Ferguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 12-15.
Summary: Join the Flock is an article about creating and utilizing professional learning networks. The author explains the benefits of building a professional learning network, also known as PLN. The first benefit is that professionals are coming together to assist in each other’s research and learning. Rather than ‘learning’ on our own, professionals are able to turn to other professionals for assistance.
Professional learning networks take time but the amount of time one dedicates is very flexible. One way to be sure that your time is used effective is to create an interest list. It is important to include interests in the bio section of the twitter account because other people will be able to ‘follow you’ based on similar interests. This helps people connect who have similar ideas and interests. Professionals can also ‘watch’ from a distance and not ‘say’ a word on Twitter. By having a list of ‘followed’ people allows professionals to watch the conversations without feeling the need to directly interact.
Question: I have often viewed Twitter in a negative light. Have people used Twitter for classroom purposes? I wonder how students would react to the idea of Tweeting for a homework assignment. Just like any innovative teaching strategy, I am certain students utilizing Tweeting as a means of homework brings excitement and a little uncertainty. I believe, as a middle school teacher, educators would encounter similar issue with Twitter as one would with a typical type an assignment. There are certain kids who would love the idea of Tweeting and excel utilizing it, whereas other students would struggle. For some families, having a computer creates an issue. Just like at school, some students’ personalities would over power others. All in all, I think it could be a great teaching tool AFTER a long lesson is completed on cyber-bullying and how to communicate appropriately via the cyber world. From the teacher’s perspective, I see this as a wonderful opportunity for the teacher to ‘sit back’ and watch the kids interact with one another.
McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8), 14-17.
Summary: The overall objective of this article is to expose people to twitter and enhance their twitter experience. The author provides 'baby steps' for people use so they can become familiar and comfortable with using twitter. First, a person can 'observe' other people's tweets without commenting because it can be an overwhelming feeling of 'putting yourself out there.' After feeling comfortable with being a part of the tweeting community, start posting comments such as, 'great idea.' This provides the feeling of participate yet does not give too much exposure. Exposing yourself would be the next step. If you find an article or participate in an interesting activity, one can post about it. The last step to increasing your tweeting confidence involves tagging your tweets. By using (#) sign, also known as a hash tag, allows the stream of educators to follow your tweets. Some example hash tags are: #teachers and #educators. Once a person is hash tagging their tweets, some may become addicted to it! Enjoy!
Question: Where do educators find the time to tweet? I, personally, take one day at a time. With all the paperwork that is included with being a special education teacher, meetings, lessons, and how can I forget having a personal life, how does one have the time? I feel if teachers use tweeting int he classroom, we as educators will only be expected to work at night in order to monitor the students' status and posts. I love my job but won't ever do that because I love my personal life also.
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