What Connected Educators Do Differently
Getting Connected: What it Means and Why it Matters
On a given weekday evening, after my girls are tucked into bed, lunches are packed for the next day, and dishes from that night’s dinner are washed, it is time for me to ‘unwind’ from the day. This can mean watching a little television with my husband in the basement, reading a book in bed, or opening up my laptop at the kitchen island and logging on to twitter and connecting and learning from other educational leaders throughout the world! Frequently, I choose twitter because it serves as a wealth of knowledge, insight, and inspiration that motivate me to be a better “lead learner” in my role as an elementary school principal.
I recently tweeted out one of my favorite quotes from the book as I saw a direct connection to our mission at Dunlap Grade School and our role as modeling lifelong learners for our students. This quote reminded me that it is not simply enough to put the mission on our data centers or repeat it at morning meeting, but to live it. For me, that means reading and developing as a professional using twitter and other outlets to grow my PLN.
I hear frequently that individuals aren’t interested in social media or don’t want to share their personal lives on a public platform. I have a Facebook account and I see that platform fulfilling the role of posting personal pictures of family vacations, gymnastics meets, and evenings at the park. Twitter does not serve that same role for me. Twitter connects me to my personal (and professional) learning network (PLN) of individuals I have connected with that post relevant and current information, articles and resources regarding topics that are interesting and pertinent to my field. Where Facebook connects me to friends and family, Twitter connects me to leading professionals in ways that give me the tools and network to be a better leader.
“What Connected Educators Do Differently” was written by three educators that embrace the use of social media, specifically Twitter, to connect and engage with other professionals. Todd Whittaker, Jeff Zoul and Jimmy Casas wrote the book to give insight into the importance of connectedness and how Twitter is used as a means to connect. Their book provides rationale for the use of Twitter in addition to walking novice users through the tricky terminology and logistics that turn some people away after initial encounters. Hashtags, Twitter Handles, and EdCamps are all explained and resources are provided to expand the readers’ understanding of the concepts (I’ve listed some of their suggested educators to follow at the end of this review). If you are new to Twitter, it is a fabulous resource to help you navigate the unfamiliar waters. If you are “fluent” with Twitter, the book still offers ideas, recommendations, and resources to help make your experience even more powerful!
So, Why Twitter to develop and grow professionally? The authors of the book would indicate:
- Improved Effectiveness
- Connectivity on a global platform
- Expansive collaboration
- Encouragement and tools for continuous improvement
- Individualized and current professional learning
- Means of support by reducing teacher/administrator isolation
- Models the use of social media in meaningful and effective ways
“Connected educators see lifelong learning as their mission: to not only serve as lifelong learners, but also to model lifelong learning for their students”
The authors do acknowledge that Twitter is not the only social media platform that can connect educators and that face-to-face collaboration still plays a vital role in our work as educators. They stress that regardless of what platform collaboration occurs that it is done with passion and pride.
Other modes for connectedness could include:
- Blogs
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Pinterest
- Voxer
- GoodReads
- Google
Some tips from the authors for moving forward with twitter:
- Grow a PLN by following professionals and organizations in the field of education. This may mean ‘lurking’ on pages and reading information without formulating your own tweets initially and that is ok. Some professionals to follow initially include:
- @joesanfelippofc
- @cristinazimmer4
- @plugusin
- @techintatodd
- @Teachbaltshaw
- @toddwhittiker
- @casas_jimmy
- @jeff_Zoul
- @Thomascmurray
- @mariagalanis
- @LTaylorELA
- @joe_Mazza
- @DaisyDyerDuerr
- Use twitter to engage in the Three C’s: Communication, Collaboration, and Community. At Dunlap Grade, that may mean participating in weekly #royalreflection discussions, posting your PLC thoughts and insights at #dgslearns, or sharing your own reading reflections at #dgsreads.
- Participate in a Twitter Chat! These are typically held in the evenings and revolve around a particular topic or concept. I’ve been able to meet people from across the country and garnish their ideas to inspire me and use at DGS.
I’d love to support you in your journey in developing your own personal/professional learning community. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. If you have other ideas for how we can better function as connected educators at DGS, I’d love to hear those as well!