Using social online networks in teaching and/or professional development

Activity 6: Using social online networks in teaching and/or professional development

Reflection 1 - What social media platform do you feel best supports engagement with your professional development? Why?

I think Google+ is a good option for people like me, as it gives little snapshots and I can click on the link to expand it if it seems relevant - as it groups 'circles' it also offers a sort of filter or filing system, which helps me to feel less bombarded and more able to quickly tap into areas of interest.

Equally I find the VLN useful as I can choose the specific groups I which to participate in, and the posts are targeted to these areas without unnecessary comments - it's not that I don't like to talk... I just want to be focused - I'm a little 'time poor' and want to use my time efficiently. If I want to chat then I'll use other platforms or go and grab a coffee face-to-face. 

I'm slowly coming around to twitter (I may have been influenced by the week 30 readings here - and a few other MINDLAB blogger's recommendations), but I need to be able to set it up properly for it to support me in my professional development. Otherwise I can get side-tracked too easily. I think this is the key... setting things up to work the way you need them too. Dear GOOGLE, a 'pinterest' style filing system for my groups would be cool... 

I was particularly influenced by this one, and how it is equipping, not just the students but the whole community, and laying foundations. This is something I would really like to explore. I wonder in immersion is the only way! (Click on link below, not picture).

Social Media For Kids (2014, Aug 15) Social Media For Kids® The Social Media Education Experts.[video file]. Retrieved fromhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2rOekhi20E

Reflection 2 - How do/would you use social media to enhance your professional development? Why? 

I've always thought we should collaborate, always. When I first started training to be a teacher, I was shocked that we were competing against each other, and not encouraged to share due to plagurism issues (which I understand, but I thought the primary purpose was to give kids the best opportunity to learn - pun intended. If we had great ideas, shouldn't we share them so all kids benefitted?). Once training was over, we went into schools, and the issue was exacerbated - schools shared within themselves, but competed against other schools - end result, a lack of collaboration to ensure best practice was available to all students. I still believe that is why we are there - for the students, and if twitter notifies me of something I ca use to improve my practice, or GOOGLE+ gives me a heads up on a great learning opportunity, then not only am I being ignorant to not use them but I am not availaing myself of the kind of collaboration I believe in, or doing the best I can for my students - it's really as simple as that!