Twitter

What I'm learning: WOW.  I just finished my first Twitter chat with educators across the globe.  I've had a personal Twitter for several years now.  Last semester I used Twitter to connect with students and share homework assignments during my time student teaching.  We did class discussions and I had the students tweet their thoughts and opinions when they weren't sharing aloud in class.  This summer I have been learning how to use Twitter for professional development.  I got up bright and early to participate in the #nt2t (New Teachers 2 Twitter) chat.  It's Saturday mornings 9am EST, aka 6am in Oregon.  When people say that "teachers have summers off" they do not know the amount of time and energy teachers put in over the summer as well.  I have been working hard this summer to read, connect and grow professionally.

This morning I learned about Evernote.  One teacher sent me the link to THIS conference presentation about Evernote that I need to watch.  Someone else sent me the link to an e-book about Evernote: The Complete Guide to Evernote in Education.

People also shared their blogs.  Here are a few that I want to check out.
http://creatingsuperheroes.wordpress.com/
http://adolescential.blogspot.com/
http://btcostello05.wordpress.com/
http://tritonkory.wordpress.com/
http://principalhowell.blogspot.com/
http://thecompellededucator.blogspot.com/

Here is a spreadsheet with all the different Twitter chats about education.  One teacher asked me to join the #tlap chat on Mondays.  Teach like a Pirate by Dave Burgess is a book I am currently reading.  It's SO GOOD.  Lots of neat ways to improve as a teacher.

I only wish I would have had the courage to try out Twitter as a teacher earlier.  I can only imagine how much I would have grown and improved by now.  My first chat was exciting, fast-paced, and overwhelming.  Connecting with other teachers was incredibly fulfilling.  I am not working for a specific school district next year, so it is neat to start to form a community.