Social Media

I am finishing up in a Social Media class for work. One assignment is to blog about my experience. We have seen may different sites for social media, created user names and passwords for more than I can remember, and discussed the benefits of using social media in the classroom and as a tool for professionals.   I have found great benefit in exploring sites that are new to me and those that I already used partially.

Social media can be a huge professional development tool and teaching tool for educators. 

You can pin it, share it, tweet it, like it, blog it, tag it, hashtag it, the list goes on!  I wasn't as familiar with Live binders, wiki, or blogging. Live Binders is a place you can organize an online professional library, a wiki site can house materials for a private group (like a class) and blogging in any format can open your thoughts and opinions to the world!  There are so many more avenues for social media than I can wrap my head around!  Whatever you are looking for as a social media tool, you can find it!  Apps are being created everyday to increase the ease with which we access the world and those in the world. I have become a more connected educator and more mindful of the way I am using social media through this class. 

I am careful about the perception I give others when using social media. Although their perception is compounded with everything in their experiences, I must not provide negativity or lack of support for the job that I love!   

I will continue to be connected personally and professionally, but feel I will always be behind the 8 ball when it comes to social media. Just going to grab a cup of coffee means something new and better has been created in my absence. I plan to incorporate social media into our professional development as we begin using more technology in the classrooms and as teachers become more familiar with it. My wheels are spinning about how to move forward so it is learned and incorporated both safely and effectively.