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megbrown80

50+ Tools for Differentiating Instruction Through Social Media | Edutopia - 21 views

www.edutopia.org/...cial-media-tools-john-mccarthy

shared by megbrown80 on 17 Nov 15 - No Cached
  • Selecting the Right Tool
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 17 Nov 15
       
      Very important - don't just choose technology for "technology's sake". -Dr. Fritz
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 22 Nov 15
       
      To me this is the most important aspect of incorporating technology into the classroom. Many teachers don't fully understand the technology that they are using and then the effectiveness isn't there.- Ryan Burks
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I agree!  We must seek out the tools and techniques that work for our students, but also add to the lesson.  We should not feel that we must use technology for "technology's sake".  
    • slf327
      slf327 on 18 Nov 15
       
      Very true! Although we may feel some social media projects would be fun for our students, we need to make sure there is a clear purpose that students of the intended age will comprehend (Shannon Feerrar
  • Zoom, a video conferencing tool that includes recording, enables students to connect with field experts on relating content to the world outside of school.
  • ...20 more annotations...
    • slf327
      slf327 on 18 Nov 15
       
      I just viewed a workshop through Zoom last night, it was AWESOME! It would be a great way to collaborate with students in other classrooms either in the district, state, country or worldwide. Students can either type in responses or even use a microphone to verbalize their questions or comments. Great tool in my eyes!
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      Sounds like a great way to easily communicate with other students.  I will check out how this works-thanks!! (Dawn Lynn)
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      While working on our current program, we are often using Zoom with our professor's.  I have enjoyed being able to stay in contact with my professor while working on my dissertation. It's a great way to be in touch and to feel in touch.  It took me a bit to get use to, not always wanting to do the video part, but have found it to be a very useful and necessary tool.
  • We truly are in a brave new world -- the good kind -- where differentiation opportunities evolve due to the variety of social media tools available
  • In this brave new world, we are fortunate to live and work in an environment where the possibilities are endless for getting students what they need when they need it, and in a format that works best for them.
    • slf327
      slf327 on 18 Nov 15
       
      So true! As I was drafting my final project AUP, I touched base on this, as I think students need to be aware that we are lucky to have all these tools to enhance our learning. (Shannon Feerrar)
    • William G Schumacher
      William G Schumacher on 19 Nov 15
       
      Good point, Shannon.  That is especially true when working in a more affluent public school or an independent school where there is more funding for tech resources.
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 20 Nov 15
       
      Also - to look at how it makes learning different - what can we do with social media that we couldn't do with traditional pen/paper? -Dr. Fritz
    • megbrown80
      megbrown80 on 21 Nov 15
       
      For me that is always the question- how is using social media or technology allowing me to do something that traditional pen/paper doesn't? How will students benefit from this? What tools am I giving them? 
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 23 Nov 15
       
      I think this is a great question and always something to consider when using social media inside of the classroom. What activities or ways can the use of social media enhance learning? Sometimes, a more traditional way of learning would be more appropriate.-Ryan Burks
  • Piktochart lets you create infographics to offer a visual explanation of a concept or idea.
    • William G Schumacher
      William G Schumacher on 19 Nov 15
       
      I like the idea of Piktochart, but I wonder how age-appropriate this is for elementary.  I can see secondary grades using this, but not elementary. (William Schumacher)
  • Imagine a world where resources were limited to what was found in the classroom or the school closet known as the "Curriculum Materials Room." Picture a world where students wrote letters with pen and paper to communicate with other students and adults outside of the building. Due to postage costs, the teacher either sent the letters in bulk or paid for stamps out of his or her own pocket. Can you recall a time when student interests like skateboarding or video were never used as part of learning curriculum because the tools needed were either too expensive or not yet conceptualized? Do you remember a time when non-traditional learners struggled, and absenteeism meant a high likelihood of students doing poorly in school, and possibly having to retake the course?
    • Erica Soble
      Erica Soble on 20 Nov 15
       
      I find this hits close to home. I remember in Elementary school writing letters to a pen pal with paper and pencil. We used chalkboards for our work and would love going up to write on them. Now everything is on the computer and Smart Boards. Students don't have to do any work in their head. Sort of sad in a sense. (E. Soble)
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      In the school where district where I work we still use many of the "traditional tools" in school.  We wrote pen pals this year and we still wrote them on paper and mailed them.  In my district, high absenteeism still means a liklihood of not doing well in school.  Technology is great, but it does not solve all of the problems that we still see in today's rural schools.  (Dawn Lynn)
  • When students address concepts from diverse perspectives, especially in collaborative groups, it can lead to in-depth understanding. Learning profiles are about providing each student with experiences that incorporate a variety of learning style elements, not just one. Such activities help students find deeper connections, especially if they share points of view via peer reflection and dialog.
    • Erica Soble
      Erica Soble on 20 Nov 15
       
      I like the idea of using learning profiles for students. It will help them develop a better understanding of the topic but also see how well they are progressing. (E. Soble)
    • wwprincessjww
      wwprincessjww on 25 Nov 15
       
      I also agree. We used these here at Drexel so why not use them for young kids?! Love it. -Jeannine
  • Allowing students to tackle work based on the option that makes the most sense to them is crucial for cognitive connections. Seeing a concept in context of a topic in which the learner has great interest -- and possibly expertise -- can help him or her turn abstract ideas into concrete purpose.
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      I struggle with finding ways to incorporate this idea into the classroom.  I need to think "outside the box" when developing lesson plans that allow for additional choices of how students can complete the task at hand. (Dawn Lynn)
  • Create playlists (like this one) to provide that variety.
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      One thing that can help make these playlists even more enriching is another application known as educanon, which I have recently discovered.  Here questions can be inserted into Youtube videos that will assess student understanding for what they just watched.  This way they aren't just watching a video, but are engaged with it as well. (John Bugay)
  • media is most effective when we plan learning experiences based on content, process, and product (our lesson structure) and incorporate readiness, interests, and learning profiles (student voice).
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      We constantly need to remember that social media by itself is never enough, we need to bend it to our uses and create experiences that benefit ourselves and our learners.
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      Forgot name again - John Bugay
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I agree!  It is important to use technology, but we must choose what works best for our students and what adds to the lesson.  We should not use technology for "technology's sake". (Dawn Lynn)
    • wwprincessjww
      wwprincessjww on 25 Nov 15
       
      Yes, every student is different. I like Power Point but that  might not be best for everyone. 
    • wwprincessjww
      wwprincessjww on 25 Nov 15
       
      -Jeannine
  • Be clear about the academic learning outcomes. Assess what students know and don't know.
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 22 Nov 15
       
      I think it's very important to let the students know what the learning outcome is when technology is introduced. Certainly there are tools that can be used to just bring more "fun" into the classroom, but most of the time the tools are used for a specific purpose.-Ryan Burks
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 23 Nov 15
       
      Just like any other lesson, the learning objectives  need to be clear and explicit.  Many times when technology is used, students think it is some sort of game.  We need to teach our students that technology in the classroom is to help them obtain the learning objective, not just to see how many points they score in "First in Math".  (Dawn Lynn)
    • ulshf280
      ulshf280 on 23 Nov 15
       
      Teaching students how to use technology appropriately is key to successful implementation of the a tool. For example, setting clear expectations on the purpose of using a blog for reading responses is appropriate so students are not using them for social networking purposes. (Felicia Ulsh)
  • Readiness focuses on a student's current academic skill level. Work is structured to help them address any gaps or needs for enrichment. Students work in like-skill groups for specific, targeted support to address a common need, such as guided reading or tiered (leveled) activities. They also collaborate in mixed-skill groups to support struggling students with needed skill development. Additionally, experiences can stretch the advanced students in a mixed-skill group -- they may have the core skills, yet the critical thinking challenges them and their teammates.
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I love teaching guided math and reading groups.  I love to push those students that are learning the material quickly and I love to figure out how to best help those students that are struggling.  I have two students in my class that receive learning support services.  I always mix up the small groups to include varying academic levels and I love to see the kids helping each other. 
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 23 Nov 15
       
      Dawn Lynn
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      Good post Dawn, What I appreciate most about your comments is that you state that you "love" teaching, and especially math, which was definitely one of my greatest moments in education for me. In reading your post I can sense you enjoyment for teaching and your ability to be creative, which I think is so important in education of others. I have so much respect for teachers who really love what they do.  I recently observed a math class, middle school, recently and it's not easy work.  But, like you, this teacher made it interesting, and I thought, she has to do that a few times daily, weekly and yearly.  This was truly a "wow" moment and an impressive one..  So  thanks
  • Use fog-free assessments that track learner progress.
    • ulshf280
      ulshf280 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I never heard of "fog free" assessments before. I thought this was interesting because as a special education teaching this is something I do all of the time. You look for specific academic needs through various assessments so you provide the specially designed instruction that is necessary to meet the needs of a student with a disability. Fog Free assessments are simple like this. If you click on the link it takes you to another article that explains what they are. The author of that article basically said that these are the kind of assessments where you need to look for the information and the data. (Felicia Ulsh)
  • Youtube Playlists: There are many videos that address content from different perspectives, including the one way that a particular student or teacher needs to see it.
    • ulshf280
      ulshf280 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I use Youtube playlists all of the time. These are great for lesson openers to catch the interests of the children. It is a great way to differentiate for your visual learners. Actually not only visual but all learners. This is a way to incorporate 21st century media into the classroom. Again, as I mentioned on someone else's comment, students need to learn how to use the technology tool appropriately. I can not stress that enough.
  • In the past, limited access placed a hardship on teachers to meet the diverse needs of their students, especially when school resources are limited.
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      Being a child of the 60's  and not having this new age of technology to meet our needs, "back in the day" would you say my education was not as "complete" as the education of others?  When I think about this I think I preferred my education then.  It may not have been huge in content, but it was personal and I felt more socially connected.  There is much I could discuss on then and now education.
  • As more schools review their cell phone policy and allow students to use their "internet devices," learning options increase with access to social media apps and other online tools such as those mentioned above.
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      In sticking with reality, this also brings in the negative, and I feel this is where we fall behind with this continual surge of technology.  We are moving so fast and not considering the "bad" that comes with this.  As it's a brave new world for students, others, with other agenda's are also sharing this brave new world.  Even on school levels, with the use of social media to promote negative behaviors, let's talk about them.
  • Survey Monkey is one of many online survey tools for capturing pre- and formative assessment of students' progress. This one is also a good tool for student feedback on the helpfulness of the intervention used.
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      In during research, I truly enjoy this tool and use it often. It was great in my masters thesis,and will probably use this in my doctoral dissertation.  Easy to use and collect, analyze data, getting consent, and maintaining ethics.
    • Mathew Kennedy
      Mathew Kennedy on 24 Nov 15
       
      Survey monkey is so easy to use and can create a quick, fast assessment for a student.  It can track results and can be done in the class or at home.  It's a great tool!
  • Differentiating with social media is most effective when we plan learning experiences based on content, process, and product (our lesson structure) and incorporate readiness, interests, and learning profiles (student voice). The following guidelines can help any classroom teacher ensure that the tool used will address students' needs:
    • wwprincessjww
      wwprincessjww on 25 Nov 15
       
      One way differentiation is made possible w social media is that some intelligences are less outgoing than others. Rather than learning face to face and feeling pressure answer questions, children can learn face to face in an online setting. -Jeannine McGoldrick 
  • Imagine a world where resources were limited to what was found in the classroom or the school closet known as the "Curriculum Materials Room." Picture a world where students wrote letters with pen and paper to communicate with other students and adults outside of the building.
    • wwprincessjww
      wwprincessjww on 25 Nov 15
       
      People can stop having ideas and stop at a paper and a pen but if we keep applying creativity to the way we communicate, we can apply social media to learning and go beyond what we knew. There are always more ways.  -Jeannine McGoldrick
    • megbrown80
      megbrown80 on 25 Nov 15
       
      This is so important for students because the more students feel to classroom the more comfortable they'll be. By identifying a students background connections you can also bring context to learning and engage students
  • wwprincessjww on 20 Nov 15
     
    John McCarthy Education Consultant, Advocate for Student Voice in Learning Imagine a world where resources were limited to what was found in the classroom or the school closet known as the "Curriculum Materials Room." Picture a world where students wrote letters with pen and paper to communicate with other students and adults outside of the building. A class room doesn't have to be limited to just pens and paper. -Jeannine McGoldrick
  • ...1 more comment...
  • mwilliams28 on 25 Nov 15
     
    http://www.edutopia.org/blog/differentiated-instruction-eliminating-assessment-fog-john-mccarthy Is a great article on differentiating instruction! Eliminating Assessment Fog based on these three guidelines; identifying clear learning targets, separating logistical from academic, and providing different options/opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of the content is a great way to filter out unnecessary details that may confuse our students and distract them from learning objectives and what we as teachers truly expect from them. Marissa J. Williams
  • mwilliams28 on 29 Nov 15
     
    * "Survey Monkey is one of many online survey tools for capturing pre- and formative assessment of students' progress. This one is also a good tool for student feedback on the helpfulness of the intervention used" I have used Survey Monkey in the past to create company-wide surveys to capture my colleagues ideas on diversity, company processes and best practices in nonprofit. Never have I thought about using survey monkey as an assessment tool for students....and the fact that it can be used for differentiation is even more exciting.
  • Megan Krotz on 09 Jan 16
     
    Learning how to comment here! Differentiation with technology is excellent!
mkm420fritz

You May Be a 21st Century Educator If... - Getting Smart by John Hardison - 21stedchat,... - 10 views

gettingsmart.com/...may-21st-educator

shared by mkm420fritz on 20 Nov 13 - No Cached
  • Participating in a Saturday #edcamp
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 20 Nov 13
       
      These are the hastag/chats through Twitter that I references in the other article and on our class wikispace. THey are so beneficial and really help you add other educators to your PLN.
  • You’re on an incessant search for tech tools (not tech toys) that will help students learn more efficiently, creatively, and collaboratively. Without a doubt, the learning objectives are the primary focus and educational technology is secondary.
  • You’re on an incessant search for tech tools (not tech toys) that will help students learn more efficiently, creatively, and collaboratively. Without a doubt, the learning objectives are the primary focus and educational technology is secondary.
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 20 Nov 13
       
