Why Tweet? Discover & Leverage Social Media. Cowen (IDA Conference 2014 T11)

Editor's Notes

1. (START 1.) ADVANCE: Test Tweet. Turn off ringer. Make sure to have dongle/cord & remote, Chocolate, Power phone FLIP CHART:@cdcowen, @LD_Expert, @LynPollard, @ATDyslexia, @Ryan_Masa, @lsalza, @LiterateNation, @PosieAK, @mysersvic, @ElennSteinberg, @IntlDyslexia., #Ldchat SET UP: 1. Dim lights, 3. Give choc to group leaders, 3. Cue iphone recording Voice Memo up/test, 4. speaker notes up, 5. water, 6. remote in hand? 7. Water.
2. PAUSE: Deep belly breaths, eye contact, smile >>> Good morning. >>> Even though folks are still arriving, we’re going to get started—we’ve got a lot to cover in this hour! >>> My name is Carolyn Cowen. >>> Welcome to “Why Tweet? Discover & Leverage Social Media to Achieve Your Goals.” >>> This talk … is dedicated to Dr. Sylvia Richardson … a very dear friend to IDA—as you heard this morning— … AND … a very dear friend to me.
3. (START CONT.) >>> I wear a couple of hats these days: >>> I’m the Social Media Editor-Strategist for IDA’s Examiner. >>> I’m also on the board of Literate Nation, and in that capacity serve as VP of Online Innovation & Executive EDITOR. >>> I’m drawing from these & other experiences to talk with you today about ways YOU can leverage social media—especially Twitter—to enhance your work and to advance the message & mission on behalf of those w/ dyslexia and others at risk *********************************************
4. (ONE WORD 1.) >>> But before I dive into all that, … I want you to take a moment … to think back to when you first heard about Twitter. >>> Jot down ONE WORD that captures the essence of your reaction when you first heard about Twitter. >>> If it’s a handful of words, that’s OK, but try for just ONE WORD that captures your reaction when you first heard about… Twitter….. >>> Take a moment to do that now… Pause. *********************************************
5. (ONE WORD CONT.) >>> Keep that word on hand for a moment … while I tell you about MY first encounter with Twitter, which took place August 2007. >>> It was …. a memorable encounter. *********************************************
6. >>> To appreciate just how memorable this encounter was, you need to know TWO things: The first thing you need to know is that I have two cats and, *********************************************
7. The second thing you need to know is that my husband, John, is an Internet-tech-early adopter type. >>> Sooooo here’s the story of MY first encounter with Twitter … and MY reaction ….. *********************************************
8. >>> My cats sometimes bring me poor mangled creatures … as tokens of their love. >>> Anyone who has been owned by a cat … knows how this works >>> You wake up in the morning … and step on a de-capitated mouse … that’s been oh-so lovingly deposited at your bedside. *********************************************
9. (KITTY CHASE 1.) >>> Or you open the door to let Kitty in, and she charges inside with a bird in her mouth …. Which, more often than not, is very much alive. >>> Then, of course, the bird escapes! … and flutters frantically throughout the house—with felines and humans in hot pursuit … feathers flying … kids screaming … dog barking. >>> It’s a hot mess *********************************************
10. >>> Now, I may be a cat lover, … but I’m also a nature lover. >>> I’ve saved countless birds INJURED in various mishaps… not just my Kitties’ victims. *********************************************
11. >>> So, few years ago, my nature-loving self finally decided that my cats would be INDOOR cats, … which limited their terror to the rodents who try to move in every winter. >>> BTW: These really aren’t my kitties you see here. I’ve withheld their images to protect ........ the guilty. *********************************************
12. >>> But in 2007, I hadn’t yet declared the backyard a Kitty Free Zone. >>> And, this was when my first encounter with Twitter occurred. >>> ….. It was a day …… when I was home …. ….alone…… It started with this sound ….. (GET PHONE READY: 1. On, 2. Voice Memo, 3. start tweet .. then advance slide...) *********************************************
13. >>> (Click start arrow twice) **TWEET**!!! **TWEET**!!! >>> Can you all hear that? **TWEET**!!! **TWEET**!!! *********************************************
14. (BIRD 1.) >>> As you might imagine, I assumed some poor bird had been brought into the house without my knowledge. >>> They often end up in the skylight near my husband’s office. >>> And, the tweets **TWEET**!! **TWEET**!! seemed to be coming from that vicinity. *********************************************
15. (BIRD CONT.) >>> Soooo, I grabbed my bird-catching tools—a towel and a laundry basket—corralled the cats into one of the kid’s bedrooms and went into … Bird Rescue Mode. >>> But I couldn’t find this bird. I looked high and low. Nothing. Finally, I gave up and went back downstairs. >>> Maybe it was my imagination…. *********************************************
16. (TWEET 1.) >>> Then I heard it again **TWEET**!! **TWEET**!! >>> It definitely was coming from my husband’s office. I dashed up there again to search. …..Again …. nothing. >>> This went on for the better part of the day. *********************************************
17. (TWEET CONT.) >>> >>> It sounded like the poor thing was trapped somewhere under or behind my husband’s desk. >>> But after hours of this, **TWEET**!! **TWEET**!! … I—the nature lover—was ready to throttle this bird myself. *********************************************
18. >>> (LEFT) When John called, I told him, “Uhh, another bird is in the house—trapped somewhere in YOUR office—and you need to come home right away to help me find it. >>> (I might have added a little incentive—saying something like, (LEFT)“Honey, if it dies there before we find it, it will stink up your office.”) >>> That worked. He hustled home. *********************************************
19. >>> When he arrived, we searched every nook and cranny …. but found nothing. … And, of course, the demon bird was silent then. >>> (RIGHT) Why, do you think there’s a bird trapped in my office? John asked. >>> (His voice was beginning to take on that skeptical tone … the one he uses in the middle of the night when I hear something downstairs … and ask him to check) *********************************************
20. >>> (LEFT) I think there’s a bird trapped in your office, I said, because, I heard the darn thing ALLLLLLL … day …. long! >>> OK. I might not have said “darn.” …. >>> …..And then ……. *********************************************
21. >>> …. we both heard it **TWEET**!! **TWEET**!! *********************************************
