Pre-twitter: I felt isolated because at times no peer could relate to specific teaching issues.
With Twitter I find people with similar teaching issues. I feel isolated no more.
Pre-Twitter: I might be the only one with a specific mind-set on an issue.
With Twitter I seek out those with a similar mind-set.
Pre-Twitter: My educational relationships were built within the building I worked.
With Twitter I build relationships not only within my building but with educators worldwide.
Pre-Twitter: At times I found it difficult to find answers to specific questions.
With Twitter I can ask and have several answers almost immediately.
Pre-Twitter: My PD was done on specific days of the year.
With Twitter PD happens daily.
Pre-Twitter: My education mind-set was slow to change.
With Twitter my thinking is challenged and pushed constantly. (Thanks to Jabiz Raisdana @intrepidteacher and Justin Stortz@newfirewithin for pointing this out.)
I found this post via @ShellTerrell on Twitter, and will be sharing it with my university students next week. I'll be introducing them to the concept of a personal learning network, and showing how I use Twitter every day as part of my personal learning environment.
ReplyDeletePD on specific days of the year only...can you imagine! How did we get anything done before we worked out how to connect and collaborate?
@Nunavut_teacher,
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. As an admin you can feel really isolated at times. Just as important, I have found people I have come to respect even though our views are very different. They have pushed my thinking.
I think the best part for me is your last point, I am doing daily pro-d. There are so many amazing educators out there that are making me think about what I am doing and rethinking some of the the things that I am doing.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy reading what other admin are doing in their buildings, sharing some of the great resources that are put out via twitter with my staff and I feel much more aware of what is happening.
I will share this with a group of teachers tomorrow. I will be introducing them to Twitter and thought that I should write how it has helped me grow as a teacher (of Grade 9).
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. Again, glad to find people that feel the same way about Twitter. Your comments will be read to them also as further proof of the power of twitter.
It is also fun to seek out others with a differing (not just apathetic) mindset to have meaningful discussion.
ReplyDelete- @newfirewithin
Great post Brian! Twitter has so much to offer educators because it can be personalized. You can literally monitor a constant stream of information that is tailored to individual interests. Powerful professional development tool.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Brian. I have only been in the twittersphere for a short time but it has profoundly impacted me as an educator. Being connected to thoughtful and innovative educators inspires me to keep learning and talking. Big thanks to my PLN and twitter!
ReplyDeleteNice reflective post! A nice way in to encourage others to dip a toe in the water :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alana.
ReplyDeleteI finally got into Twitter in about October 2010 and I really agree with your comments. For me, as a teacher-librarian, I deal with isolation too. It's not the kind of isolation you're dealing with geographically, but professionally, I'm the only one in my school, and there are only 11 of us in the board.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I would add: Twitter reminds me of all the perspectives on a topic/issue that aren't my own, and that's both refreshing and stimulating. If I look up a hashtag, you get to see everyone sound off on the topic, not just your 'friends'. On Facebook, I worry constantly about offending someone.
Hi Alanna, thanks for your comment. Exactly! I agree with you. It is great to read the perspective of others. I added the last point via Jabiz and Justin because they noted that others can challenge our thoughts too. (It seems to be a common thread in many comments.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting. I shared it with my teachers immediately after reading.
ReplyDelete