G'day!
Twitter has certainly given me an avenue to grow as an educator. There is no hiding I love it! What do I love about Twitter?
- Twitter is there, in the palm of my hand, on my phone, tablet and laptop. Accessible.
- Twitter IS accessible, 24/7. Yet, I can control when, how and for how long I access it.
- Tweeple (especially Twitter educators) are passionate, energetic, willing and helpful! You can call on your #pln (more on how to build your #pln and the advantages of a #pln here) for advice, queries, hints, tips and ideas.
- This extension of the "school staffroom" allows for greater voice and wisdom.
- Twitter provides "just in time help".
- Twitter is inclusive. It doesn't matter what sector you are from, what stage of your career, what level of responsibility (or not), retired, CEO, expert, specialist etc #weareallinthistogether
- Twitter allows you contact with the above!
- Twitter has allowed me some amazing opportunities!
- Twitter has allowed me to connect with some of my best buddies. It has provided the conduit for networking and professional connections that have enriched my career.
- Twitter allows you point of contact to collaborate with other educators, students and stakeholders.
- Twitter for me is a source of reflection and inspiration.
- Twitter can easily and rapidly share news, links, ideas and resources.
- Twitter puts me in contact with PD opportunities via links and hashtags (for example, following the backchannel of a conference I cannot attend)
- Twitter introduced to my other love: Teachmeets!
- Twitter = continuous learning and feeding the yearn to know more. What's not to love?
Last year, I gave a guest lecture on "Integrating technology into any classroom" at the Australian Catholic University, Strathfield campus. This included a section on the importance of Twitter for educators. This is the Storify of the twitter chat that ensued: Twitter4me storify (twitter chat on the importance of Twitter)
Here are some resources you may find handy and/or like to share with those new to Twitter.
- Aussie Twitter chats via @7mrsjames (moi)
- Weekly Twitter chats by @thomascmurray @cevans5095 @cybraryman1
- Catholic educators on Twitter via @denise_lomardo
- Aussie teachers on Twitter via KLA started by @danhaesler
- Maralyn Parker "Why teachers love Twitter" via The Telegraph (includes link to my Aussie twitter chats for educators list- Thanks Maralyn!)
- What Twitter offers Teachers by Kathyrn Holmes (AARE: Australian Association of Research in Education)
Keeping the conversation flowing,
@7mrsjames
Jeannette James