22.  Pause… >>> (RIGHT) Uh-oh, he said. ……  >>> (LEFT) Uh-oh is right, I said. There it is! I told you!! *********************************************
23. …….. Pause…. >>> And, that’s when he explained about … Twitter. …. >>> That sound **TWEET**!! **TWEET**!! —an alert he forgot to turn off—was the sound of each new tweet arriving in his Twitter feed. >>> And, that was MY first encounter with Twitter. PUT DOWN PHONE *********************************************
24. …. Pause >>> And my reaction? >>> Once he turned off the alert and silenced the monster …. my first thought was, ….seriously? Twitter is soooo stupid. It will never catch on. >>> Now, granted, I was not in the best mood to appreciate Twitter’s possibilities, … but at the time, … I was very certain that this was the stupidest thing I’d ever heard of >>> And, I certainly NEVER expected it to become part of my life or work. *********************************************
25. (TIME: 7 MIN) >>> So, what WORD did you write down to capture the essence of your first reaction? >>> Just for fun, turn to the person beside you and tell him or her the word you jotted down. (WATER) (TURN PHONE SOUND OFF.) (Pause. Give them a moment ..) *********************************************
26. >>> Hands up if your word is something like, ridiculous, useless, stupid, boring, self-absorbed, narcissistic, crazy, dumb, frivolous …… or anything along those lines. *********************************************
27. (HANDS UP 1.) >>> Hands up if you immediately thought, …. ››› “Oh, wow,…this is a powerful micro-blogging platform… that can be leveraged to achieve my goals. ››› and to move the message and mission …on behalf of kids with dyslexia and others at risk.” >>> No one? *********************************************
28. (HANDS UP CONT.) >>> Hands up if you anticipated that in 2014, Twitter would have 271M active users tweeting 500M tweets per day. >>> No? >>> Me neither. I didn’t see any of that coming. *********************************************
29. (TIME: 8 MIN/ASSUMPTIONS 1.) >>> Pause … So …my ASSUMPTION in putting this session together is that at least one of these TWO statements is true for almost everyone here today. 1. THE 1ST STATEMENT IS: “You care deeply about dyslexia, or LD, or struggling readers, or what Literate Nation calls “SEEDS kids,” AND you care about literacy—especially evidence-based reading instruction, or what IDA is calls “structured literacy.” 2. THE 2ND STATEMENT IS: “You work actively as a parent, or educator, or thought leader, or researcher, or advocate, or whatever to improve the teaching-learning landscape for all children, but particularly for kids at risk for school failure.” *********************************************
30. (ASSUMPTIONS CONT. 2) >>> Hands up if one or both statements apply to you. >>> Good, to know we’re all at the right conference. *********************************************
31. (ASSUMPTION CONT. 3) >>> My other assumption is that there’s a STRONG CONSENSUS in this room that one of the most important tasks before us is to bring effective reading instruction—“Structured Literacy”—to every child in every classroom across the nation. >>> Hands up if you agree … that’s a vital objective. *********************************************
32. (ASSUMPTION CONT. 4) >>> Without getting into all the scientific evidence, … it’s pretty clear that this instruction benefits nearly all children (especially those predisposed for dyslexia or at risk for other reasons) >>> AND we know that the return on investing in this instruction upstream would benefit all society downstream. *********************************************
33. SISYPHUS 1. >>> Now, certainly, gains have been made … but this has been an uphill struggle for years, in fact, for decades and decades. >>> Clearly, We must work together … EVEN MORE EFFECTIVELY to inspire, galvanize, and scaffold the action needed to implement this instruction. *********************************************
34. SISYPHUS CONT. 2 >>> And this includes broadcasting far & wide—in every communication medium & across every communication channel—the rewards, imperatives, and steps for implementing evidence-based reading instruction ….for ….. *********************************************
35. SISYPHUS CONT.3 >>> ….for every child, in every classroom, across the nation. Pause. *********************************************
36. >>> I preach to the choir, of course. >>> THIS CONFERENCE AND IDA are all about these goals, which will be reiterated over and over by great speakers for the next several days.  >>> But what you might not hear … quite so much is that SOCIAL MEDIA HAS A ROLE HERE *********************************************
37. >>> And, that’s the focus for the rest of this talk—I will show YOU how leveraging the power of social media can advance these goals—your message/our message and your mission/our mission. *********************************************
38. >>> Now, … knowing a little something about the IDA community and, well, looking around the room, … I’m guessing that most of you — like me — are NOT digital natives *********************************************
39. ….And, we’ve already established that: >>> When Twitter first arrived on the scene, most of us thought it was pretty crazy *********************************************
40. >>> I mean, what the heck can you do with 140 characters? >>> As it turns out, a LOT. >>> Who knew? *********************************************
41. >>> Not me …truth be told, I’m more comfortable with stone-age technology … than with digital technology or New Media. >>> I’m pretty tech-phobic. >>> (If you have any doubts about that, just ask the A-V guys here at the conference.) *********************************************
42. >>> NOT LONG AGO, however, I embarked on a quest to explore social media. >>> What I learned … persuaded me that anyone seeking to improve the teaching-leaning landscape should initiate his or her own quest … to understand & leverage the power of social media. >>> In this talk, I hope to inspire you to do exactly that. *********************************************
43. >>> Now, Given, my initial reaction to Twitter and my tech phobia, you might wonder how on earth I ended up embarking on this quest to explore social media? >>> Seems unlikely, right? >>> Well, I had one big advantage … and a driving force. *********************************************
44. >>> That early adopter/new-media guy —John, my husband—who tortured me with the mysterious tweets. *********************************************
45. (SCAFFOLDED 1.) >>> He not only encouraged me to leverage new-media tools/strategies to advance my mission .. He also “scaffolded” my learning a bit. >>> Let me tell you how he did this. ********************************************* .