      This was one of my favorite descriptions because of all of the tools that we have learned about during the course. I think at one point I was feeling a little overwhelmed by being exposed to so many new platforms and tools for learning. However, as I have continued to learn more, I feel that I am able to look at social media tools more critically and better imagine the learning possibilities that they might lead to. I agree these tools can exist to help students work more effectively, creatively and collaboratively, but I also think they increase motivation and interest when students are allowed to try new things. The point does need to be on the learning though. The technology is only there to enhance and deepen the experience. Clark Masters
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 21 Nov 13
       
      Clark, I absolutely agree with you. There are SO many tools out there, and both in this class and EDUC 525 I felt very overwhelmed by all the new ones we were exposed to each week. This quote does a great job of breaking it down- technology is supposed to improve our ability to teach, and we only have to include the ones that work for us and our classes. There was a quote on the other article that talked about a similar idea: "No, set the bar on what you can handle in terms of time and effort. Measure your Return on Investment (ROI) with each." Social media tools can be considered toys sometimes, and if we don't know how to use them the right way, they never make the jump from toy to tool. For me, choosing those tools that I can use to be tools, and focusing on those, keeps me from getting too overwhelmed. - Emi Blaser
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 21 Nov 13
       
      I would love to do a follow up to this course (or make it 3 credits) so that we can really dig deeper with a few tools and create, use, enhance our PLN.
    • Rachael Herr
      Rachael Herr on 23 Nov 13
       
      Clark (and Emi) I completely agree with both of your comments. This quote for me goes back to the concept of backward design; you have to have a clear idea of your instructional objective and goal before you can effectively plan your lesson (and in this case, execute it using educational technology tools). I think learning how to sort and sift through the plethora of tools available is something that this class has taught us, and will be invaluable as we incorporate different aspects of technology and social media into our teaching. - Rachael Herr
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 23 Nov 13
       
      Good point about backwards design! I think that idea makes a really good parallel with this one. -Emi Blaser
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 26 Nov 13
       
      Clark, thanks for your comment here!  I had trouble when reading several of these quotes because I wish I could use these techy tools in my low-income high population and anti-device school, that it was difficult to get insight. I'm excited to see and hear of all the updates happening here, and as someone said previously, this reminds me of the backward design approach -- that is, finding items and activities to enhance the lesson (and not making the lesson out of the tools/activities).   Thanks for sharing!
    • Meredith Tate
      Meredith Tate on 26 Nov 13
       
      (Meredith Tate) I think this comment brings up a great point. At times, I have seen teachers make a solid effort to use technology in their classrooms (which is great!) but not make a clear connection between the digital tools and the learning objectives. I'm sure I have been guilty of this at times as well! This post reminded me that I need to identify the learning objectives FIRST and then think about how to incorporate digital tools- not focus so much on technology that I allow the learning objectives to become an afterthought.
  • ...24 more annotations...
    • Lauren Neary
      Lauren Neary on 22 Nov 13
       
      Story of my teaching life!  This is a great article!  I can relate to a lot of these.  Last year I was able to count on my fingers how many times I ate lunch in the teachers lounge instead of at my desk.  Even though I go into school everyday super early to prepare for my day, I still don't have enough time to eat my lunch in "peace."  I am constantly on my computer, grading papers, emailing parents, preparing for my next lesson, preparing for a meeting, etc.  A lot of times, I look for filler activities on the internet to print out, so I can pull a small flex group, and can have something for the other students who can work independently.  This year has been the same way so far.  I wish I could be one of those teachers that enjoys eating their lunch while chatting with other teachers.  Instead, my lunch is always on the run, literally!
    • Lauren Neary
      Lauren Neary on 23 Nov 13
       
      -Lauren Neary
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 27 Nov 13
       
      I'm only student teaching and this is my experience, too!  Our school claims the morning for professional development every day from 7:15-7:45, then students begin rolling in at 8am - and my school day ends up starting at 7AM and ending at 5 or 5:30 PM - and everyone of those ten hours are jam packed with planning, grading, searching online, printing, and organizing for the day's classes or the next few days.  It's exhausting!  I wonder what it's like to be the teacher who enjoys eating lunch in the lounge? (I don't even know where the teachers' lounge is in my school!)
  • 34. You traded in the red pen for more nontraditional, feedback gadgets.
    • Rachael Herr
      Rachael Herr on 23 Nov 13
       
      This is definitely something I am working toward with my students right now (using Google Docs and Teacherblogit.com). I think it makes so much sense to move away from the traditional pen-and-paper feedback as instructional practices are already evolving past that. The hyperlink provided some great feedback ideas as well; the author used Audacity to "voice grade" essays, and also explained how to give audio feedback in Google Docs. Just imagining how much more efficient and thoughtful feedback could be for the students using these methods is exciting to me. The only thing I would look for is a way to transcribe the audio feedback for students who also like to have something written in front of them.
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 23 Nov 13
       
      I read over this point quickly when I first read this document, so I really appreciated your comment Rachel. This is such a great way to give students feedback. I think it would be so much easier to voice record ideas and comments. It is difficult to provide feedback clearly and concisely in a way students will understand on paper. I also think students are more likely to understand the comments if they hear them. I am looking forward to trying this out. Clark Masters 
    • Lauren Neary
      Lauren Neary on 23 Nov 13
       
      I think this is an amazing idea and I wish I could utilize it in my classroom.  However, I am a first grade teacher and my kids need to see corrections right in front of them, or it will not be as effective.  I would like to explore new methods that are available to engage the students more with making corrections and learning from their mistakes.   The idea of "voice grading" sounds really cool!  I think students would be more motivated to listen to their corrections and follow along through the computer.  Great post :)
    • Lauren Neary
      Lauren Neary on 23 Nov 13
       
      -Lauren Neary (sorry I keep forgetting to sign my name)
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 24 Nov 13
       
      It's so exciting to see technology moving and aiding education, but I think it's devastating that it won't reach poorer areas and districts soon.  My host-school for my field placement has such a huge student body and is so outdated that some of my 12th graders don't even know how to save a word document. My students would love learning how to use technology, but we simply don't have the resources! This caught my attention, because I literally just picked up some new red pens on my way home from my weekend night job; my red pens are all out of ink!
    • Meredith Tate
      Meredith Tate on 26 Nov 13
       
      (Meredith Tate) I really like the idea of using digital tools to provide feedback- particularly verbal feedback! I think it enables teachers to connect with students on a more personal level and could potentially save a lot of time during the grading process! I just struggle to think how I could implement this in a math classroom. Often it is so important to visually see how a problem is organized and operations are completed. I think using an digital "whiteboard" tool such as ShowMe (where I could write a problem on a blank page and verbally record how I solved it) may be a good compromise!
  • Students are encouraged to take pictures of projected notes, classmates’ drawings, brainstorming ideas, or anything that will move their knowledge forward.
    • Cecilia Zapiec
      Cecilia Zapiec on 23 Nov 13
       
      Nowadays we are creating opportunities in our lessons for collaboration, cooperation and student-directed learning. As opposed to the traditional instructional approach of teacher-led, students copy notes and memorize facts. Today we provide our students different contexts and media to address all types of learners. I love to see my students help/teach each other and they are only in 1st grade!-Cecilia Zapiec
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 23 Nov 13
       
      This is a great point that you highlighted. I love the fact that I can take pictures of the whiteboard and print it for the students to put in their notebooks for reference later on. I think it is important for students to learn to take notes and tune in to important information, but for some this can be difficult. This is another way that teachers can support struggling learners and ensure everyone is getting the information they need. Clark Masters
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 24 Nov 13
       
      I have assigned projects several times that require students to draw, take pictures, or create collages. I think it provides a creative way for students to reinforce what they have learned in class. It promotes critical thinking and they have to use technological resources in order to research the material they will need to complete the exercise. Brenna Wyatt
  • 42. You consider yourself the “guide-on-the-side” or “facilitator-to-inspire-greater” instead of the “sage-on-the-stage.”
    • Jingyun He
      Jingyun He on 23 Nov 13
       
      The best teacher, in my opinion, is not someone who talks a lot during the lesson and who thinks himself or herself as "sage-on-stage," but a human being who is willing to learn with his or her students. Since a teacher has more knowledge and experience than his or her students, his or her role becomes a safeguard of students' thinking. The teacher needs to be teach his or her students how to think sanely and sensibly by guiding them how to read articles and solve problems. Thus, a teacher is "guide-on-the-side" and 'facilitator-to-inspire-greater.' Written by Jing Yun He
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      Very profound Jingyun. I couldn't agree more.
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 26 Nov 13
       
      Thanks for your comment Jingyun! I find myself constantly learning, especially with my 12th grade group of students studying brit lit - in some ways I'm learning it right alongside them and their input is extremely valuable.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
      Kimberly Kaseman on 26 Nov 13
       
      Great points!! I get irritated when my children come home even with misinformation because the teachers refuses to admit they don't know something, which kind of goes along with your comment. I will admit to my students if I don't know an answer to something and then we can research it together or I encourage them to research it and let the class and me know what they find out. One of the key things I put into my introduction letter to the parents of the students I work with was that I looked forward to "learning along side" of their students, so I couldn't agree more with your sentiments. Thank you for sharing.
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 27 Nov 13
       
      I very much enjoyed your post. I was just telling my student teaching supervisor how as a student, some of my favorite classes were the ones where it was a group discussion. I was an active participant in the education process and retained more from these lessons than simply sitting back and listening to someone talk to me for an hour. I understand lecture is necessary at times but I feel strongly it shouldn't be the only teaching strategy.
  • You eat lunch over a laptop while perusing top educational sites for new ideas.
    • Jayme Crimmins
      Jayme Crimmins on 23 Nov 13
       
      This actually made me laugh when I read it because I have done this a few times with my cooperating teacher during my student teaching. I am always thinking of what to add to a lesson or what to change. I am ALWAYS online looking for different ideas for an upcoming lesson or just for ideas as to what to change in the future in my classroom. It still amazes me how much things are changing since I was in high school. The school I am students teaching at now has ipads for one classroom and next year is looking to have them for all of the classrooms. Our students love it and they never groan or roll their eyes when asked to use one for an assignment. I am always online looking for new ideas to keep students interested and wanting to learn.
    • Camille Rylak
      Camille Rylak on 26 Nov 13
       
      Wow, your school is extremely lucky to have ipad's for a classroom. I found out that apple does provide discounted pricing through Apple in Education. In addition, if a school has older Apple products that still have some value they can be turned in through Apple's recycling program with a credit given for the purchase of new hardware. http://grantsguys.com/grants-for-ipads-in-the-classroom/
  • of your most trusted and reliable colleagues is in another state or country and responds just as quickly via social media as the teacher next door.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
      Kimberly Kaseman on 24 Nov 13
       
      I can totally relate to this. I have teaching friends in several states that I text and Facebook with on a regular basis about challenges, questions, or just to share how things are going for me in the classroom. They are definitely quicker to respond to me and often more available than my CTs are. Even when my student teaching is all said and done, I will be moving and will rely on Social Media to connect and communicate with my CTs and principal here in NC. It is the easiest way to keep in touch these days.
    • Jingyun He
      Jingyun He on 25 Nov 13
       
      I am communicating a Chinese teacher who teaches English in China about how to teach English to Chinese students in China. He and I regularly do qq instant messaging so that I share good articles how to teach ESL with him all the time. It is very effective to communicate with other persons on social websites.
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 27 Nov 13
       
      I find I respond to friends and colleagues quicker via e-mail & social media rather than the phone most of the time. With everything going on in our daily lives, all the multi-tasking, it is often more convenient. Plus, I can look back at the conversation if I need to. I also have friends in various states that I am able to communicate with to get ideas and feedback. Brenna Wyatt
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
    • Meredith Tate
      Meredith Tate on 23 Nov 13
       
      (Meredith Tate) This sentence caught my attention because I see it as very applicable and potentially helpful in a math class setting! I have seen students take pictures of assignments or step by step solutions of longer problems written on the board- but have not had students record an explanation of a particular topic. I think this could have been helpful when I was teaching a more challenging lesson on graphing/analyzing rational equations. Having students take a video of the instruction to play back as needed as they worked through problems of their own may have been an excellent resource. I really like this idea and think it is one that I will certainly be able to apply in the future!
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 24 Nov 13
       
      I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I can see how it would be helpful and have often allowed students to take pictures in class of the blackboard or whiteboard when assignments & directions are listed. However, I also have concerns about cell phones being abused in class. Because they are small hand held devices, it is easy enough for students to start doing other things on them. It is something I would be compelled to monitor closely. Brenna Wyatt
    • Meredith Tate
      Meredith Tate on 26 Nov 13
       
      (Meredith Tate) Hi Brenna, I definitely hear your concerns. When I first read the section, I initially thought about how helpful it would be to have students record the steps of a complex math problem. However, as you pointed out, there are some implications for classroom management. I guess if students get the "green light" to have phones out in class to record lessons, it would be very easy for this privilege to be abused. Another concern would be the possibility of students photographing and/or recording other students against their will (it sounds ridiculous, but it happened in my class!) Looking at this again, I think it might be a good idea to allow students to record within very specific parameters. For example, I could invite students to record one specific practice problem or record the lesson myself and post it for students to view in their own time. Thanks for bringing up some of these classroom management issues!
  • Your classroom rarely has the same seating or furniture arrangement two days in a row.
    • brittany wilson
      brittany wilson on 24 Nov 13
       
      It didn't take me long to find out I'm a 21st century teacher, when I read number four on the list about switching around your desks and furniture every other day, that is defiantly me. The janitor at the school, who I am friends with, gives me a hard time about it, because I am always switching around the room, which messes with her cleaning, but she said she doesn't mind because she knows that it improves the learning of my students and how much I care about it. Even at teaching kindergarten, kids still can bored at seeing and hearing the same things day after day, so I want to change it up, not only in the daily routine of the learning process but in seating arrangement as well, Its like its the first of school ever day in my class. Students get excited, and improves the learning environment. Brittany Wilson 
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      I give you credit for your diligence in arranging your classroom. This is a concept that I have often struggled with because I can only think of a few ways to arrange a square room consisting of 20 desks. However, we have learned how to pull on an ample number of resources in this class that can help spur some ideas (K. Gordon).
    • Danielle Malone
      Danielle Malone on 25 Nov 13
       
