This month marks the 3rd annual Connected Educators Month, and there are activities around the world linking teachers with each other for professional growth and learning.
My first question to you is the title for this post "Are you connected?" If you are reading this post, then either you are or someone you know felt the need to share this with you hoping you would get connected. Connected Educators Month was born out of the Department of Educations Connected Educators initiative a few years ago and has exploded into a global movement. Traditional professional development usually involves some prescheduled seminar on an isolated topic that has little meaning or benefit to most of those attending. Connected educators are able to get the information and tools they need when they need it. It does not require speaker for hire or a day set aside just for learning.
One of the most beneficial tools for connecting is Twitter. Most people are initially reluctant to use Twitter because they don't understand how powerful it can be. With hashtags (or for those of you old school people the pound sign #) you are able to categorize posts. What makes this extremely useful is the ability to search by hashtags or follow specific hashtags using other tools like Hootsuite. When you post something on Twitter, include a hashtag that describes the topic. For example, if you are posting something related to educational technology you might include #edtech in your post. If more than one hashtag fits use more than one, but don't go too far like they do in this video clip.
Twitter chats are my favorite way to use Twitter. Using a designated hashtag, like #edchat, #satchat, or #oklaed entire conversations occur over the course of an hour. These conversations are moderated and the moderator will post questions, allow time for answers and redirect the conversation as needed. The CybraryMan, Jerry Blumengarten, has a schedule of many of the known Twitter Chats linked on his website, as well as a list of many education hashtags you can follow.
If you would like more information on becoming a Connected Educator or expanding your connections, go to the Connected Educators website and download the Starter Kit. This will help you find many other ways to connect with other educators and develop your own network. It will also help you build and gather more tools for your classroom.
My first question to you is the title for this post "Are you connected?" If you are reading this post, then either you are or someone you know felt the need to share this with you hoping you would get connected. Connected Educators Month was born out of the Department of Educations Connected Educators initiative a few years ago and has exploded into a global movement. Traditional professional development usually involves some prescheduled seminar on an isolated topic that has little meaning or benefit to most of those attending. Connected educators are able to get the information and tools they need when they need it. It does not require speaker for hire or a day set aside just for learning.
One of the most beneficial tools for connecting is Twitter. Most people are initially reluctant to use Twitter because they don't understand how powerful it can be. With hashtags (or for those of you old school people the pound sign #) you are able to categorize posts. What makes this extremely useful is the ability to search by hashtags or follow specific hashtags using other tools like Hootsuite. When you post something on Twitter, include a hashtag that describes the topic. For example, if you are posting something related to educational technology you might include #edtech in your post. If more than one hashtag fits use more than one, but don't go too far like they do in this video clip.
Twitter chats are my favorite way to use Twitter. Using a designated hashtag, like #edchat, #satchat, or #oklaed entire conversations occur over the course of an hour. These conversations are moderated and the moderator will post questions, allow time for answers and redirect the conversation as needed. The CybraryMan, Jerry Blumengarten, has a schedule of many of the known Twitter Chats linked on his website, as well as a list of many education hashtags you can follow.
If you would like more information on becoming a Connected Educator or expanding your connections, go to the Connected Educators website and download the Starter Kit. This will help you find many other ways to connect with other educators and develop your own network. It will also help you build and gather more tools for your classroom.
Comments
Post a Comment