46. (SCAFFOLDED CONT.) >>> As social media began invading our home, I was slooooow to see its power … as you might imagine. >>> Eventually, I got on FB, joined LinkedIn, started a Twitter account, and posted a few presentations on SlideShare. But .. >>> Actually, I wasn’t very active on any of those platforms. *********************************************
47. For the most part, I was: ››› Mystified by & SKEPTICAL about the whole thing ››› Too Busy to play with social media ››› And Fearful—What evil lurks beneath the surface of social media’s waters? >>> Then,… in 2010, … I received an unlikely HOLIDAY GIFT from John—a box of books on social media. .. >>> ….I kid you not, … Imagine my enthusiasm. … *********************************************
48. (CHALLENGING 1.) >>> He also made a point of challenging me w/ 2 Qs along these lines: ››› FIRST: “As a mission-driven social entrepreneur & educator, isn’t it time to learn how to leverage social media tools to achieve your goals? ››› SECOND: “How can you be so concerned w/ print literacy & ignore new-media literacy & the imperative to prepare children to live in a world that demands new-media competence?” … *********************************************
49. (CHALLENGING CONT 2.) >>> Less than thrilled, I began reading & trying strategies in books. >>> I started with LinkedIn b/c seemed more professional than FB. >>> Next, I delved MUCH more deeply into SlideShare & Twitter. *********************************************
50. (CHALLENGING CONT 3.) >>> To my surprise, … I began to like dabbling in social media & found myself venturing into its deeper waters. The small experiments I conducted began producing results, esp. on Twitter. >>> I was inspired. *********************************************
51. (CLOSET 1.) >>> But ... I was a closet Tweeter. . Pause … >>> Most of my colleagues were not, heaven forbid, tweeting and I was not ready to confess … that I had crossed over. >>> Even the word, “tweet” sounded frivolous & embarrassed me. *********************************************
52. (CLOSET CONT.) >>> But Meanwhile, building on success, my learning accelerated. >>> I witnessed the power of social media’s tools and strategies in arenas where I had thought they had no relevance. >>> Finally, I emerged from the closet to share this power w/ colleagues. *********************************************
53. >>> Actually, I was pushed out of the closet ... by Cinthia Colletti who inveigled me into doing a 5-minute presentation on social media on an IDA conference panel in 2011 >>> Right …, social media in 5 minutes… >>> But Cinthia can be persuasive >>> So that’s how I ended up embarking on this quest to explore social media … and how I discovered its power … and how I got here. *********************************************
54. MY TURN 1. >>> NOW ... It Is my turn to pay it forward. To help colleagues—especially digital immigrants, like me—journey down this social media road … (and believe me, I’m still on this journey). (Full stop) >>> However, … Since There is nothing more irritating than the sanctimony of the newly converted, I promise to temper my enthusiasm. *********************************************
55. MY TURN CONT. >>> I will not TELL YOU that social media will bring world peace, stop climate change, or even solve the challenges we face in education. And hazards do lurk in social media’s waters. >>> I will, however, try to persuade you to test these waters and to learn to swim in them safely & w/ increasing competence. *********************************************
56. >>> So, my GOAL is to inspire & empower YOU to leverage social media to advance YOUR cause & enhance YOUR work. >>> We’ll focus mostly on Twitter to do this—partly b/c I know that platform best and partly b/c it’s one of the least complicated >>> But the larger principles I discuss here today apply to ALL social media. *********************************************
57. If you already use these tools & strategies, I hope … >>> First, to Inspire further exploration and >>> Second, to encourage you to pay it forward, too—to join me in inspiring & supporting your colleagues *********************************************
58. (TIME: 16 MIN) >>> Now, AS STATED IN THE CONFERENCE PROGRAM: This presentation targets social media’s WHY? more than its HOW. This is for THREE reasons: >>> FIRST: This is a terrible venue for learning technical stuff … and we don’t have enough time. >>> SECOND: There are lots of really good How-To Guides out there already, …. some I will point you to. >>> THIRD: and most importantly, I think we all need to see good reasons before investing time to learn new things. We’re all on overwhelm. *********************************************
59. (URL 1.) ››› But for a bit more more nuts and bolts—I’ve got three URLs you might want to jot down: ››› The first URL—literatenation.org—takes you to a complementary download called “Leverage Social Media to Drive Change”—a chapter I contributed to Cinthia Coletti’s book, Blueprint for a Literate Nation. ››› You can Join LN for free and get this chap as a complementary download. You also can find Coletti’s book at literatenation.org. *********************************************
60. (URL 2.) ››› The second URL is slideshare.net/carolyndcowen. ››› This takes you to my slideshare page, where I’ve posted almost 20 presentations, several relate to social media, especially Twitter. That’s slideshare.net/carolyndcowen. *********************************************
61. (URL 3.) >>> The 3rd URL is most important and takes you to my Scoop.it page, but you don’t need to write it down and I don’t need to say it … b/c it’s in the conference program booklet. It’s at the end of the description on this session on p. 34. >>> I’ve curated tons of content on this Scoop.it page for this presentation—including several how-to guides that walk through start-up steps AND information using social media at more advanced levels. >>> DRINK WATER >>> If you need more time this slide comes back at the end. ********************************************* The 3rd source for nuts-and-bolts is my scoop.It page—that URL is just too long to say, ››› Fortunately, it’s in the conference program description for this session, so you don’t need write it down. ››› BTW: How many have you have done your HW and been to that Scoop.it page? ››› I promise to bring this slide back at the end of this presentation. DRINK WATER *********************************************
62. (SCOOP.IT 1.) >>> Speaking of Scoop.it, how many of you have done your “HW” for this session and been to that page? (Gold stars for you guys.) >>> If you haven’t been there yet, I think you’ll find it super helpful. The content I’ve curated there is in lieu of a handout. It’s also another cool social media platform to learn about, so it’s worth going there for two reasons. ››› I’ll keep updating that Scoop.it page as I find good new content. So keep checking it out. *********************************************
63. >>> This is another slide you will have an opportunity to review at the end of this talk >>> These are the Twitter addresses for most of the people I’ll mention in this presentation—people you may wish to follow. *********************************************
64. Also, >>> I want to point out the FLIP CHART. Please add your social media addresses, if you want to follow or be followed by people in this session. >>> Twitter does this cool thing on Fridays called “Follow Friday”—#FF—to help people build followings. It’s Thursday, so we’re a little early, but that’s the idea here. *********************************************
65. (TIME: 19 MIN.) >>> So, we should be about here in our time. *********************************************
66. >>> For the next 30-35 minutes, I’ll zip through lots of content to help you see the power of social media. >>> For me, understanding that power and seeing how I could use social media’s tools and strategies to enhance my work was an epiphany—the starting gun that propelled me forward. *********************************************
67. >>> My reason for racing through this content is to leave time for small-group/hands-on help with several COLLEAGUES who graciously have agreed to share their expertise and to answer your questions in small groups during the final 5-10 minutes of this session. >>> Last year we learned that people have different needs and interests, so this year, we’ll try differentiating to the extent that’s possible in a conference venue *********************************************
