A little birdie told me...tweet tweet

Hello! Welcome back! I hope this week of quarantine went well for you. As for myself it wasn't bad but I have to admit my motivation to get things done around the house is dwindling. 

Any-who lets jump into this week's educational technology, Professional Learning Networks or PLNs. I know what you're thinking "oh geez another thing to subscribe to" but seriously these are worth your time. Even if you look at all of them and only decide to use one your upping your game already. 

PLNs are large communities gathering via social media. PLNs can be very specific to age group and content are or broad like teachers in Kansas. Whatever group your interested in belonging to and a) receiving tons of information or b) contributing to the conversations PLNs will benefit you from start to finish. 

Some of the types of PLNs I looked into this week was Diigo and Twitter. 

Check this out on Diigo

Diigo is so cool! As a high school art teacher I think this would be so amazing to have set-up for students to use in the classroom. We are always looking for resources and references for our projects so we have a foundation of knowledge before we get started. Diigo would be a great way for me as a teacher to gently nudge my students in directions pushing them creatively. One of my favorite aspects is that not only can you save websites but you have also save pictures you find on the internet and Diigo will store them a library for you! 

As a teacher who loves to collaborate with others but rarely has the time to do so Diigo would be a great way for like minds to come together and share website, articles, etc in one place for others to see and view. Another great thing about Diigo is that you can download Diigolet which is like a toolbar within your toolbar. Diigolet allows you to highlight text, annotate, and leave sticky notes on websites for others to see. To think of the many ways to use this with students and peers seems endless. 

I really encourage you to check Diigo out, its free!

Our next PLN is Twitter. Oh yes the infamous Twitter. I have to admit when Twitter first was born I jumped on the bandwagon because that's where you could find your new first and fast. But I was just reading and liking and retweeting. I felt like what is the point if I'm just spectating. So I deleted the app and moved one to bigger and better social media. 

Now my husband LOVES Twitter. He is not the ooey gooey type to sit and look a pictures and watch videos. He loves quotes, facts, and opinions. Twitter is his jam. But I have to admit once I started looking back into Twitter and seeing what more you can do with it, it really intrigues me. 

The thing linking everyone on Twitter is the hashtag. Type a hashtag and your tweet is instantly connected to others who used the same hashtag. Want to browse a hashtag? Just search and see what the population is saying. Something I love about Twitter. 

A new thing I think could be very useful and elevating to a classroom is Twitter Chats. A moderator schedules and live chat on Twitter using a specific hashtag (shared before hand). The moderator asks questions and the viewers can weigh in and answer if they wish. Most times the hashtags are used repeatedly. 
As an art teacher (cuz you didn't know that yet) one of the hardest things is to get students to talk about art in any capacity. I think Twitter could be a great, safe way for students to answers questions. The think time is longer. Students feel safer behind their phones so hopefully they express themselves better via tweet. This idea excites me so much that I think next year I'm going to start an art twitter chat during lunch for students to participate in. 

Check out this schedule to participate in a Twitter chat. Make sure to have fun with it and use that hashtag. 

Oh also...check out my Twitter and give me a follow @MeileONHS :) 

Well I hope PLNs get you thinking about your network of professionals and how you are always challenging and growing. Once we become teachers we don't stop being students. Never forget that. 

Have a great week!