If you are reading this via my Tweet then the answer is obviously yes. However, some of you are getting this via email from me.
What does it mean to be connected? Why am I asking? Those of you via Twitter know the answer so pardon my rant for the next few paragraphs!
Those of you not connected may not even know that August is Connected Educator Month #ce12
Why should it matter? What’s the big deal?
As many of you may know I am still fairly new to the Twitterverse – just 1 year as of a couple of weeks ago actually. However, I have shared with several of you all of the great ideas, articles, videos, quotes, and relationships I have found and built during such a short time.
I have discovered since becoming a Connected Educator I have grown personally and professionally by leaps and bounds. This has been because of all the great teachers and leaders I have connected with and learned from on a daily basis via reading, blogging, conversing directly, or #chatting.
For those of you I have had the pleasure to work with on Twitter – Thank you for helping me become a better leader and educator.
My challenge for those of you not Connected – Get Connected! You will be amazed at the wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. You won’t have to find it as it will be provided for you. You will make connections with great people, teachers, and leaders from around the world. Through the sharing you will become a better teacher, leader, and person.
Take the risk.
Take a chance.
Get Connected!!
Does being connected mean being on Twitter or is being connected mean having a community in which your are sharing and gathering information to be an informed educator (via the internet, professional organization, professional journals/magazines, or collaboration with local teachers)? I believe it to be the latter. Twitter is one way to be connected as well are the other ways that I mentioned above.
Jennifer, there are a lot of teachers that need to be face to face to really connect. Twitter works really well for people that are extremely extroverted and people that are pretty introverted but in different ways. I suspect that the middle people really get left out. I suspect that local connections would benefit the largest group, but as a teacher that works in a rural school district those opportunities are pretty rare.
Thanks for sharing William. I appreciate you reading and commenting on my blog!
You make some great points.
For me it’s about connecting and learning with the great teachers and leaders out there doing great things!
Take care!
Twitter isn’t the only way. However, for me personally it is the most connected I have ever been.
Have you tried Twitter? Joined in a #chat?
What you mention are good too, but Twitter works best for me at this time.
Thanks for your comment.
I completely agree with you about twitter. There are nings, wikis, etc, but Twitter has worked best for me as well. Follow me : ) @NikkiDRobertson
Thanks for your comment Nikki.
Me too. For some Twitter still has a stigma attached to it for some reason.
Followed
Take care!
I’ve been trying to promote the use of twitter with colleagues but without success. Many consider it to be a trivial tool! I wrote a blog post too…check my post – Twitter – My Virtual Staffroom @ http://www.inquiry-based.blogspot.com
Thanks for the comment Louise.
We are having some success, but still several are hesitant. We will continue to share via this blog and word of mouth. Slowly some have come around.
I will definitely check out your blog.
Can you be TOO connected? 15% of the adult population that is online has used Twitter, but of adults online only 8% use it regularly. Twitter is GREAT for breaking news and finding resources, but largely it’s a promotional tool for websites and such.
I wouldn’t say the use of twitter is a measurement of wether or not someone is connected.
Technology can only do so much, and when we spend all of our time being “connected” what time is left for application and implementation?
Here is the link to where I got my numbers above: http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Twitter-Use-2012.aspx
Thanks for your comment and data Steve. You make great points and raise great questions.
I’m thinking about connecting to twitter, too. I teach high school English & am one of the technology team members who is trying to infuse many kinds of technology into my every day teaching, in addition to hoping my enthusiasm for it is so infectious that other educators will want to climb on board the technology train. I am really enjoying your blog & hope you check mine out too, as I have a section on education.
Thanks for the comment. I will check out your blog for sure.
Good luck with the tech committee. Change is tough for many as you well know. All we can do is lead by example and take the hands of those willing to take the journey with us.
Take care.
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Thank you very much for you comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my blog and hope you continue to follow.