68. (EXPERTS 1.) >>> Here to help during our Q&A/Small Group work, we are very fortunate to have Dr. Sheldon Horowitz, Director of LD Resources at NCLD/Understood.org and host/convener of #LDChat Sheldon, are you here yet? (Please Stand, Sheldon / OK, he’s on his way.) *********************************************
69. (EXPERTS 2.) And, I just learned that Sheldon will be joined by Vanessa Bertone who does the social media for Understood … I think we can safely assume that she is a Digital Native. 2. Lyn Pollard, Parent Advocacy Manager also at NCLD/Understood.org Stand please, Lyn. 3. Jamie Martin, an Assistive Technology Consultant & Trainer. Stand Jamie. 4. Lou Salza, Head of Lawrence School. Please stand Lou. 5. And, I think we also have Elenn Steinberg from LN with us today??? … Who has been deeply involved in developing model legislation for dyslexia. Others? *********************************************
70. (EXPERTS 3.) So, you have a unique opportunity at the end of this session to meet these experts in our field and to learn more about how they leverage social media to advance the cause & enhance their work. *********************************************
71. >>> And actually, since our room isn’t in use again until 2:00, we have the luxury of extending beyond 12:45 for this small group help. >>> Please feel free to stay in your small group until about 1:00 or 1:15. >>> I realize that’s lunch time, … so we’ll provide some nutritious chocolate to help tide you over. *********************************************  
72. (TIME: 21 MIN) ››› So, for the next 30 minutes or so, I’ll focus more specifically on the WHY of SOCIAL MEDIA—especially Twitter ››› Forgive me for how quickly I’ll go—If it starts to feel like a lot to digest, remember I’ve provided URLs to help you explore more on your own *********************************************
73. >>> All you need to do now is …relax … and listen. You won’t need to take many notes. >>> Meanwhile, I’ll be working really hard up here trying to beat the clock—so I’ll need to stay on script and hold questions for the small-groups sessions. >>> Jamie or Lou, can you dim the LIGHTS a bit? >>> WATER ››› Here we go…. *********************************************
74. >>> Besides for entertaining & socializing, WHY Social Media? >>> How can it help you with your work, goals, mission …. *********************************************
75. These 4 reasons might interest YOU … *********************************************
76. 1. To enhance search engine optimization (SEO) ››› (what the heck is that?? Strategies for optimizing the chances of getting found by search engines, such as Google. More on this later.) *********************************************
77. ››› We’ll put ENHANCING SEO under the category of WEB STRATEGY. *********************************************
78. 2. To listen & broadcast *********************************************
79. ››› We’ll put listening and broadcasting under the category of Monitoring & Messaging *********************************************
80. 3. To build PLNs & Ignite social action— ››› (PLN STANDS for Personal or professional Learning Network—More on this in a moment.) *********************************************
81. ››› We’ll put building PLNs & Igniting social action under the category of NETWORKING & MOBILIZING. *********************************************
82. 4. To enrich & engage learning & differentiate teaching *********************************************
83. ››› And, we’ll put this under the category of PEDAGOGY. *********************************************
84. So, 4 GOOD REASONS or benefits: To enhance SEO To listen & broadcast To build PLNs & Ignite social action To enrich & engage learning & differentiate teaching … Four reasons, which I’ve boiled down to four strategic categories … *********************************************
85. • WEB STRATEGY • MONITORING & MESSAGING • NETWORKING & MOBILIZING • PEDAGOGY ››› 4 important strategic categories if your goal is to advance the message and the mission——and to change the teaching/learning landscape for students w/ dyslexia & kids at risk … *********************************************
86. Four important strategic categories that can be leveraged to create CHANGE … *********************************************
87. … and as tools for achieving YOUR mission … *********************************************
88. But let’s drill down and get more specific *********************************************
89. How can Social Media help you spark and power change? *********************************************
90. ››› Let’s look at Twitter—(a powerful micro-blogging platform launched in 2006)—in the context of these 4 categories …….. *********************************************
91. (TIME: 23 MIN) WEB STRATEGY — MONITOING & MESSAGING — NETWORKING & MOBILIZING — PEDAGOGY. *********************************************
92. We start with web strategy WATER? *********************************************
93. >>> How does Twitter advance web strategy … and why should you care?? >>> Let’s see a show of hands for those who blog or have a website? >>> How about another show of hands for those who are affiliated with an IDA branch with a website? >>> How about a show of hands for those who care about a school or some other organization with a website? >>> If you raised your hand for any of these, this strategic category applies to you. *********************************************
94. Think of Twitter, Linked-In, Facebook and other popular sites as Outposts for your website or blog … or for your favorite organization’s website or blog. *********************************************
95. Twitter: is like a Billboard on steroids … *********************************************
96. (BILLBOARD 1.) >>> A Billboard … driving traffic to your site. …………. *********************************************
97. (BILLBOARD CONT.) >>> Or to any group you support that has a message and a mission *********************************************
98. But how do YOU stand out in all the noise about the likes of Justin Bieber??? *********************************************
99. The answer: Hashtags – those little cross-hash marks. (Full stop) *********************************************
100. ››› A hashtag preceding particular words in your Twitter message enables people to search for messages & conversation about your topics. ››› Hashtags function something like zip codes; they allow you to target your messaging to people in your “topical neighborhoods” ››› Here you see several popular education hashtags—edchat, cpchat, edtech. *********************************************
101. ››› Here are some more education hashtags—eschools, edreform, spedchat ››› You can find lists of other education hashtags on my Scoop.it page. *********************************************
102. Now, an obscure #—like #grandparentlessons—might not be very strategic … *********************************************
103. … unless your goal is to reach this guy *********************************************
104. ON THE OTHER HAND: Tweets in high-traffic or trending hashtags might get lots of eyeballs, but they also can get lost in all the traffic. *********************************************
105. ››› So, use hashtags strategically to reach specific audiences. ››› Your message, intended audience, and goals should inform your use of hashtags *********************************************
106. (MSI 1.) ››› For Example, this is a tweet we used a while back to promote IDA’s Multisensory Research Competitive Grant program. ››› We used #neuroscience #grants #dyslexia #reading – and we attracted more proposals than ever before, and they were international. *********************************************
107. (MSI CONT.) ››› But don’t over-do hashtags. More and more I hear cautions about “hashtag overkill.” This one, with four, might be a bit much—though it certainly produced results. ››› The point is, use hashtags STRATEGICALLY and JUDICIOUSLY. *********************************************