      I love this! Even in my student teaching experience we've changed the seating arrangements at least three times in the past two months, and I can definitely see how it changes student participation and in some cases, their attitudes towards learning. By changing up the seating arrangements students were able to work in groups with people who had different strengths than their own, and they could see what collaboration was like outside of their normal comfort zone. Plus, we have so much learning material posted on the walls that the students get a different view of helpful tips or class work during the regular class period, adding a bit of extra subtle learning. I think it's a great way to keep the class on their toes and remind them that the classroom is a constantly changing space. (Danielle Malone)
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 26 Nov 13
       
      I wanted to change my seating arrangement, but it's difficult with so many different courses and classes - and only four minutes between each.  My co-op teacher said even though it's a great thought and concept, it's so difficult to apply in our school.  I wonder how these great ideas can apply to schools that are further behind and have more limitations than others? Thanks for sharing your response!
  • Blogging serves as a continual venue for professional reflection and pedagogical sharing to help you improve your teaching strategies.
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 24 Nov 13
       
      Blogging like other social media is a valuable tool for educators to share ideas and offer feedback. On more than one occasion, I have reviewed various blogs for ideas on assignments and ways to engage a diversified student body. I have often left feedback for the blog owners on the outcome on the class and ways that I have modified the lessons. Brenna Wyatt
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 27 Nov 13
       
      What a great way to make connections!
    • Brenna Wyatt
      Brenna Wyatt on 24 Nov 13
       
      I have included a number of projects in my lesson plans that give students an opportunity to be creative through drawing, taking pictures, and making collages. It allows them to put a piece of themselves into the work while reinforcing what they have learned in the classroom. They have had to use technology in order to research the material in the projects as well. Brenna Wyatt
  • 41. You’ve ever “stunk it up” in class with a terrible lesson plan, expressed your frustration via a blog post from your phone, and sought feedback from your digital, professional learning network.
    • Kimberly Kaseman
      Kimberly Kaseman on 24 Nov 13
       
      I felt this one this week. While I don't blog, I found myself texting, calling, and venting my frustrations on Facebook. I know it is a constant learning process for teachers too, but I felt so disappointed with my less than stellar lesson. It felt like a waste of time, even though I know that the students really still learned from it and so did I. After venting and freeing myself from my own negativity, I regrouped and re-planned so that I could teach the material in a better manner.
    • Jayme Crimmins
      Jayme Crimmins on 26 Nov 13
       
      I hate that feeling! I agree that being able to vent really helps change how we look at the lesson and what can be changed. I have also vented after a bad lesson plan by texting and going on facebook. I do like the idea of talking with other teachers through a blog post. I can see myself doing that in the future.
  • 3. Words like “flipped,” “blended,” “asynchronous,” “differentiated,” and “MOOC” are not words to describe how you feel after inhaling a chili hotdog just before riding a roller coaster called the “Vomit Van.” Instead, these words are part of your ever-increasing #edtech vocabulary.
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 24 Nov 13
       
      I'm in a constant battle against many people in education when I try to explain that MOOCs are NOT a bad thing!! (And when I mention MOOCs in a crowd of people who are not involved in education, they just stare at me like I'm crazy).
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 24 Nov 13
       
      I have had friends try some of the large, free online courses that are offered, but I had no idea what a MOOC was until you posted this. I appreciate your comment. It got me to actually find out what it was. Clark Masters 
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 27 Nov 13
       
      Thanks!  It seems as though most of my old college profs perceive online education in general - but specifically MOOCs, as a threat to post-secondary education.  This thought really bugs me, because I think it's essential that education be available for not only the nontraditional student like myself - but for anyone who wants it - even if they are below the poverty line!
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 31. You’ve ever said, “Students, take out your smartphones and record me as I discuss this assignment. Then you can play it back as often as necessary.”
  • 35. You ever had a teaching moment like this…and decided that it needed to be the very last.
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 24 Nov 13
       
      This video is funny and reminds me of most of my math class experiences.  My students seem so used to this sort of experience that they're surprised I'm asking more of them all of the time.  ("MISS!  Why don't you just talk the whole time like other teachers?!")  I constantly have them writing, responding, working together, and moving around.  It's a huge labor for them, alright, but they're certainly not grumbling as much as they used to!  
    • Kimberly Kaseman
      Kimberly Kaseman on 26 Nov 13
       
      That is hilarious and I have sat through many classes that I felt like that. I also have had moments teaching where I felt like my students were starting to get that way. In those moments we would take a break and do an energizer activity to get them back engaged and alert. I hate when I have those times where material just needs to be presented, but that is where you stop and ask questions, create discussions, etc. to break up the boredom.
  • 27. Students in your class maintain a blog to share with a larger audience.
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 24 Nov 13
       
      I long to have my own classroom and have this sort of platform.  A great way to show parents what their children are up to - and for students to showcase and be proud of their thoughts and work!
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 24 Nov 13
       
      They are great tools and kids love to use them. If you are teaching elementary or early middle school, KidBlog is great. Very easy to use. It makes kids want to do their homework. Clark Masters
    • Jingyun He
      Jingyun He on 25 Nov 13
       
      I have a good Chinese teacher who teaches Chinese literature in a high school in China. He creates blogs for his students to demonstrate their understanding of Chinese literature and world literature. Students get beneifts by showing their writing on blog.
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 26 Nov 13
       
      I know I've shared this before but it's a great resource if you haven't seen it - budtheteacher.com he has done some amazing work with blogging!
  • 25. Interactive learning structures that integrate technology are constantly requested by students.
    • Camille Rylak
      Camille Rylak on 24 Nov 13
       
      In the 20th century technology is everywhere. We can't escape it and according to the On the Cutting Edge - Professional Development for Geoscience Faculty, individual interactive activities do the following: "engage visual, kinesthetic, and mathematical learners as they review animations, manipulate graphics, and solve both computational and non-computational problems; have the potential to promote topical discussions as students who work on an exercise run into problems and turn to their classmates for help or advice; and make the assessment of learning outcomes -- which are defined in terms of what students should be able to "do" -- easier because students actually demonstrate their understanding of a concept or technique by applying it." http://serc.carleton.edu/NAGTWorkshops/online/interactive.html
    • Cecilia Zapiec
      Cecilia Zapiec on 26 Nov 13
       
      Technology is second nature for our students today. Some don't know of a time before the internet or cell phones. Incorporating social media as a form of class discussion or a way by which students can help each other is an appropriate way to use their "tech-savvy" to our advantage. We can either create opportunities for social media or at least recognize its potential application for our students today.
    • Meredith Tate
      Meredith Tate on 26 Nov 13
       
      (Meredith Tate) I could really relate to this comment as well. I have found that students really enjoy and actually seek out opportunities to use technology tools in class. I know some of the appeal may be the chance to glance at the internet but, despite these unavoidable temptations, I have found that students stay on task for the most part. I was working with an extremely challenging class where it was very hard to encourage participation. One day, I had the students use the Socrative apps on the class ipads to submit and share their answer. This tool enabled me to display the class answers anonymously, so I could gauge understanding without singling anyone out. The response from the class was very positive and it made a huge difference in class participation.
  • However, your monthly checks do not indicate an increase in pay that is equivalent to your acquired knowledge via the social media giant.
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      Although social media is so useful for connecting individuals within the educational sphere, I think the satire here raises a valid point that we could possibly be checking our social media too much. If every class we have utilizes an ongoing social media site for communication and discussion, that is a lot of posts for a teacher to check periodically and unfortunately, we don't get paid per post checked. I never really considered the workload that social media can cause for a teacher until this point here. (K. Gordon)
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      Does number 10, "collegial pessimism" refer to having an "anti-college" attitude? I'm not really sure what that means although it is a very entertaining simile.
  • Your students present you with the best form of educational feedback when the annoying bell rings and they collectively say, “Ahhhhhh, class is over already?”
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      Just did a lesson in a classroom for my methods course on the assassination of President Kennedy and got this reaction...Sorry, I had to gloat. Although, I suppose the topic typically triggers that reaction. (K. Gordon)
    • Camille Rylak
      Camille Rylak on 26 Nov 13
       
      Wow, that's awesome! What do you think you did to capture their attention? Did you use any technology to help you out?
    • Jayme Crimmins
      Jayme Crimmins on 26 Nov 13
       
      It is such a good feeling! I was fortunate enough to get that reaction from my classroom today. It was for a math activity/game that I created and the students loved it. It was such a great feeling to have the students make that noise and say that they wanted to keep playing.
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 27 Nov 13
       
      Awesome job, ladies!  I had this reaction when reading Macbeth a few weeks ago, and we had to stop reading for the period right after Macbeth had his best pal Banquo murdered.  My kids were like, WAIT WHAT WHY? And I was able to hook them, saying, "well!  See you tomorrow!"
  • 21. Your answer to a colleague’s question “What research did you base your decisions on?” is simply, “My teacher’s heart and a gut feeling.”
  • poor classroom management.
    • Kyle Gordon
      Kyle Gordon on 24 Nov 13
       
      The classroom that I am in for my methods course is a prime example of good classroom management. There has not been one issue in the whole time that I have been there, and the kids were on there best behavior for all the lessons that I conducted too. I almost felt guilty when my supervisor commented on how great the classroom climate was because I didn't feel like I deserved the credit for my mentoring teacher who had been grooming this behavior for the past 2 months. It takes a little more effort for the creativity aspect, but I have seen the nightmares that simply handing out worksheets everyday can cause. I don't want to be "that teacher."
    • typhany sellers
      typhany sellers on 26 Nov 13
       
      This is a great comment!  I've been in a student teaching placement and am almost just finishing up -- my placement is a great experience because it is so challenging; I have three different courses I plan for and teach six out of eight periods!  Sometimes it is SO difficult to NOT hand out worksheets!  I always have to bear this in mind when I am creating non traditional assessments and various projects.  Thanks for sharing this post! 
  • One of your workout sessions to de-stress from a tough day’s work turns into an effortless jog while a barrage of creative ideas initiate a seemingly endless foot race in your mind
    • Danielle Malone
      Danielle Malone on 25 Nov 13
       
      I know this point is supposed to be comical, but this has actually happened to me quite a bit. When I do get a chance to run (before it gets too dark) I start thinking about my next lesson plan or the unit I'm working on, and all of a sudden I have a few great ideas and I'm not focusing on the actual run. When I created a unit for Jamestown and the Native Americans/Colonists from the novel "Blood on the River", most of the connection questions I came up with were created on the run. For me, sitting down at the computer and thinking about something directly might not yield the best results, but when I'm off doing something else I can think about the lesson organically, and that's where I can come up with plans or activities that are actually interesting and have some kind of connection to the students' lives. It's an odd situation, but it's been working for me! (Danielle Malone)
    • Camille Rylak
      Camille Rylak on 26 Nov 13
       
      Danielle, that happens to me too. I love getting a lesson plan started and just letting it simmer in my thoughts as I go about with my day. Before I know it I have the entire lesson plan figured out in my head with, in my opinion, a lot of great ideas that bring the lesson to the real world for students to connect with.
Bernice De Jesus

8 Social Media Strategies for Your Classroom - Getting Smart by Adam Renfro - PLN, soci... - 7 views

gettingsmart.com/...ia-strategy-for-your-classroom

educ775 socialmedia web2.0 article

shared by Bernice De Jesus on 02 Nov 13 - No Cached
  • but social networking is here to stay.
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 20 Nov 13
       
      It's definitely here to stay so time to take 1 tool and make it work for you - help you connect to others, develop yourself professionally, etc.
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      That is definitely true, we aren't going to regress only progress so we better get up to speed now of we will be left behind and out of touch with our students! Nicole Cartledge
    • Abigail Church
      Abigail Church on 23 Nov 13
       
      I was watching Jeopardy, and one of the contestants was a teacher that did not even own a phone. I thought to myself, how is he going to be able to teach these students how to be smart with their social media experiences if he does not even use them. While I understand the concept, I think it is best if we all just get with the program and understand that it is not going anywhere anytime soon. We should prepare ourselves to help our students be smart with social media instead of simply turning our heads.
    • Lauren Neary
      Lauren Neary on 24 Nov 13
       
      Social media is here to stay!  It love the concept of how education is changing to incorporate more social media in the classroom.  Not only is it an advantage for students learning, but it also helps teachers stay connected with one another and allows collaboration 24/7. -Lauren Neary
    • Cecilia Zapiec
      Cecilia Zapiec on 26 Nov 13
       
      I think that we have an opportunity here to use social media for good and to show naysayers how much of a positive impact social media can have when applied appropriately and thoughtfully. Even though it may feel overwhelming at times, we should try and incorporate social media when it is practical and beneficial. Ideally, schools would have all the necessary supplies so teachers can have ipads/computers at their disposal...one day
    • Daniel DiBona
      Daniel DiBona on 26 Nov 13
       
      Personally social media will be the next wave of teaching innovation. Especially if the surface commerical goes true. I don't know if anyone else has seen the teacher commerical for microsoft, but it talks about a classroom environoment where each student will learn using a tablet and not just the blackboard. So if this scenario where to come true, we will need social media more than ever.-Dan DiBona
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 27 Nov 13
       
      Social networking is not going anywear. We all, (children and adults) have grown comfortable with social media. I really do not see society drifting away from social media devices because of all the positive outcomes which come from utilizing it, especially in an educational setting.
    • Bernice De Jesus
      Bernice De Jesus on 03 Dec 13
       
      Yes, Social networking is here to stay and it getting more and more pleaced in the school system, so we as teachers have to make it a positive devices in the classroom. Great post.
  • Twitter
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 20 Nov 13
       
      I Twitter is the tool you'd like to "master", I suggest you look into the hashtags/chats I posted on our class website. You can attend these through Twitter and learn so much!
    • Bernice De Jesus
      Bernice De Jesus on 03 Dec 13
       
