The Twitter Connection

Since I’ve started teaching one thing I’ve noticed is how much teachers share! Everything from their assignments, books, legos, and ideas. Teachers rely heavily on other educators to continuously become better teachers. However, this is no longer restricted to the confinements of one’s school or district. The creation of platforms like Pinterest and Twitter allows teachers to share and learn from others. Not only are they other teachers but they bring a fresh and new perspective to something one teacher could have been doing the same for years. More so, it is not only a tool for teachers but students as well. It allows students to see different perspectives, conversations, and expand on traditional textbook material they use in class. This new wave of interactive technology is expanding how teachers collaborate and share ideas and how students can be part of the experience as well. Twitter is not only a place to see what similar teachers are doing for a unit of Ancient Athens but is a platform where inquiries are encouraged. Teachers who seek answers to questions now have a place where other teaching experts await them. 

Twitter is not only a community of teachers who often face similar problems and questions but is an environment where constant improvement is taking shape. Teachers can find inspiration from others on how they teach and what works for them. Professional development is no longer restricted to keynote speakers but is open to other teachers with bright ideas. And because Twitter-based professional development is self-directed, it can be used to connect to each teacher’s individual needs to fill gaps whenever they appear (Hyndman, 2018). More so Twitter is giving educators a quick and trustworthy network of alike teachers who are in constant professional development. 

In addition, Twitter allows teachers to connect with their students. In the article,  Tweeting History: A Digital Literacy Lesson, one teacher uses Twitter as a place where competition and teamwork are connected with technology. In essence, students use historical knowledge, critical thinking, and digital literacy skills to tweet clues and guess the historical figure, period, or event related to those clues (Educational World, 2015). This can be a great tool for formative assessment to check student understanding and a fun and interactive way where students can take part. In all, Twitter is not only a teaching resource where educators can find professional development but a place where teaching and technology merge seamlessly. 

https://twitter.com/GylesLiam

If you click on the link above it will direct you to my personal Teacher Twitter. Since joining in February I've found tons of resources and connected with fellow student teachers. I've also connected with old teachers, past practicum staff, and teachers around the world to further my own PD. Twitter has been a great tool for myself as I start to build connections and learn more about the teaching profession.

Signing off,

Mr. Gyles.

---

Resources:

Hyndman, B. (2018). Why Teachers Are Turning to Twitter.  In The Conversation. Retrieved May 19, 2020,  from https://theconversation.com/why-teachers-are-turning-to-twitter-94582

Tomaszewski, J (2015). Tweeting History: A Digital Literacy Lesson. In Educational World Connection Teachers Together. Retrieved May 19, 2020, from https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/twitter-tweets-critical-thinking-history-shtml