Challenge 15: Twitter

Challenge 15: Twitter

So I decided to start with Twitter. I created my account and set up my profile. It was very shocking that as soon as I did this, two of my former students popped up as people to follow. 

I then started playing. I have have started following a colleague, and a bunch of teachers/teaching topics, such as @educationweek, @mysteryskype, @ncte and more. 

It was really easy to set everything up--I set up my account easily. I was shocked by the groups that were on the web (NCTE, NCSS, etc.), but as a special education teacher, I couldn't find any national organization that works in this area. I wonder why?

I found some really cool things that I want to use in the next year. The most awesome thing I found while searching on twitter was Mystery Skype. I basically find another classroom or teacher via twitter or skype and my class asks questions to find out an answer the other class has. The big example was finding out where the other class is located by asking questions of the other class. I found this to be really exciting. But I am having problem getting more information about it. I am taking a break right now from this and writing this post. 

I would use twitter in a variety of ways based on what I have read so far: I can see this as a reminder tool for parents and teachers to let them know about upcoming due dates or events, a communication tool with parents--especially as we work on helping the students get ready for post-secondary goals and sending out resources to parents, and having students sending me info or short homework assignments. Some assignments that I might have students do in the future with twitter:

• pictures/descriptions of real life math examples
• when watching events (like a debate), students have to tweet their questions/reactions.
• haiku poems. I don't know if that would fit into 140 characters...
• I was thinking about having the students create advocacy campaigns related to things they see that need to be fixed, and it would be great to get this information out there and possibly as a way to contact their senator, representative, or other elected officials who are on twitter.

Welcome!

This blog is the shared space for anyone participating in the PPS EdTech Summer Camp! Through a series of creative challenges, you will build your own knowledge and skill in using technology to create and share. Each challenge asks you to share on this group blog and include a brief reflection. What does that mean? 

The reflection should capture your experience and your thinking about the challenge and the tool you explored. Here are some questions to guide you as you write your blog posts:

• What did you create, and why? 
• What went well for you?
• What was challenging?
• What did you enjoy? 
• What ideas do you have for using this tool with your students, or for using this tool to communicate with families? 

You don’t have to answer all of these questions, but hopefully, they'll help you get started!