Who the *Tweet* Cares?
Over the course of the last year I have offered many PD sessions on the basics of social networking. My usual focus is on Twitter as this is the social network which I am most inspired by in my teaching practice. These PD sessions run from one-to-one sessions to small groups (3 or 4) to class sized groups and beyond. I know I am no expert when it comes to social networking. And I always start my sessions with…
Hi…
My Name is @mrsangell and I’m a PLN Junkie…
Who the *Tweet* cares what I have to say?
1019 people on Twitter
690 friends on Facebook
and numerous more on Nings, LinkedIn and Yahoo Groups…
Image by Fanie! via Flickr
This hooks the really large groups and really small groups… I find it interesting that the take up rate with twitter from people who have never used it before is 100% in the one-to-one sessions then diminishes for the small group and class sized groups and in then increases to around 80% in the really large groups. After an explanation of the WHAT, WHO, WHEN, WHY and HOW of PLN’s we usually set up a twitter account (I’ve found most staffhave the other accounts already) and run through the basics, recommendations anddiscuss how to manage the PLN, and uses in the Classroom and for Professional Learning. I realise that this is a lot to take in when first looking at PLN’s but I feel it is necessary to get people started.
I would love to know how you teach people about Social Networks and what they can do for your teaching.
"What NO INTERNET?"
Last week I attended the BEA (Business Educators Australasia) Conference, the conference was really good. It’s always interesting to see conferences for various subject areas and the information you can gather. In a previous life I was a business teacher and it’s nice to network with teachers who have brilliant ideas in the teaching of business and any subject for that matter. In my new life I am at the conference as I’m one of their technology speakers. When I agreed to speak I asked if there would be internet access for delegates as this would form part of my presentation. I was assured there was. I asked if delegates would have their own computers and was shocked to hear that they would have access only through the computers offered during my session. But at least they would have a computer. I asked if I could use my own computer and would I have access to internet while at the conference. Yes we have wireless available for presenters. Awesome I would still have net access. However as I discovered when I arrived at the conference the access was only available during my presentation. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Maybe I’ve been spoilt at the conferences I’ve attended in the past but in 2010 is it really acceptable not to offer net access to all your delegates? Especially a business educators conference when we are offering strands in incorporating technology? I have to admit three days without internet access has been hard and I feel very disconnected from the world and my PLN.
Missed you all!!
@MrsAngell
Read MoreClean Out the Tube Quietly
I found this site accidently this week while searching for something else but the idea is fantastic. Quietube allows you to add a button to your toolbar so that when you find a YouTube or other video online you can clean out the advertising and present a clean copy of the video without seeing inappropriate content.
It is easy to add to Firefox just drag the button, however it wasn’t so easy in Internet Explorer so I put together a small video to make it easier. Check it out to see what it looks like as well.
Read MoreJoin the Group
