In a previous blog I posted about my PLN, or professional learning network. My PLN is where I gather and share professional knowledge with others. I'm working to extend my PLN using social media platforms, and so I've taken part in my first Twitter Chat. Huh- what on earth is that? Twitter Chats are scheduled live chats open to all Twitter users. They're an opportunity to connect with other experts from around the world. As stated in the video "with so many amazing educators online, there's never been a better time to share our collective knowledge." (Common Sense Education, 2017, 0:05).
So how does one join a Twitter Chat? I was overwhelmed by the process, but this is what I've learned. First, find Twitter Chats. The Twitter educational chat schedule is just one way to find a chat. From there pick a chat that looks appealing to you. Once a chat is picked, all that's left to do is sign-in to Twitter at the appropriate time, search the specific hashtag (#formativechat for example), and begin interacting during the live chat. Some chats happen quickly...like my first one! To help manage the chaos I used Hootsuite, a platform used to help organize and integrate social media. With Hootsuite I could better visualize my live chat feeds and navigate Twitter with ease. I strongly recommend it.
The topic of my first chat was implementation and impact of formative assessments. I could use some help with assessments to improve my students' learning so it was perfect. I was nervous- I'd never done one and my first planned chat was a flop! The chat was informative and over before I knew it (it only lasted 30 minutes). I honestly can't wait for my next one, #edtechchat!
References:
Common Sense Education (Producer). (2017). What's a PLN? And 3 Ways Teachers Can Get Connected [Video]. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju54C5A3RCw&feature=youtu.be.
"Social-Media-Ads" by Ndiayebassirou is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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