108. (HASHTAG NEIGHBORHOOD 1.) ››› Let’s VISIT A “HASHTAG NEIGHBORHOOD” ››› APOLOGIES for the tiny font and for a screen shot of last year’s Twitter design—but it still works for my points. ››› If you enter “#dyslexia” in your Twitter search field—which arrow number 1. points to—you get pages of results related to dyslexia—that update as new tweets get posted ››› Here we have a tweet from Dislecksia The Movie about an interview with Stewart Hudson formerly of the Tremaine Foundation. *********************************************
109. (HASHTAG NEIGHBORHOOD CONT.) >>> They used “#dyslexia”—look at arrow number 2.—so their tweet appears in this “hashtag neighborhood.” They also provide a link to the video, which you could view right here. >>> (BTW: Tweets with images & picture do tend to get more clicks, than plain text tweets.) ››› the dyslexia hashtag does get traffic. In the time it took me to do this screen grab for my slide, 14 new dyslexia tweets got posted—which arrow number 3 points to. That was a year ago. I’m sure it’s even more active now. *********************************************
110. (#DYSLEXIA 1.) ››› HERE’S THE SAME DYSLEXIA HASHTAG ON ANOTHER VISIT—You may know some of these people. ››› We have a tweet about assistive technology from Jamie Martin being re-tweeted by Ben Powers—which means Ben is sharing it with all of his followers. ››› We also have a tweet from Dorothy Bishop—a professor of developmental psychology who is one of the few academics who actively blogs and tweets. She has over 15K followers! >>> If you are into neuroscience and research, you definitely should follow her. >>> If you are an academic or researcher, she’s a great model. *********************************************
111. (#DYSLEXIA CONT.) ››› We also have a tweet From the YALE CENTER FOR DYSLEXIA & CREATIVITY being re-tweeted by Decoding Dyslexia ››› So, that’s a taste of the activity in the “dyslexia HASHTAG/neighborhood”—AND, how a hashtag works——it helps you to follow conversation and people that interest you. >>> BTW, no one but me calls hashtags “topical neighborhoods.” That’s not an official Twitter term. It’s just an analogy for my “Digital Immigrant” colleagues. *********************************************
112. ››› SPEAKING OF HASHTAGS, this is the hashtag for this conference —— where you’ll find conversation & information about this conference & about people & topics related to this conference. ››› In fact, let’s make that an assignment—see if you can go to #DyslexiaCon at some point during this conference & post a tweet. ;-) *********************************************
113. Now, … In addition to the hashtag audience, your audience includes your followers. *********************************************
114. For example, ››› This is my page a year ago. Again, Twitter’s page design has changed and I’m now closing in on 1,800 followers, … but, again, this is close enough to illustrate my point. ››› The tweets you see here from me, which both happen to be RTs—one from Dorothy Bishop and another from Research ILD—went to the twitter feeds of my then 1,400 followers—they were part of my potential audience *********************************************
115. (SEO) ››› Finally, In additional to hashtags and followers, your audience includes those who might discover you via search engines. ››› This is a Google search I did on myself a while back—notice how my social media activity showed up at the TOP of the page. *********************************************
116. (SEO cont.) ››› An entire industry has grown up around the creation & use of sophisticated SEO tactics, ››› But all YOU need to know is that through the simple act of TWEETING, you can enhance SEO and page ranking, especially if you consistently & strategically use keywords and phrases that summarize or relate to your cause. ››› A CAVEATE about SEO: This is true for now …. SEO dynamics change. *********************************************
117. SO AS Deckers & Lacy of Branding Yourself say ››› “Twitter allows instantaneous sharing … of your blog or website content—the opportunity to publish to a readership of millions” ››› (BTW: Yes, this is one of the books I received as a holiday gift.) *********************************************
118. This potential “millions” come from Hashtags, Followers, and SEO. ››› Sooo, Twitter is a potent web strategy—a great way to build and engage with audience & drive traffic to sites. *********************************************
119. (TIME: 31 MIN) Our next category is MONITORING & MESSAGING WATER? *********************************************
120. How does Twitter promote monitoring & messaging? *********************************************
121. We’ll tackle monitoring first. ››› Your Twitter feed is a highly effective way to stay abreast of breaking news in specific content areas. *********************************************
122. For example, Say, you’re interested in testing policy … *********************************************
123. ….as you follow people with similar interests … their tweets show up in your Twitter feed … *********************************************
124. … and they provide links to breaking news on testing …. *********************************************
125. Such as a Huffington Post article … *********************************************
126. Or a New York Daily News article … *********************************************
127. Or a New York Times article … *********************************************
128. From your Twitter Feed, you could get links to 3 articles with valuable information. *********************************************
129. But that’s only half of it! *********************************************
130. Twitter also is a broadcasting tool … *********************************************
131. >>> Now … broadcasting is one thing *********************************************
132. … attracting listeners (“followers”) is another *********************************************
133. How do you get Twitter followers? *********************************************
134. There ARE lots of tricks & strategies to build your followers,: ››› Some of which I’m pretty cynical about b/c they’re not about authentic engagement. ››› Learning the art of a good tweet is MOST important way to build followers. *********************************************
135. And, what makes a good tweet? *********************************************
136. Effective Tweets: • Post informative links • Engage / interact / build relationships • Promote your cause ALL in 140 characters or less!!! And these days less definitely is more. Research shows that shorter tweets get more clicks. And, again, tweets w/ images do especially well, too. *********************************************
137. (ANATOMY 1.) Let’s LOOK at the anatomy of a tweet: >>> The tweet functions like a .. headline. >>> The headline is: “MAW asks, ‘what happens to deep reading in digital era?’” >>> We have 4 hashtags, #reading—which is incorporated into the tweet, saving characters—and dyslexia, neuroscience, and edtech. >>> Most importantly, we have a link—which points to a great article by MAW. >>> So, … look what you CAN do w/ 140 characters! *********************************************
138. (ANATOMY CONT.) >>> BTW: If I were tweeting this today, I’d cut the number of hashtags and try to include an image >>> ALSO: Link shorteners take lengthy URL addresses & shorten them so they don’t eat up your 140 characters. >>> If you don’t know about link shorteners, Google “bitly” and that will get you started. *********************************************
139. So, As Deckers & Lacy say, “The more content-rich your tweets, the more people will read. Content comes from linking to your blog, website & other news sources & by engaging in conversation” *********************************************
140. (DON’TS 1.) Here are some TWIITTER DON’TS • Don’t promote yourself too much (it gets old, and people will stop sharing your stuff) • Don’t overdo quotes (Some people like them, I don’t understand why anyone wastes valuable messaging opportunities repeating quotes anyone can find in a good quote book) • Don’t lose track of time (10-30 min per day is plenty) • Don’t forget … tweets are public; they last forever! *********************************************
141. (DON’TS CONT.) BTW, TO AVOID BEING HACKED, Don’t forget to change your password often. Don’t follow the buxom blond with the come-hither looks and 100 tweets that include the same link. Don’t click on links that are out-of-the-blue that don’t have anything to do w/ your messaging or mission. Rule of thumb: When in doubt, don’t click. I know all that sounds ominous, but you will learn quickly what & who to avoid. *********************************************
