This document discusses the use of social media for educators. It provides examples of popular social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Delicious. It describes how educators can use these tools to connect with other teachers, share resources, and collaborate. The document outlines both the successes and challenges of using social media. It encourages educators to build personal learning networks and engage in interactive dialogues using these new technologies.

1. Social Media for EducatorsSocial Media for Educators
By Dianne RossBy Dianne Ross
kiddross@comcast.netkiddross@comcast.net

2. What is Social Media?What is Social Media?
• TwitterTwitter
• WikispacesWikispaces
• DeliciousDelicious
• FacebookFacebook
• Classroom 2.0Classroom 2.0
• FlickrFlickr
• SkypeSkype
• NingNing
• YouTubeYouTube
• EviteEvite
• TripadvisorTripadvisor
• LinkedInLinkedIn
• BeboBebo
• AnimotoAnimoto
• iGoogleiGoogle
• GooglebuzzGooglebuzz
““Social mediaSocial media are media for social interaction, using highly accessible andare media for social interaction, using highly accessible and
scalable publishing techniques. Social media uses web-based technologiesscalable publishing techniques. Social media uses web-based technologies
to turn communication into interactive dialogues.”to turn communication into interactive dialogues.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_mediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media
Examples:Examples:

3. MicrobloggingMicroblogging
 Personal favorites are Facebook and TwitterPersonal favorites are Facebook and Twitter
 Contains brief updatesContains brief updates
 Start a group or fan page on FB page related to your area of teachingStart a group or fan page on FB page related to your area of teaching
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_179491645401600http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=group_179491645401600
 Follow me on TwitterFollow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/DRossPAhttp://twitter.com/#!/DRossPA
 FB allows you to stay connected with friends and familyFB allows you to stay connected with friends and family
 Twitter allows you to link to people with similar interests and share ideasTwitter allows you to link to people with similar interests and share ideas
 Twitter – only have 140 characters; UseTwitter – only have 140 characters; Use http://tinyurl.comhttp://tinyurl.com to shrink your linksto shrink your links

4. Social BookmarkingSocial Bookmarking
 Delicious is truly yummy!Delicious is truly yummy! http://www.delicious.com/dianneross14http://www.delicious.com/dianneross14
 A website to post all your bookmarks – easy accessA website to post all your bookmarks – easy access
 Can check out what other people bookmark – see hotlistCan check out what other people bookmark – see hotlist
 Share your websites with othersShare your websites with others
 Tagging allows you to organize your bookmarksTagging allows you to organize your bookmarks

5. Build Your Personal Learning NetworkBuild Your Personal Learning Network
 Using web tools allows for opportunities for growthUsing web tools allows for opportunities for growth
 Able to connect to other teachers who also teach low incidence populationsAble to connect to other teachers who also teach low incidence populations
of studentsof students
 Okay, I’ve connected to various social media websites…now I need toOkay, I’ve connected to various social media websites…now I need to
collaborate and createcollaborate and create
 Would love to Skype using sign language with other teachers of the deaf…Would love to Skype using sign language with other teachers of the deaf…
anyone game?anyone game?
 Learner driven – yes, it’s all about meLearner driven – yes, it’s all about me
 My goal is to create a Wikipage this summer with various links toMy goal is to create a Wikipage this summer with various links to
educational resources for parents of my studentseducational resources for parents of my students

6. SuccessesSuccesses 
 Feeling more confident in understanding and using various microbloggingFeeling more confident in understanding and using various microblogging
websiteswebsites
 Really enjoy Twitter for educational info and newsReally enjoy Twitter for educational info and news
 Excited to share del.icio.us with colleagues…let’s share our resourcesExcited to share del.icio.us with colleagues…let’s share our resources
 Successful Skype session with a former student – great way to visuallySuccessful Skype session with a former student – great way to visually
communicatecommunicate
 Excited to connect with Classroom 2.0 group “Educational Technology in theExcited to connect with Classroom 2.0 group “Educational Technology in the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing ClassroomDeaf and Hard of Hearing Classroom
http://www.classroom20.com/group/DeafEducators4Technologyhttp://www.classroom20.com/group/DeafEducators4Technology

7. ChallengesChallenges
 Finding blogs that pertain to teaching the deaf and hard of hearingFinding blogs that pertain to teaching the deaf and hard of hearing
 Vast number of online resources for social media – a bit overwhelmingVast number of online resources for social media – a bit overwhelming
 Having enough time to try all the new forms of social media, in depthHaving enough time to try all the new forms of social media, in depth
 I do not think of myself as a good writer – creating blogs for me isI do not think of myself as a good writer – creating blogs for me is
intimidatingintimidating

8. Benefits of Moodle and Online LearningBenefits of Moodle and Online Learning
 Online modules using collaborative learningOnline modules using collaborative learning
 Do the coursework from the convenience ofDo the coursework from the convenience of
your own homeyour own home 
 Complete work at your own paceComplete work at your own pace
 Online work can take various forms – weblinks,Online work can take various forms – weblinks,
videos, quizzes, surveysvideos, quizzes, surveys
 Found the video links explaining Twitter andFound the video links explaining Twitter and
Delicious helpfulDelicious helpful
 Continual feedback from instructorContinual feedback from instructor

9.  "Twitter makes me like people I never met; Facebook makes me hate"Twitter makes me like people I never met; Facebook makes me hate
people I know in real life." cartoon caption via @conradliscopeople I know in real life." cartoon caption via @conradlisco
 ““Social media is like a snowball rolling down the hill. It’s picking up speed.Social media is like a snowball rolling down the hill. It’s picking up speed.
Five years from now, it’s going to be the standard.”Five years from now, it’s going to be the standard.” – Jeff Antaya, chief– Jeff Antaya, chief
marketing officer of Plante Moranmarketing officer of Plante Moran
 ““Whether something brings them joy or pain, when people share andWhether something brings them joy or pain, when people share and
engage in communities, they form bonds and relationships with others whoengage in communities, they form bonds and relationships with others who
acknowledge their situation.”acknowledge their situation.” – Liana Evans, from post on Search Engine– Liana Evans, from post on Search Engine
WatchWatch
Quotes on Social MediaQuotes on Social Media

10.  "Twitter makes me like people I never met; Facebook makes me hate"Twitter makes me like people I never met; Facebook makes me hate
people I know in real life." cartoon caption via @conradliscopeople I know in real life." cartoon caption via @conradlisco
 ““Social media is like a snowball rolling down the hill. It’s picking up speed.Social media is like a snowball rolling down the hill. It’s picking up speed.
Five years from now, it’s going to be the standard.”Five years from now, it’s going to be the standard.” – Jeff Antaya, chief– Jeff Antaya, chief
marketing officer of Plante Moranmarketing officer of Plante Moran
 ““Whether something brings them joy or pain, when people share andWhether something brings them joy or pain, when people share and
engage in communities, they form bonds and relationships with others whoengage in communities, they form bonds and relationships with others who
acknowledge their situation.”acknowledge their situation.” – Liana Evans, from post on Search Engine– Liana Evans, from post on Search Engine
WatchWatch
Quotes on Social MediaQuotes on Social Media