Thank you Twitter!
After an amazing trip to New York to meet the Scholastic
bloggers for this school year, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with
Mrs. Erin Klein. While configuring the world wide web of blogging Scholastic
style, Erin curiously asked, “Are
you on Twitter?” I had an account, but really didn’t find much to do with it. I
got to see what a few people were up to here and there- nothing major. To be
completely honest with you and her at the time, I didn’t see the point of
Twitter. How was it any different from Facebook? What would I gain from being a
part of it? I was about to find out.
Erin, who promotes all things collaborative, quickly shared 5 of her Twitter friends’ addresses with me. She set me up with an
amazing Beginners PLN (Professional Learning Network) filled with the
most phenomenal teachers I had ever seen. What was once an after thought
quickly became an addiction. The constant feeds from every realm of teaching were
unbelievable. A newfound strategy,
idea, or insight within minutes; I was hooked.
While Twitter can be a bit extreme, it has become a place of
inspiration. I read articles, blogs, wikis, and so much more that people tweet
about. I feel a connection with the world of teaching that lives outside of my
classroom, outside of my district. The world of Twitter has encouraged me to
start my blog and motivated me to get out there and SHARE!
Over the past month I’ve been able to bookmark a couple of
blogs that highlight some great ideas for the start of the school year. If you
have found a blog to share, please take a moment to comment and share with all of us.
Technology and the First Day of School
Matt Gomez, @MattBGomez , is a Kindergarten teacher. He has
some great ideas on his blog. I plan to use his first day photos and video
walk.
I want to do first day photos more like a photo booth. I
will set up a station with signs similar to Matt’s and then have kids take a
picture with the sign and then a picture with a speech bubble that they can
write a message on.
Flipped Classroom 101
Todd Nesloney, @techninjatodd and his Tech Ninja pals are
spectacular. Todd’s site offers a number of teaching tools for a variety of
purposes. It has been my go to site for all things Flipped Classroom, which I plan to start this year with my team.
All things Aurasma
Two Guys and Some Ipads are truly changing the way we do
things in the Education world. They are a true motivator for engaging lessons
and innovative learning. They have been the push for the Aurasma app that is
the up and coming creative tool of the future. I visit their site for the pure
amazement of their ability to research and share so much for everyone to learn!
And last, but certainly not least is Erin.
Technology and Class at its finest
Erin Klein, @KleinErin is a classy rockstar of our education
time. Erin’s blog is elegant in style and ahead of its time in content. Erin
does a remarkable job of sharing what she is doing in her room (which is
breathtaking in itself) and everything new and exciting in the tech-happening
community. Not only does Erin introduce tech tools, she adds demos to show how
they can be incorporated into your classroom setting.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. I am all over Twitter
like cheese on a pizza! My eyes are wide open to this world of learning,
exploring, and growing as an educator. Thank you Twitter for welcoming me with
open arms; knowledge is power!
Thank you for reading!
Until next time,
Smiles!
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