142. HERE ARE SOME TWITTER DOS • Do be goal oriented & relevant • Do be active (5-15 tweets per day is pretty active; if you are just starting out, 1-5 is plenty ambitious. • Do embrace “givers gain” (Deckers & Lacy suggest 1 self-serving tweet for every 9 about others or about field-related content) *********************************************
143. Deckers & Lacy ALSO say, “When it comes to Twitter, you’re expected to share others’ content more than your own …they’re more likely to share yours in return” *********************************************
144. (EXAMPLES MORE 1.) These are examples of SHARING ››› Miguel Escotet has RT-ed my “Dyslexia w/ 2020 Vision” tweet about a Perspectives issue I co-authored w/ Dr. Gordon Sherman. ››› Miguel is super active—with 32K followers—and is another neuroscience guy. ››› Now at the time, I had only 1,400 followers, but with his RT to his 32K followers, my tweet and content were broadcast to over 33K people. ››› Do you see the potential messaging power of Twitter? *********************************************
145. Sooooo….. all this brings us to a very important point …. *********************************************
146. According to a 2011 Techcrunch article ››› “Tens of millions of links are shared daily on Twitter … with 100M active users sending 230M tweets per day, Twitter is driving a good amount of sharing activity” *********************************************
147. Today it’s even higher: 271 million active users (people who tweet daily) are sending 500 million tweets per day *********************************************
148. In other words …. *********************************************
149. …Twitter’s linking and sharing culture is a powerful asset for igniting change *********************************************
150. Borrowing from Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point: ››› Mavens, connectors, and salesmen all populate Twitter—a medium that further empowers them to do what they already do so well. ››› So Twitter helps you enlist their talents to convey your messages! *********************************************
151. A final point re: Twitter’s broadcasting power ….. *********************************************
152. You have more power over your messaging & press …. *********************************************
153. You don’t need to rely so much on traditional or legacy media to tell your story …….. *********************************************
154. You can tell it yourself with accuracy & passion! *********************************************
155. (TIME: 37 MIN) And now we tackle our 3rd category: NETWORKING & MOBILIZING WATER? *********************************************
156. We start with Networking: >>> How does Twitter promote Networking? >>> Twitter helps build Personal or Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) *********************************************
157. What is a PLN? *********************************************
158. PROFESSIONAL LEARNING NETWORK’s ››› apparently, “Are “Becoming prevalent in education … and are rapidly being adopted as centers for dissemination of field-related information” *********************************************
159. (PLN 1.) A key concept of PLN’s is that they are LEARNER CENTERED. ››› “Learners create connections & develop networks that contribute to their professional development.” ››› How many of you are on SpellTalk’s list serve? (Hands?) SpellTalk is a great example of an online PLN—this one is a listserve rather than a micro-blogging platform like Twitter, but the idea is the same. *********************************************
160. (PLN CONT) ››› BTW: If you go to the Learning By Design booth in the Exhibit Hall, you can get on SpellTalk – or just Google it ››› I recommend SpellTalk—it’s thought-provoking dialogue, debate, and sharing among thought leaders and practitioners in our field. … I tend to lurk. But I’ve learned a LOT on that listserve and gotten to know some interesting people. ››› So, Spelltalk is a great example of a PLN. *********************************************
161. (NOT SUFFICIENT 1.) ››› We probably can anticipate that PLNs driven by social media will play an expanding role in 21st century teacher preparation, professional development, and consensus building. *********************************************
162. (NOT SUFFICIENT CONT.) ››› NOW … Most literacy leaders & LD CHAMPIONS of the “evidence-based persuasion” will feel some discomfort w/ the learner-centric theme at the heart of PLNs … and will worry about leaving too much responsibility for professional learning in the hands of those who may not know enough … to know …what they do not know, … never mind how to acquire the deep knowledge they need. ››› A concern? yes! *********************************************
163. (IMAGINE 1.) ››› But imagine the synergistic power in organizing PLNs for literacy educators in teacher preparation & professional development programs that embody, for example, the tenets of IDA’s Knowledge & Practice Standards for Teachers of Reading. ››› Imagine leveraging PLNs to organize a grassroots campaign to raise public awareness about the knowledge base required for skilled reading instruction. ››› How many of you attended YESTERDAY’S SESSION ON THE SCIENCE OF IMPLEMENTATION? It was one of the most important sessions I’ve attended here for yrs—and it prompted me to … Imagine what it would be like to leverage PLNs & other social media to disseminate information about Implementation Best Practices and Tenets. *********************************************
164. (IMAGINE CONT.) ›››› And, finally, Imagine coordinating PLNs nationwide to share effective strategies & tools for pushing for state literacy laws—tools like the “General Provisions of Literacy Law,” which you can find in Coletti’s Blueprint for a Literate Nation. ››› BTW: Tools—like IDA’s “Knowledge & Practice Standards & Literate Nation’s “Literacy Law Provisions”—and tons more good stuff can be found on both IDA’s & LN’s websites. *********************************************
165. Of course, PLNs are not new. ››› Throughout human history, formal and informal professional and grassroots networks always have shared knowledge and information to advance social goals. *********************************************
166. Here is what is new: >>> Social media platforms, like Twitter, expand the power and reach of these learning networks profoundly. *********************************************
167. (TIME: 40 MIN) Finishing up our third strategic category ….. *********************************************
168. ….IN ADDITION TO NETWORKING, >>> Twitter has the power to mobilize … TO ignite …social action for good … and.. *********************************************
169. …. and bad. For good and bad…. ››› Twitter played a role in the UK’s civil unrest in the spring of 2011, was used to organize protests in the Arab Spring, and helped launch the “Occupy Movement” ››› Twitter served as an emergency communication system during the Boston Marathon Bombing & CA earthquakes & brushfires. ››› Not bad for a social media platform launched just in 2006. *********************************************
170. IN OUR FIELD ››› Twitter’s power to galvanize and coordinate social action has been leveraged in education-reform battles *********************************************
171. During the summer of 2011, ››› a grassroots effort called Save Our Schools (SOS) organized a march in Washington DC. ››› It was a big deal—they got lots of press and even got an invitation to the White House. *********************************************
172. (SOS 1.) ››› That’s Matt Damon in the upper right box speaking at the march >>> The boxes below are CNN interviews ››› NOW Leaving aside how you may feel about some of SOS’s demands (which will worry parents, educators, and policy-makers fighting for “evidenced-based practices”) ››› But leaving that aside … the SOS movement, offers important lessons in deploying social media to achieve social goals *********************************************