      Dr. Fritz, I did learn about twitter in this class, I would alway thing why do I want to tell others what I'm doing every min. of the day. After this class I see that you can learn alot of information on twitter, you can share places to research information pertaining to school, and class information. Again I'm so glad I was able to take this class to learn more about twitter, and I have been able to learn more about Linkedin as well. Great information. Bernice
  •  Flipping your classroom allows you to double your teaching capacity and extend the learning day for students.
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 21 Nov 13
       
      It is very interesting to see the concept of a flipped classroom here, as I just came across this article (http://www.edutopia.org/blog/biggest-hurdle-flipping-your-class-jon-bergmann) earlier this week. Filming lectures and creating videos allows students to access the information on their own later and gives you time and opportunity to work with students who need more help, as this quote states, and this is wonderful. The article I linked to argues that a truly flipped classroom takes this concept further and requires students to create the content for themselves and create their own learning. I think that including opportunities for both will be very helpful for both the students and for us. I wanted to find out more about what a "flipped" classroom really is, so I did some research and came across this article http://www.edutopia.org/blog/rethinking-the-flipped-classroom-idit-harel-caperton that I think gives a pretty good explanation of what it is and discusses the pros and cons of the "flipped model." This http://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-flipped-classroom links to a playlist of videos in a sort of "film festival" of flipped classrooms. If you are interested in what all this is, check the links out, it helped explain it all for me! - Emi Blaser
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      Thanks for the article. This is the first time I have heard of flipping the classroom but I absolutely see the benefit. I think the point you made about allowing the teacher time to give individual attention is a very big deal, especially in my field of special education. 'Doubling your teaching capacity' is an immeasurable help! Nicole Cartledge
    • Abigail Church
      Abigail Church on 23 Nov 13
       
      Something to remember as well is that flipped can work at any age. It does not have to be full teacher powerpoint lessons given for homework. This idea can be even for kindergarten level to get a head start on the learning process so when they come to school, they are prepared to do the hands-on learning part. Nicole, I would suggest looking more into this, as I use it in my student teaching classroom and it is amazing! Coming from a special education background originally, I think it would be extra beneficial to your field of study. Your students learn in a much different way, and anything that can help enhance their learning in order to reach those IEP goals is a big deal. While not many special education teachers like to give homework to their kids, I would suggest using it because you may see a great improvement in you mild/ moderate and learning impaired students!
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 23 Nov 13
       
      Abigail, great point about using it in even the youngest classrooms! I can see how it would be very beneficial for kids who are struggling and need to see a lesson again. I'd love to hear more about how you used it in K- what kinds of lessons did you do it with, how did you structure the time in class? Thanks! -Emi Blaser
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 23 Nov 13
       
      Thanks for the suggestion. Since I haven't had hands on with teaching in a special education classroom yet it only seemed like it would be very beneficial so I am encouraged to hear that you have seen results with mild to moderate category students. I am definitely incorporating this once I am in the classsroom. It really provideshelpful support before a lesson to activate learning, during to provide multple perspectives and free the teacher to further engage or explain, and after as a review. Thanks again. Nicole Cartledge
  • ...7 more annotations...
  • Twitter will be your social media workhorse. Use it to push out calendar notices, classroom tips, celebrations, links, polls, and the occasional personal message to remind followers you’re a human and not a bot. Encourage parents to follow, too.
    • Danielle Malone
      Danielle Malone on 21 Nov 13
       
      I love this idea! Before this class I struggled with the idea of having a twitter account for the classroom, but I had never really thought about how important it could be for parents, as well as children. I know a lot of people my age or slightly older that have kids and still depend on social media, twitter included, for daily news on just the things that interest them. How great would it be for those kinds of parents to follow the classroom twitter feed and just see information occasionally but still feel like they're a part of the classroom? I think that anytime we can get information out to parents without them actively thinking about it, it's a win, and that's certainly one of the possibilities with Twitter!
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      I too think this is a great tool that teacher can utlize in the classroom both to engage students and inform parents. You can reach parent who might not be involded through more traditional routes and it is easy, like you mentioned. It is not something else they have to do since chances are they are already checking tweets, etc. they don't have to go to the class website or only rely on the papers that come home with their student to be involved and informed. Nicole Cartledge
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 23 Nov 13
       
      I agree with you both, that twitter can be a great tool to connect with parents in a new way. I am in elementary (kinder-first), so sometimes I don't see how a tool can be useful to me and my kiddos, but I don't always think about how it can help with parents. Like you both said, many parents are too busy to participate in their child's classroom in traditional ways, but by getting the news and keeping in touch in a way that they are already using, they can feel connected. I have been dragging my feet about really using the account I signed up for so long ago, and I think I am about ready to take the leap! -Emi Blaser
    • Cecilia Zapiec
      Cecilia Zapiec on 26 Nov 13
       
      Twitter could be one of the most useful social tools. I think if many parents are on twitter, it's a quick and easy way to keep parents up to date and make them feel more informed and involved. Something I will consider in the future...
  • Other teachers will follow and soon you will share video production duties. You can create those literary video lessons you love, and let the grammar nerd colleague down the hall create the “they’re-their-there” videos. You’ve tripled your capacity now!
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      Okay, so this is the first I'd heard of 'flipping your classroom' but the concept seems both simple and practical. I like the idea of being prepared ahead of time and allowing for the chance to interject and respond to students during the presentation without loosing your train of thought. It can be viewed again by students who may need extra time to process it or who prefer to work outside of the classroom walls. The best part about this to me, if the library you can build by sharing. This does lighten the work load and allows teacher to really focus on their area of expertise. You still have the chance to add on and make it personal during presentation since you are facilitating it, what a great idea! I will be utilizing this.
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      Sorry forgot to label it-Nicole Cartledge
    • emiblaser
      emiblaser on 23 Nov 13
       
      I think you made great points about the capacity of the videos to increase time and sharing between teachers. The school I am volunteering at right now has a server for teachers to access documents and ideas, and just today the teacher I am with grabbed a behavior plan template to tailor to two of her students. Sharing resources like this cuts down on prep time and keeps teachers from having to reinvent the wheel. I think it adding videos would be a wonderful addition! Also, if you had to be absent, you could prerecord lessons that the sub could use and supplement. - Emi Blaser
    • Rachael Herr
      Rachael Herr on 23 Nov 13
       
      Nicole your comment really made me think about the flipped classroom. The first time earlier this year when I had heard of it, I wasn't sure how I felt about the concept. I was worried about differentiation, and what kind of gaps there would be if students were solely required to watch the videos at home (and didn't). What you said about personalizing it during the presentation made me see how differentiation could still be possible, and the idea of having a library of lessons allows you to still give formative assessments and make changes where necessary. Thanks for your post! - Rachael Herr
  • Students who use Twitter to contribute to class discussion more than double their class contributions.
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 22 Nov 13
       
      That statistic in itself is staggering, it absolutely gives reason to utilize this type of input format. To increase participation and more importantly allow those who wouldn't have verbally spoken up to take part in the conversation is a wonderful and very desirable benefit. I think this should be incorporated whenever possible to allow different learning styles to comfortably express themselves. Nicole Cartledge
    • Rachael Herr
      Rachael Herr on 23 Nov 13
       
      Nicole I couldn't agree more. As teachers we have to find ways to engage and reach all of our students, to the best of our ability (and then some). Seeing how connected students are to media, and how many resources are out there to get educators started with using Twitter in the classroom, vibrant class discussions should now be something every class is experiencing. -- Rachael Herr
    • Abigail Church
      Abigail Church on 23 Nov 13
       
      Nicole, you have brought a good point about how other students communicate. Not all students want to sit in class and raise their hands to participate with the discussion. Many are shy or nervous, whether because of ESL or simple personality feelings. Something like Twitter in the classroom does help to reach the vast population and allow for all of our students to be a part of the discussion. Twitter is something I do not stay with very much, but it may be something- should I eventually choose to work with upper grades- that I join and add to my class participation.
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 23 Nov 13
       
      I agree it should be utilized in the classroom with students. Like you stated in can increase participation and the fact parents can follow what their children post allows the parent to be connected to what is happening inside the classroom.
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 23 Nov 13
       
      Again forgot my name...Trina Ferringo
    • Danielle Malone
      Danielle Malone on 25 Nov 13
       
      I'm going to throw my hat in and agree with you and everyone else - Twitter could absolutely become a way for shy students to feel comfortable participating in class. I think it can also go a step beyond that as well, and provide a way for students to sort of archive their participation and go back and re-read it later to help them study. Everything that's posted on Twitter goes into the public record, so categorizing everything with a simple hashtag makes the class conversation a virtual study guide. I love the idea of using it in class, and I hope it's something my future school supports as well! (Danielle Malone)
  • Simple, if you have your lessons on your computer anyhow (worksheets Powerpoints, etc), create a 5-minute videos with Jing (see below) that reviews and explains the material and post to SchoolTube or YouTube. Students can watch from home, in the hallway, or on the bus. If you show the videos in your own classroom, you can then facilitate your own instruction.
    • Abigail Church
      Abigail Church on 23 Nov 13
       
      I have worked on flipping a classroom with my CT and the results are amazing! We use brainpopjr.com to help enhance social studies and science learning in our 2nd grade classroom and the students come in already prepared to do the hands on learning part. The "lesson" part is finished when they watch the video or powerpoint. The class time can then be used to do hands on learning. For science, I am in a STEAM room, so we do investigations with our time. We have also used videos in the classroom from time to time. I did this for my second video lesson and I think it went really well as well. There is simply so much to say, and it is so easily said with some of these strategies!
    • William Masters
      William Masters on 24 Nov 13
       
      I think sometimes people view the flipped classroom as something only for older students. These are great examples for flipping a classroom with younger grades. Thanks for sharing them. I have done the same with Brain Pop for my students. If you have a wiki or a blog you can also link to YouTube videos or other online content. It gives you a lot more time to work with the content if it can front loaded out of class. Clark Masters 
    • Daniel DiBona
      Daniel DiBona on 26 Nov 13
       
      I think with the brainpop videos it is great that they are short and sweet. That holds the students attention at any grade level like Clark said, but especially with the younger students. Too short of a video and you are just wasting their time moving them back and forth. Too long a video and you could lose your students so glad you have had a good experience with it. - Dan DiBona
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 27 Nov 13
       
      I have seen Brain Pop used in both Language Arts and a Math class. When the teacher said we are going to watch a Brain Pop video, the students became enthusiastic. What I also noticed, is when the video was playing, they actually payed attention. You could see, these short, but useful videos, assisted with students understanding the lesson more and they also found enjoyment in learning.
    • Jingyun He
      Jingyun He on 27 Nov 13
       
      This way of teaching is very useful to those who have struggling in learning since they can watch vidoes at home to learn more. They can watch and listen to the same lesson that they did in school. Then doing so can help them learn.
  • If you’ve not already done so, create a Facebook Page to connect with students. This is a good place to celebrate students and their successes.
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 23 Nov 13
       
      Even though Facebook should not be used on a personal level to connect with students it would be a great social media device to use with student on an educational level ,with focusing not necessarily on instruction all the time, but on caring. Students can support one another in a postive environment with an educator overseeing it. Also, teachers can support their students through encouraging comments and posts.
    • Trina Ferringo
      Trina Ferringo on 23 Nov 13
       
      Forgot to place my name on comment....Trina Ferringo
    • nicolecartledge
      nicolecartledge on 25 Nov 13
       
      That is a big part of supporting students and I think Facebook can be a tool that can effectively do just that. It can be utilized to help the students with educational related concerns, as well as to dissiminate informaiton, and it shows the teacher is available for support as well as utilizing the support of classmates through these media tools. Nicole Cartledge
    • Daniel DiBona
      Daniel DiBona on 26 Nov 13
       
      Facebook and other social media sites are a great way for those students who are absent to really still connect with the teacher and the other students. By building a group on one of those sites as a teacher you as the teacher can help the students set up at home study groups and build their online PLNs.-Dan DiBona
    • Bernice De Jesus
      Bernice De Jesus on 03 Dec 13
       
      Yes I do like facebook as a leaning tools, but we have to keep it just that way, a learning tools. Many teacher and students have to keep it very professional so all that use facebook are protected. Great post Bernice De Jesus
  • Do you need both Twitter and Facebook in your social media strategy? No, set the bar on what you can handle in terms of time and effort. Measure your Return on Investment (ROI) with each.
    • Daniel DiBona
      Daniel DiBona on 24 Nov 13
       
      I wanted to comment on this statement because as a new teacher I still am a bit overwhelmed with all of the new options available to me. So I am glad that those who are setting up these sites are still suggesting to work to our own comfort level. Those questions are very helpful in figuring out what I need to do to make sure the students are using the programs correctly. I also liked the point after the highlight I made was that you don't have to use these sites because there are so many other options, but since most of our students will already be on these sites, the transitions in the class are a lot quicker and a lot simpler to set up.
    • Rachael Herr
      Rachael Herr on 24 Nov 13
       
      I think looking at social media in education in terms of your ROI is really smart. I agree with your comment, Dan, on working to your own comfort level, especially when there are so many available resources out there. I think for new teachers (as well as teachers new to using social media in their instruction) having this mindset is important to keep things in perspective. -- Rachael Herr
  • Engagement is another important reason to use social networking. We know that a student who is engaged with content will learn better.  The more we can make schools seem like the world that exists outside of the 8a.m.-to-3:30p.m. confines, the better.
    • Bernice De Jesus
      Bernice De Jesus on 03 Dec 13
       
      I can attest that students who are fully egaged in social media networking as part of their total learning experience, in many cases, learn better through this out-of-classroom experience. They are more eager to partake in constructive discussions with their peers by way of a method that they are accustomed to. Prior to taking this course, I was unaware of the all the ways that social media could be utilized within the classroom to enhance learning.
pilar_fradin

Keeping up with social media--in 30 minutes a day (you heard me!) | - 60 views

www.arikhanson.com/...-30-minutes-a-day-you-heard-me

shared by pilar_fradin on 03 Mar 15 - No Cached
  • Keeping up with social media–in 30 minutes a day (you heard me!
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 03 Mar 15
       
      This presentation is from 2012; however, it has a lot of great information that I feel will really help you organize your PLN. Here is the updated presentation that corresponds with this article: http://www.slideshare.net/arikhanson/how-to-keep-up-with-social-media-in-30-minutes-a-day-of-less
  • but most folks use Google Reader. You can use either.
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 05 Mar 15
       
