Well, in looking at the list of suggested social networking sites- I have accounts on almost all of them, so I guess I am a social networker! :)
-Facebook. While I use this tool mainly to stay connected with family and friends miles/states away, I enjoy the PLN pieces that I am getting more and more off of Facebook. I find myself more often seeing ideas pop up from various educational pages that I have "liked" on Facebook and seeing great resources. I am able to instantly go directly to links and such, and share with other teachers. I can see a question or scenario posted and teachers from around the US or even World respond with their advice/opinions. Quick and easy ways to get a very diverse components for my students and me.
-Pinterest. WOW. As much as I want to think that Pinterest takes creativity out most things, I can't remember life before it. Just when I need an idea for my classroom or lesson that I am planning, Pinterest can almost always help me find just what I need. Everything from label ideas to exact CCSS lesson ideas. I have found many great ideas through Pinterest and other people's boards.
-Google+. Now this is one of my "new" tools. I have not really figured out the purpose behind this tool. However, I feel with time I will get it figured out.
-Twitter. I am slowly getting the hang of Twitter, and yes- I am liking it! I am not successful in finding resources through this tool. However, through the networking I have done so far amazing articles are popping up in my account. I have many followers that I do now know, and that still makes me uneasy. However, in the big picture I am thrilled to say I have a hashtag for my students' parents and plan to try to keep Tweets for my parents at least weekly. I am curious to see if I get any feedback from my parents regarding my hashtag.
-Twiducate. As many of you already heard me share about Twiducate, this is almost like a social networking tool for your classroom. I am IN LOVE with this tool. I wish I knew about it in August. I currently have one of my two classes "Tweeting" in regards to a question that I post. Some of my students who tend to be quiet and few words to share... are writing my longest posts. Students are EXCITED to type, which means they are EXCITED TO WRITE! (they don't even realize I have tricked them) I am anxious to continue to build the use of this tool within my classroom.
-http://ipadeducators.ning.com I am not really sure what I have set up with this Ning... however I like what I am seeing. I looked through the options posted within blackboard and thought this specific Ning was perfect. Each teacher in our building has an iPad, and I am constantly feeling like I should be doing more with my iPad for my students. I am anxious to see what posts come from this new connection!
When I specifically think about certain groups of students with in my classroom, I can see so many pros to all the networking tools I have and am connected to. I feel like I have endless options for resources at my fingertips. I just need a better way to keep all my resources organized and easier to navigate. However, I am so thankful to be teaching in an era that is so technology rich and to have the knowledge of how to obtain so many great resources for my students. I am getting more comfortable with taking on some of the technology tools and pushing them into my current daily routines.
I located this following link that gives many great ideas about social networking in classrooms. A Guidebook for Social Media in the Classroom
I have read your posts about Twiducate, and you have me extremely excited about it now too. I haven't had the chance to look at it much, but it sounds awesome! I may be coming to you with more questions once I get started. It sounds like your students are having a blast with it. Do the questions you post tend to be more like an exit ticket or more just to get them talking?
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize my "reply" wasn't going under "reply". So I am just writing here so you may get an email notification :) A more detailed post is under this post! :)
DeleteI am simply posting questions that do not have a right or wrong answer at this point- just getting the student familiar with where to type and expectations. They complete their post or "Tweet" in their words, before doing part of a center rotation. I plan to post questions like "Using a contraction in your sentence, what is your favorite food?" Things like that. Currently, they are SOOOO excited to get on to type- they have NO IDEA they are "writing" because there isn't a pencil and paper involved! LOL!! It has been fun. I have both of my classes on, after today. I do regret setting up two classes under "one class code". I will not do that next year- but for now, it will work until May! Ask away! It is E-A-S-Y!!!
ReplyDeleteYou have come up with a lot of great links. I agree that sometimes it is overwhelming the amount of things out there available for us to use!
ReplyDeleteI had heard so much about twiducate from a certain dark haired boy in your room! It is great to see the excitement from the kids about technology!! What they don't know is that they are actually learning... that is the best kind of learning to me:)
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