173. (SOS CONT.) ››› SOS was especially skillful in leveraging Twitter to: ›› 1. Recruit new members and build community identity around shared frustrations ›› 2. Tweet a barrage of headlines driving traffic to websites and to blogs where prolific writers further articulated the cause ›› 3. Sustain ongoing conversation around core talking points ›› 4. Attract the attention of traditional press ›› And 5., Focus attention on a CTA—a Washington march that further solidified everything else. *********************************************
174. (ILLUSTRATES 1.) ››› Not that there weren’t missteps in SOS—the decision NOT to accept an invitation to meet with the Whitehouse might have been one. ››› After some big initial successes, SOS fell into many of the PITFALLS that can limit the impact & lifespan of grassroots movements & nonprofits. *********************************************
175. (ILLUSTRATES CONT.) ››› Still, SOS illustrates Twitter’s mobilizing power … ››› AND, its limitations. Twitter cannot sustain a movement that lacks ongoing leadership, focus, and capacity. *********************************************
176. What Twitter CAN be is a very powerful NETWORKING/ and mobilizing tool for social-action. *********************************************
177. And, mobile media just makes the whole thing faster and more global. *********************************************
178. (TIME: 43 MIN) Now we tackle our 4th and final category. WATER? *********************************************
179. How can Twitter help enrich & engage LEARNING & differentiate TEACHING? *********************************************
180. ››› Twitter & other social media are at the heart of a Freewheeling pedagogical frontier. ››› Exploration, intuition, improvisation, & market forces will drive development of social media/education practices & interventions for quite a while. ››› There will be risk-taking, missteps, snake-oil salesmen, and brilliant innovation. *********************************************
181. It will take years for empirical research to catch up (if it ever does). *********************************************
182. ››› YES, schools are struggling with online policies & access issues, but this train has left the station. ››› Like it or not, educators already are experimenting w/ social media to enrich & engage learning, to differentiate teaching, & for other school-related goals. ››› For examples: Here we have a tweet that says “How a kindergarten class uses Twitter to learn about the world” with a link. *********************************************
183. Here are some other examples: 60 Inspiring Examples of Twitter in the classroom Twitter as a curation tool Bloom’s Taxonomy & Twitter (something I never thought I would see.) There’s much more of this on my Scoop.it page. ********************************************
184. (WATERS 1.) SO These are uncharted waters. ››› Shouldn’t the people who know the most about the knowledge base required for skilled reading instruction be exploring these waters, too? ››› Given what we know about the reading brain and the science of teaching and learning, shouldn’t WE be out there, too, helping to chart these waters? *********************************************
185. (WATERS CONT.) ››› And, if we worry about the erosion of “deep reading” skills in a digital environment—as cognitive neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf cautions— … ››› …shouldn’t WE be lending our expertise to navigate these waters … and to ensure that one of civilization’s great TRIUMPHS—the capacity for DEEP READING & THINKING SKILLS—is not lost along the way? *********************************************
186. I THINK Our expertise is needed ››› to help determine what is pedagogically promising in this free-wheeling social-media frontier and ››› to meld these promising practices with the substantial body of multidisciplinary knowledge about effective reading instruction. *********************************************
187. (TIME: 45 MIN.) ………..SO, Wrapping Up: we’ve been looking at social media’s why?? Especially Twitter. *********************************************
188. ››› Will Twitter save the planet or, barring that, solve challenges in education? ››› Of course not. ››› And, to be sure, social media has plenty of downsides …. *********************************************
189. I don’t want to over sell twitter ››› Frederick Hess voices an important caution in his book, The Same Thing Over and Over: How School Reformers Get Stuck in Yesterday’s Ideas. ››› He says: “The challenge is not to romanticize any given technological advance, but to ask how it might be used to solve problems in smarter ways” *********************************************
190. With those important qualifiers underscored, ››› I have no doubt that Twitter can be a power tool for literacy educators & champions. ››› As Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions said, “Twitter is the most powerful enchantment tool I’ve used in my career.” ››› Kawasaki is the former chief evangelist of Apple, so that’s really saying something. *********************************************
191. ››› Perhaps enchantment has been a missing ingredient in our decades-long campaign to bring skilled reading instruction to every child, in every classroom, across the nation. ››› We’ve tried the levers of research, policy, legislation, and accountability …with mixed results …. ››› But how well have we practiced the art of enchantment to change hearts, minds, and actions? *********************************************
192. So, …. Twitter is a powerful social media tool … (Like all tools, it has limitations. It is as good or bad as the humans who wield it.) *********************************************
193. Twitter is a tool for sparking and powering change ….. *********************************************
194. …. for enchanting For transforming hearts, minds, & action …. and …. *********************************************
195. … and for building grassroots support. *********************************************
196. Yes, using Twitter requires learning a few tricks and strategies, ››› But it is not rocket science ››› As Louisa Moats famously said, Teaching reading is rocket science …. (How true that is, … if you can teach reading, I know you can do Twitter.) *********************************************
197. And if I can do Twitter—someone who is tech-challenged and who started out, shall we say, less than enthusiastically—I know you can, too. *********************************************
198. TwItter is low-hanging fruit. Why not pluck it? *********************************************
199. There’s one more reason to consider getting on Twitter …. *********************************************
200. So far, in my brief exploration of social media, ››› I’ve been struck by the conspicuous absence of most literacy and learning differences experts. ››› We have very little “skin in the game,” especially on Twitter … and especially among thought leaders, academics, & researchers. *********************************************
201. Pause ….LEAVING THE STAGE TO THESE GUYS. …… THE CRAZIES. … or to be kinder about this, to the misinformed. … pause… ››› I think we’ve been pretty darn slow plucking this low-hanging fruit—one of the reasons I’ve been doing this presentation in various forms since 2011. *********************************************
202. ››› Lately, though, … there HAS been much more activity among colleagues & organizations in our community. ››› For example, NCLD has been hosting #LDChat, I think since 2012. >>> #LD Chat is held Wednesdays at noon ET >>> It’s a great way to plug into our online community, especially for parents. *********************************************
203. ››› And, kudos to NCLD and the 14 other nonprofits behind launching UNDERSTOOD.ORG—a powerful website providing invaluable help and resources about learning and attention issues. ››› Watching what they do w/ SOCIAL MEDIA will be fascinating ... and probably very innovative. *********************************************
204. And of course, Decoding Dyslexia really gets it ››› They’ve LEVERAGED SOCIAL MEDIA for rapid grassroots growth—growth that was impossible for previous iterations of parent/grassroots/advocacy groups….. ››› The trick will be to SUSTAIN THEIR EFFORTS AND IMPACT. *********************************************
205. ››› We’re also seeing many other organizations beginning to ramp up their presence on Twitter and other social media. *********************************************