      Google Reader is no longer in service:(. I really miss this tool; however, feedly is a great too to use.
    • shannon_alvarez
      shannon_alvarez on 03 Mar 16
       
      What? Google has everything! ;) Has this been replaced by Google+?
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 05 Mar 15
       
      I have has such a hard time organizing the influx of blogs that Feebly will probably be the best tool I've learned about. It is a great way to organize and scan the titles of articles and posts I want to read. Rudalia Sutton
  • ...58 more annotations...
    • tghaznavi
      tghaznavi on 05 Mar 15
       
      Cadmus is a great tool to maximize downtime.  It displays content on Twitter since you last checked in.  It manages Twitter streams and takes replies in Twitter and groups them into "conversations". (t. Ghaznavi)
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      I am new to twitter how do you use Cadmus? Is it something I have to download? Rudalia Sutton
  • Use tools like Flipboard, Reeder (iPhone app) and Cadmus (great tool for catching up with what you missed on Twitter since you last signed in–see below) to keep on top of industry trends and business news.
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      Sorry, didn't add my name:   Charles E. Stuart
  • Twitter lists to follow industry thought leaders. Twitter lists to follow bloggers you want to get to know better. You can even create private Twitter lists to follow competitors, industry influencers and other folks you don’t want your competitors or others seeing. What’s more, you can steal OTHER PEOPLE’S Twitter lists for you own. That’s right–why do all the work when someone else may have already done it.
    • Cheryl Hornyak
      Cheryl Hornyak on 05 Mar 15
       
      I think this is a great idea. The steps to do this are here:https://media.twitter.com/best-practice/create-and-use-twitter-lists. As a Twitter user, I really like the idea of condensing and filtering information to be more tailored to my likes and needs.
    • jessclay
      jessclay on 08 Mar 15
       
      I love this idea! I want to use twitter for professional reasons, but I also want to be able to follow my personal interests. This would allow me to do both! I can focus on education topics when I need to without getting distracted by other news and vice versa. I have a tendency to follow any interesting leads I see so this will help keep me focused.
    • Cheryl Hornyak
      Cheryl Hornyak on 09 Mar 15
       
      I forgot to post my name on the first sticky note. C. Hornyak
    • brittaniberg
      brittaniberg on 09 Mar 15
       
      After starting this class I recently joined Twitter so I am still learning all the ins and outs that Twitter offers.  This is a cool feature that can come in handy and help limit the amount of time spent on Twitter looking for new posts by who you follow. B.Berg 
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      I am new to twitter but I will be sure to try out this technique. I am always afraid that I'll get on and get sucked in and never get any work done. So it's nice to know that I can be productive in what I read. Rudalia Sutton
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      This sounds like a great way to organize what I want to see on Twitter.  Since I am still new to Twitter, I am still overwhelmed with all of the information.  Is there an education list out there?
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      Dawn Lynn-forgot my name
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      I never even knew Twitter Lists even were a thing; however, I can definitely see the usefulness of them.  They can give you a way to section off your follows and focus on different parts at a time instead of everyone at once. (John Bugay)
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 23 Nov 15
       
      Twitter lists are wonderful! I've taken advantage of this tool in my personal life and I can see the beauty of using this in the professional life as well. Thanks for highlighting this!-Ryan Burks
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 24 Nov 15
       
      Dawn - yes, there are lists. There are also lists of twitter chats. If you google "educational twitter chat", you'll find them!
    • samanthaelaine
      samanthaelaine on 04 Mar 16
       
      This is such a good feature. It gives us the oppertunity to follow people we personally want to follow and people we follow for our careers. I would personally like this because my sister is in college and is at the age of 20. She was the one who introduced me to twitter in the first place. S Ruggiero
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I love the idea of being able to steal other users twitter lists. Why reinvent the wheel, when someone else has already created a sufficient list. C. Spina
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      It is great that you can use other users lists. It makes it much easier to find people to follow. It also reduces the time spent to find the right people to follow. C. Spina
  • think about the time you’re captive, where you have nothing to do but the task at hand. For me, it’s moving the lawn. I throw in the ear buds and spend 45 minutes mowing the lawn AND listening to my favorite podcast (and thus, getting smarter about my craft).
    • Lauren Rose
      Lauren Rose on 06 Mar 15
       
      Prior to using Podcasts, I would either use music or nothing at all during exercise time, cooking, or other activities that I can focus on something else while doing. By integrating listening to podcasts into these times, I have upped my productivity and am able to use relevant podcasts to learn more about information I am interested in. When I first saw podcasts and how lengthy many of them are, it can feel overwhelming to sit down and listen to a 30-60 minute "talk". However, if you use them while doing other activities (during cooking or long drives is my favorite) you can get what you need done while being informed. My favorite podcasts range from entertainment (Serial) to informative for teachers (TED Talks, EdReach). - Lauren Rose
    • nmlynski
      nmlynski on 06 Mar 15
       
      I recently just started to listen to podcasts while I work out, and it has been a total game-changer. I stay on the treadmill longer because I'm interested in what I'm hearing, and I'm learning something new at the same time. Definitely a good way to multi-task. (N. Mlynski)
    • Cheryl Hornyak
      Cheryl Hornyak on 07 Mar 15
       
      I have never thought of listening to anything but music while I run. I'm going to give this a try. Thanks for the tips!
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      My husband has a long commute (50 minutes) and uses the time to listen to his favorite podcasts.  He finds it calming when dealing with traffic and more interesting than morning radio!  Tonya Scott
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 08 Mar 15
       
      This is a good idea. I never thought to listen to podcast while mowing my lawn, or maybe even doing laundry. After reading this article, I have come to realize that we can use our technology at all different times of the day. Maria Onorato
    • slm389
      slm389 on 09 Mar 15
       
      My husband is very efficient in this strategy.  He listens to podcasts anytime he is doing housework and home alone.  I wish that I had the motivation to do this as well because it is a great time saver! -S. Goodyear
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 09 Mar 15
       
      You can subscribe to podcasts and the newest version will automatically pop up in your feed! -Dr. Fritz
    • ilanaaviva
      ilanaaviva on 11 Mar 15
       
      I think that this is a very good way to efficiently use time in a way that allows you to multitask. I think commuting is a great opportunity to listen to information through podcasts. I find that a lot of the time when I could be listening to informational programs, I am doing a lot of reflection and mental preparation. While I do not think that this is a bad thing, I could make more conscious efforts to put my ear plugs in. - Ilana Haas
    • meridithhayden
      meridithhayden on 15 Mar 15
       
      I agree, podcasts are a productivity game changer!  Since beginning this course, I've started listening to TED Talks a few mornings a week  during my commute.  I would have guessed I would not enjoy listening while I run, but turns out I do! --Meridith Hayden
    • Kelly VandenBosche
      Kelly VandenBosche on 04 Mar 16
       
      I would listen to podcasts in the car (just about my only downtime chore where I am not already multitasking), but my car is not new enough to have bluetooth or any other means to listen to a podcast, and headphones are illegal in the car.
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I have listened to many Podcasts. I have used them to educate myself in numerous subjects. The benefit of Podcasts is you can multi-task and still listen and absorb the information. C. Spina
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I listen to Podcasts very often. I have educated myself on numerous topics by listening to Podcasts. I love that you can listen to Podcasts and multi-task. C. Spina
  • Why should I reinvent the wheel? Heather already has all the spokes in place. Or, what about Social Media Examiner’s weekly roundup? Or, what about Sarah Evans’ daily Commentz enewsletter? One of the few enewsletter I read on a regular basis. Don’t do all the work yourself–seek out those sources that already exist and use that information to your advantage.
    • nmlynski
      nmlynski on 06 Mar 15
       
      This is something that is really important to remember when you start to feel overwhelmed by social media. Other people are out there searching for and curating the same resources that you want, use them as allies in the fight against wasted time. (N. Mlynski)
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 06 Mar 15
       
      I love this idea of seeking out sources that already exist. It will save you a lot of time.
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      You don't need to reinvent the wheel!!  I hear this all the time in reference to lesson planning, too. Tonya Scott
    • jessclay
      jessclay on 08 Mar 15
       
      This is such a useful idea, especially when you are gathering information on a new topic. It can be hard to sort and tell a resources worth if you aren't an expert. This idea allows you to filter out the resources that aren't worth your time and hone in on the really good ideas. J.Clay
    • ilanaaviva
      ilanaaviva on 11 Mar 15
       
      In general, I really like this idea of saving time and being efficient through the use of social media, including sharing the resources that another has already created. I think that is a big aspect of social media: we use it in order to assist one another and collaborate through shared ideas. - Ilana Haas
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      My thoughts are the same, don't reinvent the wheel, take it and improve on it, or adjust it to meet your needs..
    • cmcguigan91
      cmcguigan91 on 05 Mar 16
       
      I think that it is very important for us to realize that it is not necessary to "reinvent the wheel." This can save a lot of time browsing through blogs. By finding a blog that compiles a list of top posts for the week we are able to be more efficient and have more time to read and expand our knowledge and ideas. The internet and blogs are created to help share our ideas and finds with others who share the same interests and we should take advantage of these trusty sources when we can! -Carissa McGuigan
  • organize my blogs by geography (MN blogs), discipline (PR, social media, mobile), clients (industry blogs) and other miscellaneous categories (fun, business blogs, etc.).
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 06 Mar 15
       
      This is a great way to keep organized. It would be so much easier and quicker to find things you are looking for. I'm going to have to give this a try myself.
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 06 Mar 15
       
      Maria Onorato
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      I have been using Feedly and it is a great way to organize webpages, blogs, newspapers or organizations that I like to look at often.  However, I can't imagine actually only spending 15 minutes on there!!  Maybe I need to narrow down my scope a bit.  But I find that I will log-in and then spend an hour or two without realizing it!  Tonya Scott
    • jessqross
      jessqross on 22 Nov 15
       
      I know this piece resonated with me as I initially stated in the beginning of this course that I never had time to really manage my social media outlets when it came to posting and engaging on my music FB, twitter as well as my nonprofit. This gives a good way to manage them without feeling overwhelmed, more so not feeling like I don't have the time to manage them with my busy day to day schedule. -Jess Ross
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      I like that you highlighted this quote, because it gives us all a place to start with in using Feedly.  Instead of being lost we can organize it like it is laid out here.
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I agree, that this is a great tool to manage social media outlets in an efficient way. I have a hard time keeping up with checking all of my social media outlets on a daily basis. C. Spina
  • You know that time you waste each day standing in line for coffee, on the bus commuting or (gulp) in the bathroom (don’t lie, you know you do it)? You need to start using that time to your advantage.
    • cmm483
      cmm483 on 07 Mar 15
       
      I had never thought of looking through my things while I have down time, maybe I will be able to do this more now since my kids have their own ipods, kindles..... I'm going to try to do this more often, even if only 5 minutes a day! -Christina Miller
    • Cheryl Hornyak
      Cheryl Hornyak on 07 Mar 15
       
      Hi Christina, I was just thinking the same thing. I have to maximize my downtime! C. Hornyak
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      I understand what she is saying here, but I think that downtime can be good.  We need to be able to clear and rest our minds (and our eyes) sometimes.  Call me old-fashioned, but it really bothers me when I see people in public with their phones or ipads out and their eyes glued on it.  Especially young children.  I think this is one area where technology and social media is damaging our culture and society.  Just some thoughts! Sorry for the "soap-box"! Tonya Scott
    • ilanaaviva
      ilanaaviva on 08 Mar 15
       
      I think that this is a great example of how we can maximize our downtime and really put our smart phones to good use. I personally think that I would have to start making more of a conscious effort to do this because I tend to get caught up in my surroundings and would rather be present in the current moment than with my face in my phone. I completely understand the point of this strategy. I just think that for some people, they would have to change a lifestyle habit. -Ilana Haas
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 08 Mar 15
       
      I agree, I never thought that that 5 minutes in the bathroom can be beneficial, or maybe when you are on your lunch break from work. I'm going to have to remember that every time I have an extra 5 minutes to use it to my advantage and organize my PLN
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 08 Mar 15
       
      I'm sorry. I forgot to put my name- Maria Onorato
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      Maximizeing down time can be a good idea, but it can also burn you out.  We are so connected all of the time that I think we need to take a break from technology every day.  I make my children do it, so I need to lead by example! (Dawn Lynn)
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      As others have said downtime is important to relax and little and destress.  So although there are times where downtime can be used for stuff like this, we do not want to create burnout.  For example, I know some off periods I get I should use for planning and prep, but some days I just use it to unwind after a stressful class.  During days like that I could not imagine doing something like this.
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      Forgot to post my name. (John Bugay)
    • ulshf280
      ulshf280 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I actually think that this is totally ridiculous. People can't be connected all of the time. Most of the time, these are the times where it is my actual and only downtime for the day and let me tell you, I am not wasting it on social media. I need it for my own sanity! (Felicia Ulsh)
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      That's a great idea, but as most of you will soon, or at some point realize, when you move on to the journey of your doctorate, there's no such thing as "down time", but time management is definitely necessary, something that I am in constant struggle with.
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 23 Nov 15
       
      I agree - it feels so good to just leave all technology off for the day! I think deep down inside, my kids appreciate it, too:). -Dr. Fritz
    • tsc898
      tsc898 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I enjoyed this back and forth of opinions on using social media during downtime. The way I've always thought about it is whether my downtime has more opportunities from being present with my own thoughts and the world around me, or if this is a true downtime I should be taking advantage of. No one can tell you where to draw the line with too much use of technology, but I think there is a time to get busy on your phone and a time to give it a rest. Having worked at a Starbucks for some time in the past, I can say I've seen people miss great thing in the real world around them because of their phones, but I've also seen people enjoy their otherwise tedious and frustrating wait because of social media. All I can say for sure about this is to try to be mindful of those around you and to be dynamic about moving from the world on your phone to the world around you. Technology is given a bad rap because of how oblivious people can be when they use it in public. If now is the time to get stuff done in your downtime, make that little bit of effort to be good to the real people around you. Timothy Conley
    • wenwahl
      wenwahl on 05 Mar 16
       
