for September's "Tech Thursdays"

1. Twitter as a Professional Learning NetworkNETS*T 5-a Jim Daly, CHS ITRT Charlottesville City Schools September 2011 “Tech Thursdays”

2. Today’s session Quick overview of Twitter Create Twitter accounts through twitter.com (and adding the Twitter app to your iPad if you like). Tweets, lists, and Hashtags that can help you find resources on Twitter. How using Twitter connects to NETS*T standards and helps you use “local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.”

3. So, what is

4. What is Twitter? A social networking and micro blogging site. 140 characters or less. Widely used for marketing: most major businesses, news organizations colleges even some school districts use twitter. Messages= “tweets” Friends= “followers” Tweet and read tweets via computer, iPador cell phone!

5. Ok, let’s see it in action Here’s a video (from 2008) to learn what Twitter is, how it works, and why it’s important (in just over 2 minutes!)

6. Basic Twitter Terms RT - retweet #topic - hashtag used for threads @username - reply to another user TinyURL.com, bit.ly, etc- websites that shortens the URL so you can fit it in your tweet

7. Why Teachers should use Twitter--video

8. So, who should I follow on Twitter? Start with other CCS teachers. Twitter.com/chsitrt/ccs for a list of CCS teachers and administrators on Twitter. See who they follow Sometimes people suggest others to follow on Fridays with the #ff hashtag. Search for hashtags or subjects that relate to your classroom and see who’s tweeting about it. If you like what someone is sharing, give them a follow. If you change your mind, you can always “unfollow”.

9. So, let’s look at how this connects to NETS*T NETS*T 5-a 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. Teachers: a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning.

10. How do I show evidence of “local and global communities” for this NETS*T standard NETS*T Evaluator’s checklist for Standard 5a http://coe.jmu.edu/netst/rubrics2008/5a_elab.htm You’ll turn in evidence and a reflection that demonstrates that: Teachers participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. (Rubric 5a)

11. Showing proficiency, Step 1: Evidence that the teacher is aware of relevant local and global communities of practice Evidence includes: -A list and description of at least three relevant learning communities, at least two of which are virtual, and at least one of which is global -A list and description of at least three sources of information regarding innovative use of technology to enhance student learning (e.g., Edutopia, MacArthur Foundation). These sources may or may not be associated with specific learning communities.

12. Evidence that the teacher actively participates in one or more relevant learning communities ▪Evidence includes: -Artifacts documenting regular participation (at least once a week) in at least one active learning community for a period of at least six months. -A description of the manner in which participation in each community impacts student learning -A description of examples of innovative uses of technology addressed by the communities ▪Evidence may include: emails, group agendas, wiki participation, research findings/reports to the group, projects, screenshots depicting involvement, among others. ▪Teachers are strongly encouraged to participate in the JMPE NETS-T Exchange as one of their learning communities. It is possible for the artifacts for one rubric to satisfy the requirements for other related rubrics if they are properly constructed. However, the reflections for the respective rubrics must be unique to the rubric. Showing proficiency, Step 2:

13. Reflection describes the long-term value of learning community participation and its potential impact on student learning Has the separate reflection document (using the reflection template for this rubric) been uploaded? Does the reflection on the awareness of communities of practice include discussion of the role of technologies, particularly emerging technologies, in supporting learning communities? Does the reflection on the participation in communities of practice includes discussion of the resources acquired from the learning communities, and how they could impact student learning, including Potential uses, Students that would most benefit and least benefit, and Differentiation possibilities? Does the global reflection address the value of participation in local learning communities vs global learning communities and potential long term effects on improving student learning? Showing proficiency, Step 3:

14. More NETS*T training at the October 10th PD Session. Each “Tech Thursday” session this year will be tied to at least one NETS*T standard. Talk to your ITRT for additional support. My role is to help you use the tools in your classroom. Consider working on this process as an Action Team. If you picked 2-3 NETS*T standards each month, you’ll be well on your way to certification over the next year. What are the next steps?