There seem to be an endless number of new tools that claim to revolutionize education. When looking for a technology tool that will help to enhance either your teaching or learning, it is important to use the best tool for the job. Some of the more common tools that are used for sharing ideas and learning are blogs, Twitter, and video sites such as YouTube. Additionally, there are sites such as Pinterest that provide links to great resources, including blogs, Twitter accounts to follow and great resources on video sites such as YouTube.
Blogs are great tools that can be used to enhance student learning, allowing for people to both give and receive ideas, feedback and motivation.
Blogs can be used in many ways, either by creating the blog yourself or finding blogs created by other experts and educators. As a k-6 technology teacher I seek out blogs from others in my field, such as Pine Glen LTC, a librarian and technology teacher duo that integrate the two areas into their teaching, while also offering push in services for teachers. Through blogs, I have been able to generate ideas, as well as ask questions of the bloggers and other blog readers to clarify any of my confusion or misconception on a topic. Since I do not have a fellow technology teacher in my own district, blogs, Twitter and YouTube have been invaluable resources for my professional learning network, allowing me to communicate with people near and far, and benefit from a large pool of knowledge and experience.
Another tool that teachers should use to add to their professional learning networks is Twitter. According to Bedell (2011) with Twitter you can find educators and other professionals that can help add to your knowledge, support your ideas, help you think through things, and really help give you a lot of resources that can help you as an educator.” Following others on Twitter can provide inspiration and motivation to continue to use innovative ideas in your own teaching. Twitter also provides you with a seemingly endless supply of ideas, where it is encouraged to "follow" and talk to strangers. Questions can be posed, and answered by experts in the field in a matter of moments. Laura and Dan, of the blog Pine Glen LTC, are also both on Twitter. Although I began by following Dan, the technology teacher of the two, I also follow Laura, having met both of them at the Christa McAuliffe conference in December of 2013. Following both Dan and Laura provides me with great insight into how the two collaborate, and bring library and technology together. Since that is the vision I have for my own school, I often use their tweets as inspiration to continue working towards that goal.
Another tool that can be useful to educators is Pinterest. Pinterest can be used to follow other uses' bookmarked ideas, including blogs, videos, as well as list of twitter users and ed chats. Additionally Pinterest offers a variety of ways to collect ideas, which can be incorporated into your own teaching. Ideas can be gathered from people all around the world, and the search function allows you to browse through pins from all users. Before beginning my current position as a k-6 technology teacher, I went on a pinning frenzy, gathering lesson ideas, blog referrals and web resources to use with my students.
Finally, YouTube can be a great resource for teachers as well. Not only are there great videos that can be used for learning, but they can also be used to help teachers develop their own teaching skills. Videos can be used as tutorials, showing and explaining valuable teaching resources, or even classroom management suggestions. YouTube videos can be posted showing a teacher using a variety of teaching techniques. Using these videos, teachers can discover ways to incorporate these tools into their own teaching. Similarly, teachers that are experiencing struggles in the classroom, can post a short video asking for feedback from other users.
Find me!
Twitter @TechwithMsO
Resources
Bedell, J. (2011, October 7). Twitter as a Professional Learning Network.mp4.YouTube. Retrieved
February 10, 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VukO2jWBoOY
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