      I can see where there are some points in time that can be used to do this but I do not think that every waking moment should be devoted to maximizing downtime. As with everything else, there should be balance. Sometimes standing in line is just for standing in line and not having your face buried in a phone. I understand what the writer is trying to say but think there should be some discretion for how literally it is applied. (W. Kerr)
    • cmcguigan91
      cmcguigan91 on 05 Mar 16
       
      I have mixed feelings about this statement. Everytime I have downtime I feel like I always reach for my phone and start browsing through all of my social media accounts. Lately I have been telling myself that I need to back off and back away from technology because I feel like it distracts me from the world around me and I don't feel like I take the time to notice my surroundings enough. I definitely think its important to try and keep up to date with new updates in the industry but I think its important to draw a line and a maximum amount of time spent doing this each day because it can really take away from personal relaxation time that I feel is important also. -Carissa McGuigan
    • shannonlowens
      shannonlowens on 06 Mar 16
       
      This reminds me of the time management exercise I used to do with college students.  I'd put a brick in a glass jar, then some stones, then some sand to fill in the gaps and ask if it was full.  When they would (inevitably) say it was full, I'd start pouring in water, then lead a discussion about finding those bits of downtime.  That being said, I think a teacher who is constantly ON - teaching, learning, seeking, reading, etc. - runs the risk of burning out very quickly.  This is especially true for those of us who are true introverts.  ~S. Owens  
    • prcammiso
      prcammiso on 06 Mar 16
       
      I strongly disagree with this quote. What happened to work/life balance? Downtime is important, and so is having interests outside of your job - especially for teachers who can get burnt out so easily. I think technology makes it so easy to be "working" 24/7 that we need to consciously separate ourselves from our jobs - which makes downtime so important. - P. Cammiso 
    • gabriellateresa
      gabriellateresa on 07 Mar 15
       
      When I was big into media and PR (before I realized my true passion in teaching!) I was ALWAYS on twitter. It actually got both myself and my significant other tons of business. I created one for both him and myself, and became so active in Twitter lists and following industry leaders that it actually had a huge effect in terms of promotion and clientele! -G.Ilisco
  • It’s a great list of interactive marketers and PR folks in the Twin Cities. Use Twitter lists to your advantage to make Twitter smaller–and more manageable–on a daily basis.
    • slm389
      slm389 on 09 Mar 15
       
      It is a great idea to steal these lists.  I don't know if I would know where to start in making my own lists, but stealing someone else's would also connect me to new Twitter bloggers! -S. Goodyear
    • jessqross
      jessqross on 22 Nov 15
       
      I am super excited to use these lists for the teacher blog/fb page I'd like to start as well as network with my nonprofit and music. I cannot believe I didn't know about this piece through twitter. This class has definitely enlightened my perspective on using social media, but understanding the simple frameworks that can make social media work for me instead of me working for it. -Jess Ross
    • gabriellateresa
      gabriellateresa on 07 Mar 15
       
      This strategy relates most to my personal life. I try my best to constantly have on my radio or podcasts to listen to as I'm doing tasks around the house. My favorite is Joel Osteen! It's such a great way to incorporate technology into your daily routines. -G.Ilisco
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      I'm not even sure how to find podcasts, let alone sort through them. Pointers anyone? Rudalia Sutton
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 11 Mar 15
       
      Rudalia - you can search for them on the Internet or look in Itunes. Sometimes the website will tell you they have them (news and sports sites especially).
  • Specifically, think about the time you’re captive, where you have nothing to do but the task at hand
  • The point is, get organized about your blog reading system
    • lminton25
      lminton25 on 07 Mar 15
       
      Ok so this is where I need to start really using social media to my benefit. I'm so used to getting my knowledge from reading magazines and talking to teachers that I work with that I forget how valuable social media is. Feebly is just the tool I need to stay organized because boy am I all over the place some days when it comes to keeping tabs on the different blogs that I sort through. With the use of feebly I can definitely take that 15 minutes to read through the important educational knowledge that is trending that I would have otherwise missed. - Lindsay Minton
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 09 Mar 15
       
      The really nice thing about feedly is that you can organize blogs into folders. So, I have my personal blogs (knitting, recipes, etc.) in separate folders. Then, I have a folder for student blogs, news, etc. -Dr. Fritz
    • slf327
      slf327 on 18 Nov 15
       
      I have never heard of this, but it is something that I think would be so beneficial. Now that I started a Twitter, I feel as if it is getting out of control, which gives me anxiety. Anything that helps me organized is a plus in my books! (Shannon Feerrar)
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 23 Nov 15
       
      Shannon - I try to get on Twitter for just a few minutes each day and scan through my feed. When the timer goes off, I leave it.....usually:). Dr. Fritz
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I like that this allows you to organize blogs in folders. It is similar to an e-mail account where you categorize e-mails. It makes it much easier to find the particular subject you are looking for. C. Spina
  • I use these articles and posts in presentations, client decks, blog posts and for reference in client meetings from time to time.
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      I really like this option although I haven't tried it.  It would be nice to be able to access highlighted information easily and quickly without having to take the time to search for the article in my bookmarks bar and then skim the article for the info.  I could pull up research or ideas at a team planning meeting or when I am writing lesson plans. Tonya Scott 
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 08 Mar 15
       
      This is actually a good idea. You never know when you might need a presentation for a work meeting, or an article for that matter.
    • maria onorato
      maria onorato on 08 Mar 15
       
      Sorry. I forgot to put my name.
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      I agree, this would be a useful tool to access information quickly.  I can see using this when I'm teaching a new idea in science and I could have highlighted information ready to view on the SmartBoard to introduce the lesson or to add information to the lesson. (Dawn Lynn)
    • jpb342
      jpb342 on 22 Nov 15
       
      Diigo is a great tool for stuff like this, because we don't always have easy access to a pen and paper to write down the sources we found.  Diigo provides an easier way of doing this that is convenient, so finding and citing sources does not become the chore it can be. (John Bugay)
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I love that I can use this tool to easily share information with my staff. I like that you can highlight information that is important when I am delivering PD. C. Spina
  • Might not seem like much, but this gives you a great way to keep tabs on journalists you’re trying to develop relationships with, colleagues in the industry, business partners and other influencers. All of which you want to stay connected to.
    • tscott34
      tscott34 on 08 Mar 15
       
      Staying in contact with colleagues through facebook has been very helpful for me.  This may be a great collaboration tool.  A back-up plan so you don't miss anything colleagues are publishing.   Tonya Scott
    • James Hughes
      James Hughes on 08 Mar 15
       
      This seems like it would have direct application to creating a PLN and nurturing the online relationships in a meaningful give-and-take kind of way.
    • James Hughes
      James Hughes on 08 Mar 15
       
      Previous comment - J. Hughes
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      I agree that podcasts are a great way to extend your PLN. I have always wanted to create my own podcasts about teaching. I just didn't know how to get it out there into the digital cosmos. Rudalia Sutton
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 23 Nov 15
       
      The message that I'm getting from this section of the text is: "Stay Connected." This is directly related to the idea and use of PLNs that we have talked about in this class. There are many ways to build your PLN and this article gives wonderful tips.-Ryan Burks
  • The point is develop a process where you can scan and save a lot of posts/articles on the Web quickly and efficiently.
    • slm389
      slm389 on 09 Mar 15
       
      I like that the author gives ideas for tools to use, but basically just gives the idea that being organized is the most important part of the process.  Finding a way to keep a daily process efficient and reliable is what is most important.
    • ryanjburks
      ryanjburks on 23 Nov 15
       
      I agree completely with this statement. Using social media needs to be a planned process and something that can become habit and a routine. It can seem overwhelming at first, but I understand how this could be a useful activity.-Ryan Burks
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I love that these tools can allow me to more easily share resources with my staff. C. Spina
  • Many folks use Paper.li as a tool to curate content and then share that content on Twitter.
    • slm389
      slm389 on 09 Mar 15
       
      This is a great idea, but seems like it would be one of the more time consuming strategies.  I do like the image that the author also posted in the article of how Paper.li sorts through content for you. 
    • meridithhayden
      meridithhayden on 15 Mar 15
       
      I can see myself using this tool more in the summer.  I generally have more down time and would be able to take my time curating, rather than only able to allot 15-20 mins a day to any social media.  I will give this a try this coming summer. --Meridith Hayden
  • Paper.li
    • brittaniberg
      brittaniberg on 09 Mar 15
       
      This seems like a great thing.  It is a way to create and combine things that we read and find interesting and then share them with others in your field.  This could be a way to combine topics and articles then share the ideas with our students so they can see how what we are learning relates to the real world.  They can also see how others in industry are talking about what they are learning. B. Berg
  • curate content
    • barbaramay
      barbaramay on 22 Nov 15
       
      Good point--I agree. It is not being lazy...it is being resourceful and efficient. Barbara may
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      What does curate content mean? Rudalia Sutton
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 11 Mar 15
       
      "gather" content
  • Google Alerts.
    • lgbeeson
      lgbeeson on 02 Mar 16
       
      I never thought about adding a google alert to keep up with educational news but this is an outstanding idea! I could tailor my alerts with specific keywords to keep up with different things! - L. Beeson
    • rjs387
      rjs387 on 09 Mar 15
       
      Google has so many different ways to access information. I will be sure to check out Google Alerts. Rudalia Sutton
  • I organize my blogs by geography (MN blogs), discipline (PR, social media, mobile), clients (industry blogs) and other miscellaneous categories (fun, business blogs, etc.). With Feedly, I can scan headlines of these blogs in about 15 minutes a day (I give myself a hard stop). I look for posts that would be relevant to clients–and interesting to me. I bookmark those I think meet those criteria, maybe share them on Twitter/Facebook and move on. 100 blogs in 15 minutes. Believe it.
    • mrslynn1321
      mrslynn1321 on 21 Nov 15
       
      This is my goal to organize social media and bookmark those things that are important to me. i would like to read important blogs in 15 minutes each day. (Dawn Lynn)
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 23 Nov 15
       
      Dawn - try feedly.com. I really like it! (And Google Reader doesn't exist anymore). -Dr. Fritz
    • samanthaelaine
      samanthaelaine on 04 Mar 16
       
      Organization is the key to everything. My blog post are not organized at all. I think that is something I need to work on. If blogs are organized than it will be possible to read blogs in 15 minutes. S Ruggiero
  • Maximize downtime
    • barbaramay
      barbaramay on 22 Nov 15
       
      this is when I have to disagree--downtime should be downtime. We do not have to constantly inundate our brains with more and more information. Sometimes, we can just let our brains relax and "zone out."
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 23 Nov 15
       
      Author for previous statement so that I can give you credit???
  • I’m talking about podcasts.
  • All of which you want to stay connected to
  • All of which you want to stay connected to.
    • cloring
      cloring on 23 Nov 15
       
      I think it's a great idea to use a tool like Feedly that just let's you see headlines. That way, you're not overwhelmed looking through a bunch of blogs, and can just refer back to the ones that really interested you
    • cloring
      cloring on 23 Nov 15
       
      Previous comment: Chelsea Loring
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 23 Nov 15
       
      Yes, Chelsea - feedly lets you also organize your feeds by subject. It is really convenient to only have to go to one page to read all of your feeds! -Dr. Fritz
  • My Diigo archive is a goldmine of articles and blog posts I’ve saved over the last 5-6 years.
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      Diigo, is very new to me and this has been my first experiences with this method of social media.  I am sure I will take some time in the near future to explore this with a deeper meaning.  What I am also finding that I find myself getting introduced to so many social media tools, that by the time I figure it all out, I will be retired and on a beach in a sunny state, but having on young adult a soph in college and one teenager in the 10th grade, and one  in the 7th and one in the 3rd (lol, that's all) I enjoy discussing some of this with them.  Especially my oldest two, to see what their knowledge base is where they are attending school.
    • Carolyn Cruz
      Carolyn Cruz on 05 Mar 16
       
      I never really thought about how valuable these tools can be. Here it is in black and white, yet again from another source. I hope to continue learning about more tools that we can use to help us build our network of resources. I agree completely that these tools can keep information at our fingertips, especially when we are all using so many mobile devices.
  • A colleague and I lamented this point a couple months ago: Why don’t more people take advantage of Twitter lists? They give you a great way to make Twitter smaller. Consider the opportunities
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      I have used Twitter on a limited bases in the past, actually after reading this, it reminded me that I had a twitter account for my non-profit organization that was maintained by another person of my organization.  I just felt that I got the same with Linkedin and had gotten use to it.  For me it's if I get use to it change becomes difficult.  It took me years to get use to not hearing the original ground line sign in of AOL, and more so to stop using AOL, actually, I still go there every now and then.  This course, all though I will admit, I have not put my best efforts in, is a very valuable course in that it educates you on what is out there and how to use these tools.  I will, as I have stated revisit all of these great tools, it will only make us more informed and social media up to date... 
    • tsc898
      tsc898 on 23 Nov 15
       
      I relate to this sentiment a lot. Twitter has never been very attractive to me partially because it's such a vast expanse of small ideas and thoughts. I tend to prefer going through articles and blogs. It's refreshing to think that you can make twitter serve to make finding those things easier. It hasn't been the best time for me to start using these social media tools recently, but in the coming months I may be moving to twitter to make the ways I already browse the internet more accessible and efficient. Timothy Conley
  • One thing I learned a while ago when it comes to curating content. If someone else is doing it better than you, steal from them
    • charles stuart
      charles stuart on 23 Nov 15
       
      Or, "hire them" and pay them their worth to keep them!  One of the most important realization of self, is knowing your limitations a lesson over the years I have been forced to learn, started out with a pluming job in my house that should have taken 2 hours, instead it took two days and a call to the plummer at weekend rates. It was at this time I fully understood someone's worth in their abilities to do things much better then I am possible of doing...
  • Facebook
    • lgbeeson
      lgbeeson on 02 Mar 16
       
      I have added and keep finding new resources to follow on Facebook and I keep adding new individuals to follow on Facebook everyday, I have stumbled upon so many excellent resources and professional development advice since I began expanding my PLN during this quarter. - L. Beeson
  • You have to maximize your downtime.
    • akenkelen
      akenkelen on 02 Mar 16
       
