Learning Network

At a workshop several years ago, I created a Twitter account.  This account laid dormant until last winter.  We had many snow days, delays and early dismissals due to the weather.  As teachers, we would receive a telephone call and/or email from the district when these occurred.  Many times, parents knew before us.  This becomes frustrating when they would ask us about it and we are clueless.  By chance, I stumbled across the district's Twitter account and found that this was the first place where weather related issues were issued.  I started looking at my Twitter account  more often, especially when the weather was in doubt.

In the spring, I attended a conference in which several speakers made reference to their "hashtag".  Still clueless, I tried finding some of these speakers on Twitter.  I found @PrincipalKafele, who I began to follow.  I slowly started adding more to follow but these were more on the line of sports and friends.  I was hesitant to click on anything with a link.

When beginning this project, I approached my principal in hopes of creating a school Twitter account.  He was hesitant, indicating he wasn't ready for that.  He suggested I contact the PTO.  This is a busy time for our PTO so I decided to update my Twitter account.

When I began, I was following 87.  I typed in key words, followed links, "peeked" at who others were following and began following many different educational links.  I investigated some of the sites suggested by another class.

I updated my profile picture, location and description.  I now have 132 that I am following.  In scrolling through some of these site, I found and shared some things.  One was a spotlight on Snapchat, which my daughter who is a teacher, uses all the time with her friends.  Another was "Social Media Rules for Educators" when I plan to share with my school's staff. 

  

I also found "Ways a Parent Can Help with Math".  I am beginning parents conferences this week and think this will be useful to share with the parents.  I plan to share it with the staff too.

Now that I have "clicked" on some links on Twitter, I am more comfortable investigating some of the posts and plan to continue sharing with the staff and/or parents.  I hope to eventually create a school PLC that will be accessible to the staff at anytime.