The Four O'Clock Faculty by Rich Czyz

Author:Rich Czyz [Czyz, Rich]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-946444-37-0
Publisher: Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.

6

Taking Advantage of Twitter

The problem with quotes on the Internet is that they are often not true.

Abraham Lincoln (Not Verified)

Picture the scene: You’re sitting on your couch in the most comfortable pair of pajamas you own and eating a giant bowl of rocky road ice cream topped with hot fudge and whipped cream. In fact, it’s dark chocolate hot fudge because you know dark chocolate is a healthier option. You settle in for the next hour, but you’re not getting ready to watch your favorite television show or the latest Hollywood blockbuster. You’re about to immerse yourself in a Twitter chat and learn assessment techniques to use with your students tomorrow. These techniques will be shared by other expert educators from around the world who also might be sitting in their own living rooms, in their own comfy pajamas and with their own dessert of choice.

There was a time when such a professional-development opportunity wasn’t possible or even imaginable. But today we live in a world where it happens all the time. Educators can learn anytime, anywhere—even from the comfort of their own home.

The biggest factor that has changed how all of us learn is a tool that some educators are still unwilling to use or are not quite sure about. I fell into social media a few short years ago. I had learned about Twitter at a conference session I attended. I found out that there were other educators out there sharing their ideas with the world. Good ideas. My connection through Twitter was gradual. Whenever I was getting ready to host a staff meeting, I would peruse Twitter to look for some new ideas. Every few weeks I would jump on to see what was shared. Then I discovered Twitter chats, where other educators would gather at a specific time to share about a specific topic. Over time I became a regular, and it has made all the difference.

Discovering Twitter changed my worldview on what is possible in education. The number of great educators who share and reflect upon their own learning has inspired me to no end. On Twitter, I have had the opportunity to connect and share with educators from all over the world and to bring that learning back to my own roles in education.

If you aren’t already on Twitter, take five minutes to create a profile today. If you are already taking advantage of the connections and chats happening on Twitter, spread the word! Whether you are leading a ROGUE PD meetup or hosting “sanctioned” PD sessions, devote some time to showing teachers the power of the Twitterverse. Create opportunities for teachers to share and reflect upon their learning, find resources, or connect with educational leaders near and far. I am convinced that Twitter offers some of the best PD opportunities, and it’s available 24/7. It’s on-demand professional learning at its finest. Here are a few ways you can jump in. (Be sure to bring a few colleagues with you.)

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