      I agree with Arik Hanson that as teachers, we must maximize any downtime that we have.  However, I do not think that downtime should be spent reading education blogs and twitter posts.  At least, this shouldn't happen all the time.  Everyone needs time to remove themselves from their jobs.  Not being able to do causes burn out.  I personally look forward to the little breaks during the school day so that I can turn off my brain momentarily and recharge my batteries. - Alex Kenkelen (EDUC 611-901)
  • I’m talking about podcasts.
    • corso91
      corso91 on 03 Mar 16
       
      Podcasts are an amazing resource! I was not really into them until I started this class, but there are so many different types of podcasts you can utilize to help you in the classroom. My favorite time to listen to them are in the car in the morning commute (there's no good music on this time anyway) and during my prep period. I have just been listening to them in the background as I do other work in my classroom. It is a great resource that I wish that I knew about earlier. -L.Corso
    • genevieve_kelly
      genevieve_kelly on 06 Mar 16
       
      Podcasts are so useful! I think about how often I am in the car driving from student teaching to work to school to home. I often use podcasts while I'm driving. They are an excellent resource and they introduce me to new ideas and people that can help me in the classroom and enhance my learning. -Genevieve Kelly
  • Paper.li does all the heavy lifting–and serves me up a daily/weekly digest of posts from people Paper.li thinks I find influential/interesting.
    • andreasantella
      andreasantella on 03 Mar 16
       
      It is nice that it keeps track of what might be of interest to you and shares those posts with you weekly.  This could be a big time saver.
  • It’s invaluable information–and it’s all at my fingertips because of this “scan and save” process I’ve developed (not all that groundbreaking, keep in mind)
    • samanthaelaine
      samanthaelaine on 04 Mar 16
       
      There is so much information at our fingertips and we need to be able to use it. Tools that will help us become better teachers and help us in our classrooms are all invaluable information. Scanning and saving can help us in so many ways. S Ruggiero
  • I use Diigo to not only archive posts (by tags/topics), but also to share them
    • ecameron4
      ecameron4 on 04 Mar 16
       
      One of the best ways for me to utilize social media is the ability to save things for later. Almost every time I find a great source I find while I'm waiting in line or some other time when I don't really have time to read the information but know that I want to read it later. Up to this point I have been using Pinterest to pin articles and sources for later. Diigo is a great tool however because then I can organize my saved sources. In Pinterest I have look around and hope to find the picture that goes with the link but in Diigo I can tag the post and then find it easily later. This ability to save things for later is imperative for me personally to be able to most efficiently and effectively use social media on the regular (Erin Cameron)
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I agree with you that Pinterest is not as user friendly as Diigo. C. Spina
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      This is the first time I have used Digolet, but I think it is a great tool. I would love to see this used in school and for homework assignment. Students can go in and share there ideas about any article the instructor chooses. It is an easy way for students to collaborate. C. Spina
  • but also to share
  • Paper.li
    • Kelly VandenBosche
      Kelly VandenBosche on 04 Mar 16
       
      I just checked out paper.li and found that it is moving to a paid service on March 8th. But I wasn't that impressed with it anyway. The automatically generated papers were not very well keword organized. When searching for physics education, I got mostly physical education articles.
  • Feedly
    • Kelly VandenBosche
      Kelly VandenBosche on 04 Mar 16
       
      I never got into an RSS system, because I have been far too busy. As this author mentions, I could scan the headlines, but I would never have time to go back and read the articles. Perhaps once I am finished with my PhD and concurrent MS and only have one job, I can attempt this. Now that I have some strategies, it might work.
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I have never gotten into on either. I have also been too busy with work and grad school. I hope to read more during the summer months.
    • pilar_fradin
      pilar_fradin on 08 Mar 16
       
      I still can't even figure out how they work, and how I'm supposed to find the time to read the headlines behind the articles.  I can barely find enough time for my Facebook news feed!
  • But, I also discovered a new tool called Newsle recently (thanks Heather Whaling!) that serves you up alerts (emails) each time one of your LinkedIn, Facebook or email database contacts is featured in a news story
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I explored "Newsle" and I plan on using it in the future. It saves you the time of searching for news stories containing information about people you follow on Social Media. Many times, there is a news story that would provide beneficial information to you, but you miss it because you did not have the time to browse the internet that day. C. Spina
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I researched "Newsle"and plan on using it in the future. I love that you can be notified when someone you follow on Social Media is mentioned in a news story. We do not always have time to browse the internet, so we miss articles that would be beneficial to us.
  • And, you need more information to do your job more effectively–and efficiently. And you want to stay smarter about industry trends.
    • cas3238
      cas3238 on 04 Mar 16
       
      I found this statement to be so important, because we need to constantly be learning. Education is changing so rapidly that it is hard to keep up with everything that we need to know. The more knowledge that an educator has about current educational trends, will lead to more effective instruction. C. Spina
  • Strategy #5: Turn on the radio
  • Why don’t more people take advantage of Twitter lists? They give you a great way to make Twitter smaller.
    • wenwahl
      wenwahl on 05 Mar 16
       
      Twitter is so expansive that would be almost impossible to cover all the content. Making lists is a good way to be organized and utilize the time you spend on it wisely. (W.Kerr)
  • Again
    • juliawisniewski
      juliawisniewski on 05 Mar 16
       
      It is extremely important to think about the downtime we have (especially those who are student teaching). By listening to podcasts (I listen to mine on my commute), we can maximize our learning time without wasting any time! -Julia Wisniewski
  • This is where a social bookmarking tool called Diigo does some serious heavy lifting for me
  • Curating your own content can be just as powerful as reviewing others that have done it for you.
    • cmcguigan91
      cmcguigan91 on 05 Mar 16
       
      It can be beneficial to compile our own resources i.e. blogs/articles related to education. This helps us to actively acknowledge what our particular interests are as we browse and what we personally find important. I like the idea of following blogs that curate content for you but sometimes our own interests can change and by browsing content we can evolve the content we curate accordingly. It is great that this tool will provide suggestions for you based on your interests also as it would keep the process more efficient. -Carissa McGuigan
  • Don’t do all the work yourself–seek out those sources that already exist and use that information to your advantage.
  • Don’t do all the work yourself–seek out those sources that already exist and use that information to your advantage.
  • Why don’t more people take advantage of Twitter lists?
    • cmcguigan91
      cmcguigan91 on 05 Mar 16
       
      I began using twitter several years ago as a teenager. Since then I strictly viewed twitter as a way to communicate with friends and to tweet about random thoughts. I never once thought of twitter being used for the purpose of expanding my knowledge in my professional life as a teacher. It was not until this course that I realized how beneficial it could be to use twitter for the purpose of following blogs and finding articles that would allow me to expand my knowledge as a teacher according to my own interests. I completely intend to create a twitter profile that is strictly for following professional blogs geared towards education. -Carissa McGuigan
    • Megan Krotz
      Megan Krotz on 05 Mar 16
       
      X Add Sticky Note Megan Krotz less than a minute ago Private One of the biggest takeaways I am getting from this article is to use my downtime in a productive way. Just like preparing my food for the week is the only way I pack a lunch and eat healthy, I need to find shortcuts and plan to do things like read blogs during my downtime. I did not know about setting up alerts or ways to check twitter faster, I actually try to go through the entire timeline. I think I need to spend time setting up things like this for the week, like reading 100 blogs in 15 mins and checking twitter more often! 
  • Delicious
    • shannonlowens
      shannonlowens on 06 Mar 16
       
      I attempted to use Delicious for an assignment earlier this term, but it didn't appear to have any new content in the last two years, at least that pertained to education. ~S. Owens
  • Does this scenario sound familiar? You’re stuck in meetings all day. You have absolutely no time. Yet your boss is asking you to stay on top of all things social media-related.
    • marjorierothman
      marjorierothman on 06 Mar 16
       
      What I find to be very interesting about these opening comments is that it addresses the idea that many people are being asked to follow more information than they are reasonably able to. Then the article goes on to explain how it is possible to stay up-to-date with social media in a shorter amount of time than many people would believe is possible. I think this quote is interesting because it is intrigues the reader to find out how it is possible to do more than we think we can do. I remember the first time I was on the internet, my professor telling me that the problem of the future will be that there is too much information, and we will have to week through the information to find what is actually relevant. This thought lead me to ask if it is important to scan hundreds of blogs, or is it more important to have a stronger working knowledge of actual information? I further wonder, how much information do we need, and what is the reason for scanning hundreds of blogs?
    • epbraun
      epbraun on 08 Mar 16
       
      I see how this strategy could work but unless you got back to actually read, what are you really getting out of scanning 100 blogs in 15 minutes?  I see how this works for the author but as a teacher, am I really taking advantage of the blog if I'm only scanning at the pace of 100 blogs in 15 minutes?
    • epbraun
      epbraun on 08 Mar 16
       
      I LOVE DIIGO! One of my biggest issues with reading online is that you don't have the opportunity to mark up your reading like you do with paper.  I also love that you can save for latter and use it to collaborate.  I have started using Diigo before this class and I hope to now start a more regimented process for using it.
    • epbraun
      epbraun on 08 Mar 16
       
      Driving is always a great time to listen to podcasts!  Obviously you can't take notes if needed, but I've found that Siri is a great way to jot down some things if I need to.  Think about all the time you have to drive and now imagine that time being productive!  What a difference!
  • Feedly is a blog reader tool (much like Google Reader).
    • pilar_fradin
      pilar_fradin on 08 Mar 16
       
      Feedly is laid out nicely, however I still don't understand the concept of scanning 100 blogs in 15 minutes.  Isn't that the same as simply reading the headlines? Headlines can be extremely misleading.  I tried setting up a Feedly page and I like it, but I still am not sure how I'm going to read blogs so quickly-I guess I just have to start practicing! -P. Fradin
  • mwilliams28 on 25 Nov 15
     
    The Twitter List is a great way to filter out irrelevant posts when scrolling through your timeline. I'm not a fan of not being able to Tweet a response or add to the conversation though. Marissa J Williams
  • mwilliams28 on 29 Nov 15
     
    o Is a great article on differentiating instruction! Eliminating Assessment Fog based on these three guidelines; identifying clear learning targets, separating logistical from academic, and providing different options/opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding of the content is a great way to filter out unnecessary details that may confuse our students and distract them from learning objectives and what we as teachers truly expect from them. Marissa J. Williams
  • ecameron4 on 04 Mar 16
     
    I just added my highlight and sticky note to the article but I only saw comments and highlights from 2015 so I wanted to make sure that I commented in the right place.
mkm420fritz

6 Ways Google Docs Supports Collaboration In The Writing Process - 2 views

www.teachthought.com/...oration-in-the-writing-process

shared by mkm420fritz on 05 Mar 14 - No Cached
    • Chris Andrianos
      Chris Andrianos on 05 Mar 14
       
      The freedom to connect and contribute while on the go allows the learner to be engaged all the time. Just this past week we all have used this tool and I will agree that I was eager to revisit my notes and others to observe and participate in the conversation.
    • Chris Andrianos
      Chris Andrianos on 05 Mar 14
       
      Thanks Chris Andrianos
  • Track contributions made by collaborators or identify the source of changes made to the content of a document. It’s easy to see what each individual student contributes to a document because Google Docs assigns every contributor a unique color.
    • Chris Andrianos
      Chris Andrianos on 05 Mar 14
       
      Our group project used the same approach by assigning a color to each persons comments so that the dialog could be followed clearly. I find the auto save feature within Google docs, common for todays technology but very helpful because it is one less worry when writing and you have the trust of Google cloud. Thanks Chris Andrianos
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 05 Mar 14
       
      Good point Chris, if I had a dime for every time I made edits to our group Wiki and forgot to save, I'd have a nice little paycheck.  Wiki's seem to be the more basic of the tools available to us but effective nonetheless.
  • ...23 more annotations...
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 05 Mar 14
       
      This quote really sums up what technology's affect on teaching has been.  Although it is great for students and for teachers alike, there is still an adaptation that has to occur for it to be successful.
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 05 Mar 14
       
      "The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century."- Rich Bailey
    • Sara Jugan Vinskofski
      Sara Jugan Vinskofski on 10 Mar 14
       
      While I find this statement to bevery true it reminds me of cursive writing or handwriting. I have heard that it will soon no long be part of schools curriculums. How much so we change and leave in the past?
  • The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century.”
  • The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century.”
  • The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century.”
  • The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century.”
  • The very notion of what it means to write is shifting, and educators are faced with adapting their teaching practices to integrate new technologies while redefining writing and learning for the 21st century.”
  • While students are writing drafts, teachers take advantage of opportunities to work with small instructional groups to focus on specific job-related writing tasks to prepare students to put their new skills to work and contribute to the peer editing process. Here is an overview of some of the integrated writing supports available in Google Docs to include in small group instruction to that will empower students and help redefine the writing process.
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 05 Mar 14
       
      Hmm well this is something I don't think I've ever used for school.  I have used Google Docs to post documents that I needed others to add information to (i.e. grocery lists, etc.) however in terms of peer editing, it never crossed my mind.  This article comes at a great time where I am in the midst of two group final projects, and being a student mentor for three capstone students, sharing some documents in Google Docs would make my proof reading duties much easier... Also, this highlight and sticky note tool is awesome for editing- it reminds me of Track Changes in Word but without having to fight with Word ;)
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 05 Mar 14
       
      (not sure if I need to include my name for the previous post as it looks like it posts my name, but just in case.) Rich Bailey
    • caldwell14
      caldwell14 on 07 Mar 14
       
      I definitely can see the merits of Google Docs for peer editing. I had a brief experience with this while doing a long-term sub in 8th grade literacy and the teacher had students posting comments to shared documents. Of course, this is easier said than done with large groups of students, but I did find it to be effective and a huge time-saver. It was nice not to have 29 hard copies to sort through with people forgetting to put their names on their comments. When you're logged into the Google drive, you are held accountable for your work automatically so it makes grading and keeping students on task quite easy! (Sarah Caldwell)
    • Brielle Hart
      Brielle Hart on 12 Mar 14
       
