Reflection of Twitter

      My experience with using twitter has been challenging, but beneficial for several reasons. First of all, I am technology challenged. I am use to using email only. I learned how to text (minimally) when my daughter left for college; it became our means of communicating with her. So, it was very intimidating because I was thinking that if I made a mistake that I would not be able to correct it, which everyone would see. Next, it was quite time consuming for me, at first. However, I have gotten better at tweeting and each day becomes easier, which increases my chances of continually using twitter. Also, I am able to stay up-to-date on educational information. Additionally, it allows me to collaborate with other educators about specific issues and concerns which can improve my abilities to assist my students in becoming life-long learners.

       Next, I could use twitter for my professional development and/or for my classroom in many ways. For example, I can use twitter as a form of communication.  In the classroom, I can keep parents updated on what is happening in class, as we engage inquiry based lessons by providing pictures of students in action and tweeting reminders about their children’s assignments. Also, I can send those reminders to the students. Additionally, I will be able receive responses and any other type of feedback from my parents and students to resolve any issues or possible issues or concerns. Moreover, twitter has provided me some valuable information for professional development. For instance, I was able to learn more information about “common core,” which I am using to develop my lesson plans for school year 2013-2014. In fact, I have learned more about “No Child Left Behind,” to make sure my fellow teachers and I are in compliance. Therefore, I know I will continue to use twitter because I will receive valuable information to help me become a better teacher.
       Furthermore, there were several tweeters and hashtag searches that were quite beneficial for me for several reasons. First, Education week is one of my tweeters that I love following because I can get the latest educational information, such as the Education Bill. For instance, I learned more information about the Education Bill and effective ways to improve my classroom management skills; just to name a few things.  My second tweeter is Arne Duncan. I like following him because I was able to find out how other issues affect education and how different districts are working with less but still able to provide a quality education for their students. Also, it allows me to see him as being virtually approachable and not just the United State Secretary of Education; he is actively involved in making our education system better. My second tweeter is Bill Nye, “The Science Guy.” I have learned more science information and some I will be using this school year regarding Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).  Moreover, the tweeter, Nancy Blair, an education consultant, was very helpful. I received information from her tweeting about the best or favorite communication tools to use in the classroom; such as Google Doc, Edmondo, and our very own “twitter.”   In addition, I found the “Edudemic” which is a great way to get information about integrating technology that educators can use to enhance learning for students.  To add to this, the hashtag search of “#teachers,” increased my opportunity to obtain more strategies, techniques, and technology tools to use in the classroom. Finally for these reasons, twitter has been challenging but the benefits are continuing to outweigh the challenges. So I will continue to use twitter; no doubt my students and I will benefit from it and continue our learning process throughout life.