This document discusses using social media for educational purposes. It outlines various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn that educators can use to strengthen their professional learning networks. It also discusses using Moodle for online learning and social bookmarking tools like Diigo for organizing and sharing web resources. The document reflects on successes using these tools, as well as ongoing challenges like managing multiple accounts and choosing the best platforms.

1. Social Media For Educators Final Project Teresa Penczak April 2011

2. What is Social Media For Educators? Easy and accessible techniques for social interaction all over the world. Personally Professionally

3. Social Media is- being heard without being seen! It is an opportunity for educators to strengthen their PLN’s using all aspects of social media. Facebook Twitter www.twitter.com/TPenczak You Tube LinkedIn Classroom 2.0 Wikispaces

4. Why Moodle? In school, at home, or on the go, I can Moodle with an entire community. I can work at my own pace and I can make my own mistakes and find ways of fixing them on my own. Viewing the video links for help with the different types of media was useful I have received feedback and ideas from others.

5. Social Bookmarking DYNAMITE DIIGO! A website to post your favorite bookmarks- so EASY to use. Saving pages is simple, the Diigo toolbar is the way to go. Easy to comment about a page. You can converse about a specific bookmark with someone. Sharing favorite bookmarks on Facebook and Twitter! www.Diigo.com/TPenczak

6. Personal Learning Networks I have used different web tools to become more confident with my technology skills. I connect with other educators I am building upon my Wikispace (SaintMarkFirstGrade.wikispace.com) for student interaction to “Grammar Junction”.

7. Successes I am much more confident with using the various forms of social media. Love my Facebook! Diigo has become one of my favorites. It is easy to use and keeps everything in order for easy finding and sharing. I feel proud that I was able to navigate a lot of information and not feel overwhelmed.

8. Challenges So many online resources for social media for teachers….which ones are the best to choose? Producing more tweets and gaining more followers is something I need to build upon. Keeping track of all my different accounts, usernames and passwords.

9. My re-cap of learning Microblogging- Twitter- short messages, instant feedback, 140 characters. #edchat and #edtech. PLN’s- connecting with educators all over the world. TeachHUB.com- be a follower! Share resources- Del.cio.us and Diigo. Students can be up to date with all the latest technology trends- for free!