Becoming a Connected Educator through the use of Social Media
Educators are leaders and specialists in learning. However, for many years too many educators have been isolated from each other with their students and yet need to continue to be learners themselves in order to best serve the needs of their students. Who do could they learn from? "All educators (and learners) can benefit from extending their own personal learning network online – beyond the walls of their schools, the boundaries of their districts, and the limits of their experience." (Wagner, 2012)
The resources and sites below can aid educators to find connections and support beyond their school and extend their learning network globally.
The resources and sites below can aid educators to find connections and support beyond their school and extend their learning network globally.
Resources to help become a Connected Educator
Twitter is a micro-blogging site and perfect place to connect and share ideas, resources and links with other educators and academics. One of best resources to seeing the potential of Twitter is to attend a Twitter Chat (start by lurking and then join in when ready to contribute to the conversation with your ideas, resources and perspectives. Here is a list of all the Twitter Chats. Resources for Twitter Four Stages of Getting Twitter How Educators use Twitter How to get your first 100 followers How to host a Twitter chat |
Pinterest is an excellent for visual and design ideas for both the classroom and activities. Educator can curate and share a board of their visual ideas and creations for comments, ideas and suggestions. A Teacher's Guide to Pinterest 37 Ways Teachers can use Twitter |
Linked InLinkedIn is a professional networking site that is excellent for showcasing an educator's experience and credentials. It acts like a digital Curriculum Vitae or resume but has opportunities to connect and share ideas with colleagues (and potential colleagues!) In 2016, it might be an essential tool for those seeking employment and/or showcasing their experience. It combines the best of a resume and a portfolio. LinkedIn for Educators |
Other Notable Social Networks
Creating a Teacher blog
Sometimes educators cannot express their ideas and perspectives in a certain number of characters (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Google+) or in visual formats like Instagram, Snapchat or Vine). Blogs allow you to write out your ideas and perspectives in a longer format. (although not too long about 1000 words or your reader might click on the way!)
Why should Educators blog?
Top 100 Teacher blogs
Writing good blog posts
References and Resources
connectededucators.org is an excellent site that "seeks to create a more fully globally connected, evidence-based movement that fosters collaboration and innovation to transform professional learning and effect educational change. Our key goals in service of this vision include:
- Expanding the reach of CEM by growing a global coalition of education stakeholder groups and partners
- Documenting and communicating the measurable impact of CEM and connected education
- Acquiring sufficient resources to achieve year-round sustainability
- Influencing the way professional learning takes place in and out of schools
- Fostering collaboration and innovation within and between education stakeholder groups and partners"