      My final project group has been using Google Docs extensively. We are collaborating with eachother on a lesson plan document while also editing eachothers additional documents such as the AUP. It has really worked out well and I too enjoy editing on Google docs much more than fighting with Word Rich! -Brielle
  • they are more likely to revisit their work if they know someone else will be commenting on it
    • Laura Acker
      Laura Acker on 06 Mar 14
       
      This reminds me of an article I read for another class which talked about students involved in writing outside the classroom in an online affinity space. They would review each other's writings and the students couldn't wait to get out of school so they could go home and write online where others would see it.
    • Januari Evans
      Januari Evans on 07 Mar 14
       
      I was going to highlight this line then saw that you did too. What a neat tool this is! (sorry had to get that out there). but I have to agree, students love to see other people commenting/remarking/suggesting etc. on their work. I think social media really brought this into light. It provides the immediate feedback they crave. I also like that they can work from home or school. Some students work better in the classroom while others work better from home. Some remember something important to add to their doc on the way home or when they are not in class. What is nice is that they can add to the doc without having to wait to go back to class. Another upside is that the student can work on the doc at school even if they 'forgot' their homework. No more excuses for them. Although they might find this as a downside!
    • Michelle Macheras
      Michelle Macheras on 07 Mar 14
       
      I was also going to highlight this idea. I actually had a student come up to me the other day and ask if I could provide more opportunities for students to come to the board and solve difficult problems. For her, the pressure (for lack of a better word) that is applied when she has to perform in front of other people as opposed to working by herself or even in groups leads her to learn the material quicker. I think this is similar to the idea of students revisiting their work when they know that others will be regularly viewing and commenting on it. Students will be curious to see what others have to say about what they have created, but they will also have additional motivation to present their best work since they know it will be available for their peers to view. The 24/7 availability also means that the students can take the time to work on the assignment whenever they want as instead of being limited to assigned working times during class.
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 08 Mar 14
       
      I was going to highlight this quote, but saw that several of you already did! I like that students can revisit their work and revise it in order to prepare for classmates or teachers to see and comment on it. Something I have been trying to work on with my first graders is accountability; when they are writing during writing workshop, I remind them that their work is going to be shared. I think doing so encourages them to write a little bit more, reread more often, and check for mistakes. 
    • E.J. Sexton
      E.J. Sexton on 08 Mar 14
       
      The use of portfolios are always emphasized as a great tool for both learning and assessment. Revisiting your work over and over again to identify areas that could be improved is one of the benefits of a portfolio. In this regard, Google Docs could be used for Online Portfolios, but I'm sure that's obvious.
    • caldwell14
      caldwell14 on 10 Mar 14
       
      As someone with limited classroom experience with Google Docs, I can champion how great it is that there is "nowhere to hide" with this technology. You've either logged in and done the assignment or you haven't so it makes grading super easy! (Sarah Caldwell)
    • Rich Bailey
      Rich Bailey on 10 Mar 14
       
      I really couldn't agree more and I am quite guilty of it.  I think that's why when I have a class with a discussion board or VoiceThread that I like to post early to give others time to comment on my work.  This to me is because I love learning of others perspectives and experiences.  I think the same goes for work that is posted for others to view, it inherently holds you more accountable for your work, which to me seems would yield a better quality of work... (Rich Bailey)
    • Sara Jugan Vinskofski
      Sara Jugan Vinskofski on 10 Mar 14
       
      I think that we have all been gulity of this. When we know our work will be graded, judged, or share with others we tend to put more effort into it. So I think this rings true.
  • A context-sensitive grammar checker can distinguish between words like “too” and “to” in a sentence and make appropriate suggestions for corrections. While Word uses color coding to make distinctions between spelling and grammar errors, Google sticks with one color, but the suggestion box offers smart and appropriate suggestions.
    • Sara Jugan Vinskofski
      Sara Jugan Vinskofski on 08 Mar 14
       
      While I think this is a great tool I don't think we should let this replace our children's ability to spell and having knowledge of proper English (SJVinskofski)
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 09 Mar 14
       
      I don't agree with spell check b/c often it replaces a word with the wrong word.....Nothing beats old fashioned reading/editing/revising!
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 09 Mar 14
       
      I agree Sara. I feel that revising and editing is one of the most important parts of the writing process. While it certainly can be challenging to teach younger children (I am student teaching in first grade) how to reread and make corrections, I absolutely see the value in learning how to revise one's work to make it even better! I am currently in the stages of teaching how to revise personal narratives during writing workshop; for some students, it can be a challenge, but I also see that all of the students do benefit.
  • Perhaps the most impressive Google Docs writing support to date is an integrated research tool that’s available right on the page. A basic search yields results relevant to the document and displays a variety of types of information beyond text  Useful content-specific buttons allow users to insert links, images,  maps, and citations into a document with the click of a button. Users can narrow a search to find only images, scholarly information and quotations. This powerful research tool provides students with convenient access to information in manageable chunks that are ready for use.
    • Derek Hughes
      Derek Hughes on 08 Mar 14
       
      I have used Google Docs before to collaborate on work, but I never realized how easy it was to do a search and incorporate that information into the document. I think this would be a great way to have students do a group research assignment. They wouldn't have to be together to discuss research and its so easy to do the research along with the document. This, coupled with the real-time editing and feedback mentioned above, would be an amazing collaborative experience for students.
    • awharris0528
      awharris0528 on 09 Mar 14
       
      The "Research" feature is something that is new to me. How amazing is it that I can keep everything pertaining to my Google Doc organized and right in front of me? This would also very very useful to students, who sometimes have a harder time keeping themselves organized. I can see this tool also being useful because it would mean that students using the Google Doc page to collaborate can ensure that they are looking at the same research to gather information. (Audra Harris) 
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 09 Mar 14
       
      I am still pretty new to using Google Docs. I had no idea of the extensive capabilities! I think it is really helpful to be able to use the research tool, and likewise to insert links, images, citations, etc. I find that most Google-related things are user-friendly, and Google Docs fits right in. Additionally as Audra noted, the "research" feature helps both teachers and students to stay organized.
    • Stephanie Mann Harvard
      Stephanie Mann Harvard on 11 Mar 14
       
      I think that in this digital age it is essential that students be able to navigate through the massive amount of information that 21st Century technology gives them access to. Further the American Library Association (ALA) defines information literacy as the skills needed to find, retrieve, analyze and use information. The Google Docs research tool helps students develop those skills. Students don't have to waste time searching through useless data from questionable or unreliable sources but are instead able to access relevant data effectively and efficiently. As a social media tool this allows students to collaborate more effectively. They have access to research & information that is available and organized in a way that helps develop understanding as well as helps them construct documents, projects, etc. so that others can learn with and from them. - Stephanie Mann Harvard
  • Since Docs are stored online, students can work at school and at home from any computer with an Internet connection
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 08 Mar 14
       
      I really like that Google Docs are so accessible to students. One of the most important factors in successful collaboration is that all members of a collaborative group have equal access and resources to share, in my opinion. Therefore, the ability to access Google Docs allows both students and teachers to access a writing sample or assignment at any time. Some students may not have internet access or a computer at home, but being able to access their work in school or at the library(or any other computer with internet) can be pretty helpful. My group and I used Google Docs to work on our project; I really liked being able to work at the same time with the other members, see what they were commenting on my work, and also being able to give immediate feedback. Google Docs has been an essential collaboration tool for our group! Lindsay Warburton
    • awharris0528
      awharris0528 on 09 Mar 14
       
      This brings up a point that I had not considered for students (which is silly really). In the lesson plan I am working on for my group project, I am having the students collaborate on Google Docs, but I had intended them to work on it at school. While it is very obvious that students can access Google Docs 24/7, it was just something I hadn't thought of. I would also like to touch on the highlight immediately following this one, which states, "they are more likely to revisit their work if they know someone else will be commenting on it." This is so true, and very important to note, especially because the students peers will be viewing the work. Students don't always care that their teacher will be viewing their work (especially in middle school, which is the age group my group is targeting) but if your assignment includes showing that work to their peers, suddenly the importance of the assignment goes to a whole new level. I truly believe that Google Docs can help excite and entice students to perform well and to use innovation and imagination with their assignments.  (Audra Harris)
    • Stephanie Mann Harvard
      Stephanie Mann Harvard on 12 Mar 14
       
      I must admit that I was initially slow to get excited about Google Docs primarily because I found myself comparing the functionality to that of Microsoft Office applications. Once I realized that the Google Docs construct was not to create another suite of applications to support productivity, and began to appreciate it as a set of tools for collaborative learning I became excited. As a result this quote emphasizes Google Docs use as a social media tool for teaching and learning. In addition to students being able to access their work from school or home, it also provides a vehicle for instructor feedback, peer edits and reviews and collaboration. Another benefit to Google Docs is that documents can be in multiple formats such as presentations, spreadsheets, etc. - Stephanie Mann Harvard
  • A built in smart spell-checking system that uses the Google Search helps students to easily identify spelling and simple grammar errors as they type.
    • E.J. Sexton
      E.J. Sexton on 08 Mar 14
       
      This would be beneficial for English as a Second Language (ESL) students. One of the strategies we learned for aiding ESL students in their writing is the use of technology that will correct mistakes as they are made instead of after the fact, as is often the case in hand-written assignments.
    • caldwell14
      caldwell14 on 10 Mar 14
       
      That's a great point about ESL/ELL students - I have several in my integrated classes this quarter and writing is a real challenge for them so any tool to alleviate that stress would be welcome/beneficial. (Sarah Caldwell)
  • Provide students with a starting point for digital writing and take advantage of a virtual copy machine by creating templates.
    • E.J. Sexton
      E.J. Sexton on 08 Mar 14
       
      I think that teachers probably underestimate the value of templates. For example, think of research papers that use APA or MLA style. Templates would be a great resource to show students what the document needs to look like, as well as give them clues on how to format the document on their own. (Plus, it saves time!)
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 09 Mar 14
       
      I feel that modeling is a really important part of every lesson. If we expect students' work to look a certain way, we should show them exactly what we expect. Templates are definitely a great resource, specifically for helping teachers model what they want a student's work to look like and for giving students a starting point.
    • caldwell14
      caldwell14 on 10 Mar 14
       
      Agreed. I realized quickly that my freshmen had never written a compare/contrast essay before so I literally had to take two class days and break down expectations for them. It was time consuming but worthwhile. If something like Google docs or a similar program were to have built-in essay templates in the future, I would jump at the chance to use them! (Sarah Caldwell)
  • Use the revision history to review, compare, or revert to a prior version of the document at any time.
    • Samantha Carrabba
      Samantha Carrabba on 08 Mar 14
       
      The ability to go back and review old versions of a document is a great tool. I have often made revision, changed my mind and decided that I liked what I wrote earlier much better than the new version. This ability to look back and see the revisions you have made gives you time to critically think about your writing and think about the changes you have made. S. Carrabba
    • lindsaywarburton
      lindsaywarburton on 09 Mar 14
       
      I can think of plenty of times when I needed the revision history tool! As you said, I have often made changes to something I was working on, but then later realized that my first draft was better. Unfortunately, Word and other programs do not save our revision history! The Google Docs capability to go back and review a prior version of my work will definitely come in handy!
  • In addition, Docs provide support for collaboration in real time so students and teachers can have a virtual mini-conference about the work in front of them from any location if the timing is right.
    • Aaron Bilby
      Aaron Bilby on 09 Mar 14
       
      I am having my students create an Erosion presentation this week in my classroom. The students are allowed to use laptop computers provided by the school in my classroom. However, I am not allowing my students to move around the classroom into their groups. I am making my students use the chat function in Google to communicate to each other as they complete their presentation. I am very interested to see how well it works!
    • Januari Evans
      Januari Evans on 12 Mar 14
       
      this sounds very interesting. Please let us know how that works out. I am sure they love using the chat function. It is like texting in class! Great use of technology in the classroom. They are learning science and computer at the same time!
  • Google’s online spell-checking service is more comprehensive than a typical dictionary because the Googlebot constantly crawls the web for new and popular definitions.
    • Aaron Bilby
      Aaron Bilby on 09 Mar 14
       
      This is a great resource. One of the things that I have noticed with my students is that they struggle with spelling. Since Google has an excellent spell checker, I have noticed very few mistakes on documents that my students create on Google.  
    • Samantha Carrabba
      Samantha Carrabba on 12 Mar 14
       
      My daughter would love this feature as she struggles with spelling. I would hope that she doesn't rely on it too much and that she practices and improves her spelling skills. I think it is a good feature but students still need to practice editing their own spelling mistakes so that they can learn from them.
  • Continuous autosave to the “Google Cloud” virtually eliminates saving issues
    • Aaron Bilby
      Aaron Bilby on 09 Mar 14
       
      Another lifesaver in the classroom. How many times do students create projects on a computer and then go to the teacher and say "my project never saved"? With auto-saving, there are no worries that a project won't save and students can't use the excuse anymore that their project did not save either! 
  • students feel a sense of accomplishment as they work their way through the suggestions of their peers
    • Brielle Hart
      Brielle Hart on 12 Mar 14
       
      This sense of accomplishment is so important for student writing! Particularly in the elementary classrooms where writing can at times be very tedious and frustrating for students since they are still learning basic skills. In my classroom students are almost done with their big informational writing piece in which they researched a President and wrote a 2 paragraph informational report. These 2 paragraphs have taken us almost a month to complete and we are finally in the typing stage. I have noticed the students ADORE editing their work on the computer and the biggest smiles fill their faces when they can finally print their work!
    • Erika Brooks
      Erika Brooks on 13 Mar 14
       
      This is the greatest thing ever! I tend to work on my projects/ assignments really late at night and by the time I finsih, I close it without saving and then the horrible feeling comes over you. I cant tell you how many times I was in tears because I didnt save something that was over 3 pages. Im happy that my students dont have to go through the same pain we went through growing up in the old days.  Erika Brooks
  • ates saving issue
  • Continuous autosave to the “Google Cloud” virtually eliminates saving issues
    • mkm420fritz
      mkm420fritz on 17 Mar 14
       
      test
  • Chris Andrianos on 10 Mar 14
     
    I know that the Google online spell checker is more developed than a word spell check but I believe the best check is done by the writer. I also love the auto save to the cloud lowering the chance to have lost your work.
William G Schumacher

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