I started using Twitter a few years ago as a method of posting mini blog entries on my own personal blog. When I redeveloped the Teacher Technologies site I decided, for much the same reason, that it might also be a good idea to create a Twitter feed for the site. So @techertechnol was born. (@Teachertechnologies was too big and @teachertech was taken)
Little did I know how much the world of Twitter would change things for me! My personal account allows me to follow my favourite celebs and pals – all very entertaining and informative but nowhere near as cool as using Twitter for professional reasons. I started to look for like minded ed-tech teachers and found a whole world full of them! I follow teachers from the UK, America and Australia. Every morning when I turn Outlook on I now have to check my email (as usual) and my Tweets (with the help of TwInBox). The result is that the first hour of my day (more at times) is taken up with my following links to really exciting blog posts, resources and ideas. Sometimes I spend my morning sitting in on a web conference with a group of American teachers discussing a key topic about learning in the 21st Century.
As a direct result of my joining Twitter I have:
- Taken part in the @SimpleK12 blog swap and created what was a very engaging and interesting connection with a Maths teacher from North Penn High School in America. We were able to really help each other- sharing good practice and creating some reciprocal free professional development.
- Been invited to (and attended) a web conference about Mobile Phones in the classroom.
Webex Conference on Mobiles
- Popped into a discussion on Technology in Education. Whilst drinking my morning coffee I listened to American teachers discussing the issues they face in their classroom. They discussed familiar topics about how they begin to change the culture amongst some teachers that tech is too hard to use. I came into the discussion quite late but by being there I was introduced to Vokle an amazing web conference tool that’s totally free! Thank you @Sloane for organising the whole thing!
VOKLE - Conference with teachers from all over the world
- Found over 25 excellent resources to use in my classroom
- Read numerous articles that I have been directed to by other professionals
- Been inspired by teachers from all over the world and reassured by the fact that we’re all discussing the same things – despite our geographical location.
I really wished I’d started Tweeting professionally ages ago! The whole experience is incredibly inspiring and informative. I’m slowly building professional relationships with people I would not otherwise have had the opportunity to share information with. I’m developing my own PLN – Personal Learning Network. Have you tried it yet?
If you’re new to Twitter professionally then follow these instructions to create an account. Come and find me @teachertechnol and we can see who we can introduce you to!
As its Friday here are my #fridayfollow ( A little Twitter Friday tradition – Follow Friday) Add these guys to your follow list to get started with some great ideas, links and conference opportunities:
Don’t forget to add me @teachertechnol too!
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