Leaning To Be A Terrific Tweeter!

I have participated in to Twitter chats. (TweetChats)

TweetChat #1: PBL and Personalized Learning

My first chat was on problem based learning using the #plearnchat hashtag. I didn't plan on joining this chat until five minutes before it started. I decided to search hashtags that were nearby me and this one popped up. I was very excited to start my Twitter chat.  Luckily I had dinner in front of me and was ready for the next hour to chat! 

I've learned about problem based learning but I was excited to learn different strategies that others have used in problem based learning (PBL).   This chat was a bit smaller than my second one so it was easier to keep up. I wish they would have prompted the questions beforehand so I would've been ready to answer more quickly. Overall I gain followers in the mediator of the Twitter chat actually knows my professor! 

TweetChat #2: SAMR Model

My second chat was a bit bigger it was using the hashtag #edtechchat. I was excited to see that my classmate was doing the chat with me. The chat was about the SAMR model. The mediator was @teachintechgirl. 

I was able to gain a lot of followers as well as Google docs that everyone shared with apps and resources! This one was extremely helpful as far as receiving information to use in the future. I was even in the same chat with a district teacher I have never met before. Now we are friends! 

I didn't attend my faculty meeting the Friday before and I found out that my school was teaching other teachers about the SAMR model. 

Little did I know I was doing my own professional development on an important topic at our school!  How cool is that? 

What Was Challenging? 

•I wish the chat would have laid out the questions beforehand so I was ready for the prompts. 

•I didn't use Tweet Deck for my first chat since I was out and about. I wish I would've been in front of the desktop to use TweetDeck. It was actually nice to see the comparison during chats. I was glad I used the tweet deck for the bigger chat anyways. 

•I kept forgetting the # so I had to delete and repost with the hashtag. It was very frustrating! 

Positive Side

•I gained a lot of followers that would follow me back. 

•I learned that the educational technology world is big yet small at the same time. I found nearby people that are in the same radius and district asked me to collaborate with. 

•Tweeters shared documents for me to save in Google Docs on the topic. 

•I am more confident doing Twitter Chats then I was from day one. 

•I'm able to flow through chats easier. 

•TweetDeck is my best friend!

Future:

•I'd love to host one! 

What would you like to host?

Up, Close & PLN

This week I will be reflecting back six weeks.  It is amazing how much information I have learned in about  47 days.  I will admit proudly that I cannot STOP talking about technology trends.  I have so much information to share with others.  I am now that tech friend who can share some great information.

I have decided to create a Symbaloo!  This year my technology teacher introduced Symbaloo  to our staff and students.  I quickly fell in love with how it was set up.  I decided to use this website because of how easy it was to add, sort, find and click.  Students in her classroom are able to play the games and go the website from the comfort of their home as well. 

My Symbaloo


In my PLN, here are a have used:
Twitter @MissAshBurton
Twitter is hands down the easiest way to grow followers in my PLN.  I have found co-workers that work in my district to people across the world.  I even found a website that was shared in my #edtechchat that was written by a fellow Ladue co-worker in the district.  Twitter is a big, yet small world!

Pinterest

Pinterest has always been a favorite for me.  I am an avid pinner.  I am not ashamed to say that I use it daily.  I pin almost every day.  It is my go to information source.  I can find any lesson plan or idea for teaching on Pinterest.

Feedly
I have grown to really like Feedly.  I added my classmates blogs to my Feedly account.  It is a great place to find my blogs I am following quickly.  I am just a click away to reading my favorite posts.

Skype
I have not used Skype in the classroom but I use Skype for connecting with my family and friends.  My friends do not have IOS devives so Skype is a great option.  I am excited to Skype educators from my PLN.  I have actually had one of my Twitter chat monitors offer to Skype about SAMR with my school. The possibilities are really endless!!

Diigo

Lastly, I wanted to share my love for Diigo.  I would not survive my MET program without it!  It really saves time for me.  I bookmark anything that was shared within my courses and classmates.  It will always be there for me when I need it.  I enjoy the cloud/hashtag feature.  I break all my bookmarks into categories for every class and objectives.  It really is a life savor!!

I am so pumped to continue monitoring and growing my PLN each & every day!  

Pinning for PLNs

Week 5: Social Networks & PLNs (Professional Learning Networks)

This week I was asked to explore one to two social networks I can use for my PLN.  I was excited that I could actually use Pinterest as a part of my homework.  It is nice to see all my pins are going to pay off as a grade ;).

EdTech Pinterest Ecard

• Pinterest: My Pinterest Board

I use Pinterest daily.  Every time I have an idea, I use my Pinterest App.  It is seriously my go to tool for lesson plans, diy projects, fitness motivation, etc.   

I love using my diigo for bookmarking but I am more of a visual person.  For example, I needed to pull games for first grade math fluency.  I went straight to Pinterest.  I found an abundance of lessons, games, anchor charts and materials.  I did not need to look any further!

I have found many great pinners I love to check out for educational purpose.  Here are some great Pinners to follow:

Sarah Paul & WeAreTeachers

To get started on your Pinterest, check out A Quick Guide for Pinterest.   To start growing your network on Pinterest, check out a Pinterest Board that ironically is called: Reasons to Use Pinterest for Education.

• Pinterest Positives:

1. I was blown away by the random followers that have followed me.  
2. I have saved so much time by seeing all the creative projects to borrow and steal, instead of reinventing the wheel.
3. I can plan a whole wedding, house, and classroom! (Who knew I could do that in 2015?)
4. I did not realize until now that my pinning has paid off for growing professionally as an educator.  Each time I pin or follow someone board,  I am increasing my PLN.

On a closing note, I saw that teachers can use Pinterest for inspiration boards for students to create individually.  Has anyone seen one of these complete?

Has anyone else tried Ning?  I am dedicating part of my weekend to explore more!  I was a bit intimidated by it! :)