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Twitter it a valauble tool in education. Prior to my technology course I never felt a need or even understood Twitter. However, after you (Alice Keeler) showed us all of the benefits the networking site offers, I think it is a vital tool in education. Not only does Twitter help with networking it provides lessons, ideas, etc.
I've tried Twitter a few times, but I just never really get into it. I have a few Facebook groups that I like, and for me those are useful for sharing resources and finding interesting stuff. But what I did this year that really helped rekindle my passion was start a blog about civics education. Constantly writing about it keeps me thinking about it and keeps me from getting stagnant and lazy.
I am passionate about being an innovative educator and continuing to develop best practices for using technology in my classroom. I am a faithful participate of Classroom 2.0 Live most Saturday mornings. I have learned so much about how to integrate technology tools into my lessons from these weekly webinars. I have also learned how to multitask during the sessions by sharing links and chatting with other participants. I have found some wonderful educators in the chat room to add to my PLN on Twitter and other online social media sites. We have brainstormed projects and set up ways to connect our classrooms.
I have also participated in the K12 Online Conference, The DEN Virtual conferences, the Reform Symposium, the Global Collaboration, and watched lots of conference sessions that are being streamed on sites like ustream. If I am available in the evening I attend the talks you host. You could say that I'm an on-my-own-PD freak. I love that I can access these wonderful PD opportunities for FREE from the comfort of my home (often in my pj's). I am also taking courses to earn a Master's in Educational Technology Leadership. (I will finish in December.)
Don't get me wrong, I love attending conferences in person. I can't wait to get to EduBloggerCon and ISTE in Philadelphia to meet up with my PLN members face to face and continue the conversations and collaborations we started this year online.
All of my online connections are leading to more opportunities for me to present to others either in person or online. Since I am so familiar with tools like Elluminate and WebEx from the participants' side, it was not too scary to become a presenter using these same tools. I look forward to continuing my learning journey and I thank you for making so many of these opportunities available to those of us who truly are lifelong learners.
Twitter for me too. I found it all overwhelming and confusing at first but it has allowed me to find loads of new and exciting resources and ideas. But more than that it has allowed me to be part of the global conversation. This in turn has increased my confidence and my enthusiasm which has, I hope, made me a more effective teacher. It has also made me happier in my work and therefore happier all around.
There are so many more things I want to do. I am so looking forward to my holidays to allow me to investigate what I can do next!
I have widened my horizons and have participated in webinars from Classroom2.0, Future of Education, Teachers Teaching Teachers, Seedlings, Discovery Education, eSchool News, and SimpleK12. I learn so much from the presenters, but even more satisfying is connecting with individuals in the chat. When some one positively responds to a comment I have made, it excites and empowers me and makes me feel I have value. In addition, I have become aware of so many amazing resources from the links dropped into the chat. I also have found many archived webinars that are of great value. Now, folks in my school are finally listening, and our professional development chair is committed to including participation in live/ and or archived webinars as viable options for professional development including receiving CEU's.
Finally, I am so pleased that interviews on Classroom2.0 with two different teachers were, in part, scheduled because of recommendations from me. That makes me feel as if I have some value as a contributor and not just a receiver of such great professional development.
© 2019 Created by Steve Hargadon.
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