206. ››› And, we are seeing a number of INDIVIDUALS doing really well on Twitter. I mentioned Dorothy Bishop earlier. ››› With over 15K followers, she demonstrates that individuals—including academics—can leverage twitter & other social media to broadcast high-level content. *********************************************
207. SIX ››› Here are some other INDIVIDUALS who are active on Twitter. You probably know some of them: ››› Ryan Masa—K-8 principal at Assets School in Honolulu & president of Hawaii branch of IDA ››› Cinthia Coletti—CEO of Literate Nation ››› Posie Boggs—founding President of the AK IDA branch *********************************************
208. SIX Cont. ››› Vicki Myers—w/ the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education in the US Dept. of Education in DC. ››› Lyn Pollard—(whom you just met) a writer, mom, and parent advocate w/NCLD Understood.org & active w/ DD ››› Elenn Steinberg—past president of Rocky Mt. Branch of IDA and a LN Board Member & VP. *********************************************
209. ››› SIX COLLEAGUES—representing some of the many perspectives & efforts that converge around the goal of bringing great reading instruction to every child, in every classroom, across the nation ……… ››› They shared their reasons for being on Twitter with me for my 2013 IDA conference presentation. *********************************************
210. ››› I don’t have time to review all these reasons today, but, for fun, I plotted them on the four strategic categories—the benefits—I discussed in the body of this talk. ››› Web Strategy, Monitoring & Messaging, Networking & Mobilizing, and Pedagogy …. *********************************************
211. ››› Here’s how it looks. ››› I think if I had more heads of organizations & nonprofits in my sample, there would be higher representation in the web strategy category. ››› I also think in coming years, we’ll see much more exploration of the pedagogy category. *********************************************
212. ››› HERE’S ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK at these 6 folks … who are tweeting from all across the country—Their combined total following is close to 16K. Wow. …. 16K ››› Just last year it was 5 & half K ››› I’m sure there’s overlap & much of this big jump comes from LN, but still … that’s pretty cool—the messaging & engagement of these 6 parties reaches a potential audience of almost 16 K. ››› And that’s not counting any other social media platforms they may use. >>> So, that’s just a taste … of the messaging potential & power of Twitter…. *********************************************
213. (TIME: 51 MIN) ››› NOW: …Imagine what we could do if we really tried … ››› Imagine what we might accomplish w/ everyone in this room ››› Imagine what we might accomplish if we launched a coordinated & comprehensive social-media campaign across ORGANIZATIONS and among INDIVIDUALS pursuing aligned missions. …….. ››› But … we are not quite there yet. ››› So, I’ll … leave you with that intriguing thought to ponder … *********************************************
214. To recap and wrap things up: >>> And, Jamie or Lou, you can bring the LIGHTS back up. WATER? *********************************************
215. >>> I opened this talk with a dedication to the memory of Dr. Sylvia Richardson. >>> Throughout a remarkable career that spanned nearly three quarters of a century, Sylvia fiercely championed this objective (gesture to slide) on behalf of kids w/ language-based learning differences. >>> Actually, she’d want to amend this slide—saying for every child, in every classroom, STARTING AT PRE-K. …… >>> OK Sylvia …. Will do LOOK AT SLIDE *********************************************
216. LOOK AT SLIDE >>> Pause … Better? >>> My point is this, I’m entering the fourth decade of a career dedicated to this same objective. If my career spans three quarters of a century—like Sylvia’s—and we have not achieved this objective, how many lives will be diminished … or worse? >>> We’ve made gains here & there. But our task is far from accomplished. >>> Social media is just a tool, nothing more, but I say, … we need to leverage every tool we can to get the job done. *********************************************
217. My goal for this presentation was ››› To inspire & empower you to leverage social media to advance your cause & enhance your work … which I believe will help us get the job done ››› If I was successful and you do become versed in Twitter, I hope you, in turn, will inspire & empower your colleagues >>> And, then, maybe I can retire this talk, which I would soo love to do! *********************************************
218. >>> I focused mostly on social media’s WHY—that YOU can leverage its power to advance your message and your mission. *********************************************
219. I also focused mainly on Twitter …. But the broad concepts apply to other social Media. *********************************************
220. Now it’s your turn to act ….. *********************************************
221. If you haven’t already done so, I hope you will start a Twitter account. … we have people on hand to help you during the small-group session. *********************************************
222. If you already are on Twitter but not very active ››› Try following 5-15 new people a day. Who to follow? Find someone you like/respect, see who they follow ››› Try a tweet a day. Not sure what to tweet? Go to some hashtags/ or people in the field and start by RT-ing them. ››› Also see my Scoop.it pages for lots of support & tons of information and ideas. *********************************************
223. Also >>> Don’t forget to visit the flipchart on your way out. >>> And remember our conference hashtag is #DyslexiaCon. >>> I hope I see you there *********************************************
224. Finally, come find me on Twitter—@cdcowen. I’d love to tweet with you!
225. (TIME: 54 MIN) SO.. Thank you for your kind attention today …. ››› As you become more versed in social media …. I hope you will share your knowledge with colleagues …and pay it forward! ››› Thank you. Pause ……. ››› And now …… *********************************************
226. ››› And now it’s time for small-group Q&A and support. >>> Let’s break into small groups to hear from some of your colleagues—experts in the field who are leveraging social media in all kinds of ways to advance the cause. >>> Let me tell you the general themes of each group and where to go. *********************************************
227. >>> But first, I had to sneak in one last picture of Sylvia—this one is with Louie. Look how happy they both are.
228. (SMALL GROUP 1.) >>> OK. Here are the general themes of each group and where they will meet. >>> If you are interested in Twitter chats or how nonprofits and academics use social media, join SHELDON HOROWITZ’S group—which will meet in the front of the room on the left side >>> If you are interested in how parent advocates use social media, join LYN POLLARD’S group—which will meet in the front of the room on the right side. >>> If you are interested in how an Assistive Tech. expert uses social media, join JAMIE MARTIN’S group, which will meet in the back of the room on the left side. *********************************************
229. (SMALL GROUP CONT) >>> If you are interested in how a school uses social media, join Lou Salza’s group in the back on the right side. >>> And if you have any questions for me or about this presentation, I’ll be up here. >>> So, let’s break into our groups now ….. >>> Meanwhile, I’ll bring back those slides I promised. >>> And, for you die-hards who stick around, don’t forget, we have chocolate *********************************************
230. (EXAMPLES MORE CONT.). ››› That doesn’t mean everyone actually saw it in their Twitter feeds or clicked on the link, … but it does mean far more people probably read this content than in its initial press run of about 2,000 ››› See the potential messaging power of Twitter? ››› In the second tweet, I returned the favor and RT-ed one of Miguel’s tweets. The rest is a little Twitter etiquette. *********************************************
231. (KITTY CHASE CONT.) >>> It’s a hot mess …. and a race to see if the humans can catch and release the bird …. before Kitty catches and murders it. *********************************************