Twitter EdChats – #CupofTeaCPD Trilogy Part 3(i)

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Part 3 of my #CupofTeaCPD Trilogy – It has been long anticipated by some!

So here is Part 1 of Part 3!

In #CupofTeaCPD1 I explained why I think teacher should be on Twitter.

In  #CupofTeaCPD2  I gave my Top 10 tips for starting out with Twitter.

Part 3 is going to be about really taking the opportunity to get the best out of Twitter and creating genuine, personalised professional development.

Improving knowledge and understanding of the up to date issues of education nationally and internationally. Taking the opportunity to discuss with colleagues globally.

How to do this?

Twitter Chats

http://www.muycomputerpro.com

In Part 2 of the trilogy I made reference to Twitter Chats and how interesting and useful they can be.

#CupofTeaCPD Part 2

“4: Use #hashtags

There are so many #chats to join in with. These are 30-60 mins of VERY intense tweeting about specific topics.

1. #ukedchat
2. #edchat
3. #education
4. #behaviourchat
5. #SLTchat
6. #headteacherchat
7. #MLTchat
8. #aussieEd
9. #usedchat
10. #whatisschool

The list goes on.

Many of these have the discussion topics chosen by the users. These all have an appointed day and time, so if you are prepared, you are good to go.

When you tweet to start with, include these #hashtags in what you say, people who follow them will get to see what you say and may well follow you or reply.”

The education chat on twitter provide contributors an opportunity to share ideas and practice with other educators. Contributors include teachers, leaders, inspectors and consultants – all offering answers to the proposed questions/themes. It is fast paced, hectic and tough to follow at times! Definitley a need for a Twitter Client like HootSuite or TweetDeck (@gazneedle).

I have been involved in several chats but more often I miss them as I don’t actually know when they happen, or I am too late and am out of the flow and find it hard to jump in as it can be tricky to find the initial questions.

There is a clear schedule – #aussieED and #whatisschool, which usually trend globally, are on a Sunday. (I think!)

But there are lots that can be checked out. Individual states in USA have their own and they welcome overseas teachers to jump in and contribute. There are several in the UK too.

So, my project for the next couple of weeks is to try and find out what happens when and who is in control!

I will then use this to catalogue a timetable of @Twitter #edchats and post it here.

This will hopefully be a useful resource that can be added to and amended over time.

http://www.clipartbest.com

Please fill in the Google Form below if you know of a #chat and add it to the list.

I have given the ‘option’ to rate the chat – don’t feel that you have to.

It might be a way to help people prioritise the chats they want to get involved with.

Thanks everyone!

Why should teachers be using Twitter? #CupofTeaCPD Trilogy Part 1

The reason for this post, is quite simply that it is self affirming.

I joined Twitter, professionally at least, in April 2014. I had been a Twitter non-user for a number years before that.

I didn’t get it.

Too little space, too little to read, too much nonsense, if no-one follows me what’s the point? No-one can read what I say.

As such, my profile sat, unloved, unappreciated and under used.

Then I had an epiphany (a late one, but better late than never!) I had realised it was something which could be used professionally and I knew a few people who used it, so I took the plunge and @WatsEd was born. Well created anyway.

Now 7 months later, I have Tweeted 10,622 times, I follow 1328 users (all real people too, not bots or rubbish) and am followed by 1137 users (also real people, I hope! They talk to me, so if they aren’t that’s worrying!)

I have learned more in that 5 months about what is happening in the world of education, than in the last 4 years!

• OfSted
• Curriculum
• Government Policy
• #Gove
• Tech
• App Development
• Blogging
• Leadership
• Global education
• Updates from Conferences
• Keynote Speakers
• Teachmeets

The list could go on and on.

I am not professing to be expert in any of these things, but I know things now that I didn’t before and that is an improvement.

Twitter has opened so many doors to my practice, self awareness and self reflection.

• Genius Hour (although I already did a similar thing)
• Flipped Classroom
• Raspberry Pi
• Educational authors.

All off this and more is at my fingertips – literally!

I can ask a question of my ‘Twitterati’ and within the day I will have answers, lots of answers, from people in different contexts who have a range of opinions – I can discuss them, argue my case, back down, stand up – whatever I need.

More CPD than I can handle!

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So, to the point.

I want to share my new found obsession (and it can very easily become that!) with my own colleagues.

So I asked Twitter…

“I wonder if anyone has any materials for showing staff the benefits of Twitter?”

I had a few responses, all helpful, but it was Tom Bigglestone (@the_tank) who really came through.

He shared both his very lovely printed iPad handout complete with suggested user to follow and a collection of tweets answering the question: ‘Why should teachers use Twitter?’

His blog entry I re-blogged below is the rest of his 10 minute presentation to staff.

http://tombigglestone.wordpress.com/

It was exactly what I needed – I could easily have written and said the same things, but sometimes it is nice to know that you aren’t alone in your opinions. That’s powerful.

Thanks Tom.

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There are so many professionals out there in the ‘twittersphere’ and the ‘blogosphere’ – they are nice people and they are all too keen to share their skills, knowledge and understanding with anyone who cares to ask.

Where else can you discuss a chapter of a book with the author(s) over a coffee – almost anytime you like?

What about discussion about an app that you like, with the developer and coder? It’s brilliant.

If you are a teacher and you aren’t on Twitter – why not?

@BATTTUK Twitter

I have had what I now refer to as ‘Cup of Tea CPD’ so often.

Just make a cup of tea, ask the question and discuss. 15-20 mins and you know more, or you have shared with someone else. Brilliant.

There are so many #chats to join in with – 30 mins of VERY intense tweeting about specific topics. #behaviourchat, #SLTchat, #headteacherchat, #MLTchat, #edchat, #ukedchat, #AUSSIEdchat, #usedchat, #tlap, #whatisschool – again the list goes on. Many of these have the discussion topics chosen by the users. These all have an appointed day and time, so if you are prepared, you are good to go!

Two screens is helpful to track discussions.

Sometimes it is like being a kid in sweet shop!

Image from http://www.choosewoodbridge.co.uk/

I have wholeheartedly bought into the idea that Twitte can provides some of the best CPD you can get.

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Update: 30-08-14

I have received this document as a result of these blog posts:

Essential Edchat Resource Guide

“This guide was brought to you by USC Rossier’s online EdD”

Hopefully you may find it useful.

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Update: 02-09-14

This tweet makes me very proud.

A genuine 1st tweet using #CupofTeaCPD

https://twitter.com/primaryteachni/status/506877709923155969

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Update: 04-09-14

Another 1st Tweet from my #CupofTeaCPD blogs

https://twitter.com/HayleyPreston8/status/507301255497388032

Practical P4C

On Friday morning I gave a ten-minute briefing to all staff at my school on the benefits of Twitter for teachers. Accompanied by a keynote presentation behind me, I used the words below as a rough script (though I don’t tend to read from notes when presenting). I also had designed and laminated a double-sided cardboard ipad for all to take away: on one side was a collection of replies I received to the question ‘Why should teachers be on Twitter?’ and a Getting Started guide on the other.

Please feel free to use any of these ideas to “put the case” for Twitter among your colleagues.

“This briefing is on the benefits of Twitter for teachers, and why the fact that only 4% of teachers are on Twitter means there are so many missing out on its advantages. This is not a “how-to” use Twitter. If I what I say…

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