Twitter Chat

So, I have officially participated in a non-course-related chat.  Well, I guess I should back up a little.  Two weeks ago I stumbled upon the #moedchat and found myself intrigued by the amount of posts that were streaming on my deck.  I took some time to peer in from the outside without participating to actually see if the chat was worth attending depending on the input and resources shared.  And, of course, I loved what I was reading.  Then came our class chat.  Certainly not rapid-fire, which was more my speed.  I am so thankful to have been able to practice together in an environment where others were in the same boat.

And, tonight, was my first official Tweet chat with the community on #moedchat.  It was wonderful!  I even felt bold enough to reflect, respond and retweet!  Our topics were about Professional Development and Social Media:

Q1: What does traditional PD in schools look like and how does it affect teacher motivation, morale, open-mindedness, and LEARNING?

• Why is it educators in a trad'l PD session at a school are bored and lifeless while educators at edcamps are full of smiles, energy, and enthusiasm on a SAT. no less?

• How to help tchrs start and 'Get' Twitter

Q2L Share prof learning programs/structures/ideas that engage educators and make them feel connected, passionate, motivated.

Q3. What role do social media tools play in active professional learning?

Q4: Since it’s Valentine’s Day, which social media tool for PD do you LOVE? Why?

Q5: Should schools/districts give educators credit for the time spent in informal pd? What would that look like?

This conversation was something that was already on my mind.  I have seen and experienced frustration with professional development that I could speak to.  With the changes expected to come with 21st Century Teachers, our development needs to follow the same route.  As I said in my Tweet, "Traditional PD Makes for crabby teachers that are tired of meeting for something they can get in an email."  While I understand the importance of us sharing common information, the idea of having to "sit and get," as was so well said in the chat, is in the past.  If schools want to have driven teachers with a desire to learn, then they need opportunities to to do just that - be a part of engaging experiences that motivate, educate and elevate each and every person.  Teachers have a lot of great ideas, experiences and passions to share!  (That is probably why my blog will continue even after the Master's courses are complete).

It was challenging keeping up with the dialogue, even with a slower refresh rate.  We trended a couple of times - I guess that's big deal?  I was also challenged with TweetChat, as it wasn't showing as many posts as my deck did when I went back to it.  I definitely am now going back through the conversations and clicking that follow button for many of the moderators, educators and administrators that participated that I felt articulated throughout well.  Many shared their blog address (that I am still visiting and sorting through), but was really struck by Greg Miller's input and blog.  It has been great hearing from an administrator and seeing how he is leading his school with social media.

All-in-all, I am going to keep on chatting.  It's more PD than I have ever imagined!