A Teacher's Guide to EduTwitter
Thanks to Daniela, who is a member of The Teaching Space Community, for suggesting this episode topic. You can join the community at community.theteachingspace.com. This topic has been influenced by my own experience as well a number of articles I read on the topic. I will link to the articles in the show notes which you will find at theteachingspace.com/118. This episode will focus on teachers using Twitter for their own purposes rather than using it with students. Highlights What is EduTwitter? (02:50) Educators on Twitter who generally use EduTwitter as a hashtag. Positives (03:43) It's a great way to connect with people from all over the world working in similar, or entirely different areas of education to you. Building your network in this way can lead to job offers! (Remember AJ from episode 114?) You can engage in interesting, topical discussions, get help, advice and help. You can stay current by knowing what is being discussed in education right now. It's an easy way to find links to interesting articles, podcasts, research, events etc. Event hashtags are fab. It's free PD (although often we forget to log it). It's a great way to try publishing content e.g. tweetstorms. Negatives (08.27) Twitter is a 'social' media platform - invariably you will end up using it for work purposes during social time. This is a boundary that needs consideration. If you are tweeting professionally, you need to consider your employer's viewpoint. On self-promotion. Discussions can turn nasty... not often, but they can. EduTwitter Wellbeing Strategies (11:43) It's all about boundaries. Think about how and when you will engage in Twitter conversation. Who will you be? Is yours a teaching only feed or a mix? Think twice before participating in certain discussions e.g. isolation booths, 'prog' v 'trad' teachers, certain behaviour topics etc. If you are going to participate and disagree, try to 'attack' arguments rather than the people making them (see Greg Ashman's article). Carefully curate your feed, consider your 'bubble' - don't just follow your sector or people who look at sound like you. Find hashtags of interest and check those and also use them. Participate in Twitter chats. Remember people often only show their 'best bits'. If you need a break, remove the app from your phone. Don't be afraid to unfollow people. Mute words. Be human. Final Thoughts (20:33) Treat Twitter as a community but ensure your boundaries are in place. And give me a follow if you're there or joining: MartineGuernsey. Helpful links AJ's story (podcast episode 114) A Beginner's Guide to EduTwitter The Magic That is EduTwitter and Online CPD The Golden Rule of EduTwitter How to mute words on Twitter Twitter 101: How to Start Your Own Teacher Twitter Account Martine on Twitter