want to get out of Twitter. Put relevant info on twitter Share and share alike Don’t worry about the numbers Be polite David Hopkins http://www.dontwasteyourtime.co.uk/twitter/twitter-tips-for-teachers-educators-2/ AKERSON NEXT
SCOTT AKERSON Black next
DAVE BLACK Helmkamp next
AMANDA HELMKAMP Kara Cornejo next
KARA CORNEJO Josh Sommermeyer Next
ROB JACKLIN
Communicate with experts Communicating with Experts – when burning questions develop during classroom discussions, have students’ develop140 character question to ask a class twitter network expert. This causes students to create clear and concise questions, along with teaching research skills.Read more at Suite101: 12 Expert Twitter Tips for the Classroom: Social Networking Classroom Activities That Employ Critical Thinking http://www.suite101.com/content/12-expert-twitter-tips-for-the-classroom-a139534#ixzz1D305q8zy
What current events? Current Events – use twitter to receive updates of current events in science, math, history, and literature. This removes the classroom walls and allows timely discussions of what is happening in the world outside the classroom. Selected current events are then used for debates and research connected to concepts being studied.Read more at Suite101: 12 Expert Twitter Tips for the Classroom: Social Networking Classroom Activities That Employ Critical Thinking http://www.suite101.com/content/12-expert-twitter-tips-for-the-classroom-a139534#ixzz1D30CXLYG
What current events? Current Events – use twitter to receive updates of current events in science, math, history, and literature. This removes the classroom walls and allows timely discussions of what is happening in the world outside the classroom. Selected current events are then used for debates and research connected to concepts being studied.Read more at Suite101: 12 Expert Twitter Tips for the Classroom: Social Networking Classroom Activities That Employ Critical Thinking http://www.suite101.com/content/12-expert-twitter-tips-for-the-classroom-a139534#ixzz1D30CXLYG
Video of searching on twitter Track a Word: Through Twitter you can “track” a word. This will subscribe you to any post which contains said word. So, for example a student could be interested in how a particular word is used. They can track the word, and see the varied phrases in which people use it. Or, you can track an event, a proper name (I track Derrida for example), a movie title, a store name see how many people a day tweet that they are at or on their way to a Starbucks. (To do this send the message “track Starbucks” to Twitter, rather than posting the update “track Starbucks” you will now receive all messages with the word “Starbucks.”) http://academhack.outsidethetext.com/home/2008/twitter-for-academia/
Ask for recommended books, lesson ideas, or teaching tools. Sample tweet: Can anyone share their successful SMART board lessons for 2nd grade? Sample tweet: What are some good books to read aloud to 4th graders? I switched grade levels this year and need some ideas! http://www.techlearning.com/article/20896
9) Tweet about your school's website, blog and/or podcast. Add a new tweet to let your followers know when you make updates. Announce/Publish your student’s work
9) Tweet about your school's website, blog and/or podcast. Add a new tweet to let your followers know when you make updates. Announce/Publish your student’s work
In the spirit of presidents month. Get a bunch of these tweets Has anyone ever done a historical tweet 5. ‘Time Tweet’ Choose a famous person from the past and create a twitter account for them – choose an image which represents the historical figure and over a period of time write regular tweets in the role of that character, in a style and using the vocabulary you think they would have used (e.g. William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
Get a bunch of these tweets Has anyone ever done a historical tweet 5. ‘Time Tweet’ Choose a famous person from the past and create a twitter account for them – choose an image which represents the historical figure and over a period of time write regular tweets in the role of that character, in a style and using the vocabulary you think they would have used (e.g. William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
Get a bunch of these tweets Has anyone ever done a historical tweet 5. ‘Time Tweet’ Choose a famous person from the past and create a twitter account for them – choose an image which represents the historical figure and over a period of time write regular tweets in the role of that character, in a style and using the vocabulary you think they would have used (e.g. William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
Get a bunch of these tweets Has anyone ever done a historical tweet 5. ‘Time Tweet’ Choose a famous person from the past and create a twitter account for them – choose an image which represents the historical figure and over a period of time write regular tweets in the role of that character, in a style and using the vocabulary you think they would have used (e.g. William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)
Before we get started, I want to get an idea of what tools you have used in your classroom.
What is Algebra Bookmark resources Student accounts Tweeting and google docs
Cybraryman
Will work with ipad Scheduling meetings with other teachers or your department. Students schedule time to work with partners. Schedule presentations for the entire class.
Backchannel Conversation. Gives all students a voice. Answer questions, make decisions, debate, ask questions Gauge student thinking
Backchannel Conversation. Gives all students a voice. Answer questions, make decisions, debate, ask questions Gauge student thinking
Add a QR code to a test for a video you want students to watch. Add it to your athletic, music, or drama programs and parents with smartphones can be directed to more information about the event or the school website.
Social networking site Similar to facebook, so it will be a very familiar format for for students Have conversations, discussions Post questions and have students respond This tool I would take the summer to explore
Sometimes we just have to let go. We don’t have to be experts. Students quick to pick up. Describe Glogster Describe what happened Video
