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Peoria Palooza

Expanding Your PLN with Twitter chats

Amber Heffner @amber_heffner

@ice_execdir

#iceilchat

Traci Johnson tjohnson@rowva.k12.il.us@tsuejohnson

@mrsjohnsonrowva

#rowvastrong

Link to presentation: goo.gl/Lg3DoR

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Because of Twitter...

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Goals of Twitter in the Educational World

  1. Build a “brand”
    1. Class hash tag : #johnsonwow #thatsavitamin #rhshappydays
    2. School hash tag: #rowvastrong
  2. Develop your PLN (Personal Learning Network)
    • Follow other educators
    • Follow leaders in your field
    • Participate in educational Twitter chats

*Remember your purpose and audience. I suggest having two accounts if you want to engage students as well, and a 3rd if you want one for “funsies,” as my seniors call it.

*We are going to focus on Goal 2

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Twitter Vocabulary

  • Tweet: 140 character message that is shared with all of your followers
  • @ (mention): a way to “tag” or directly speak to another Twitter user
  • RT: Retweet (basically like a share on Facebook)
  • DM: Direct Message: a way to speak privately to one user
  • Follower: Users that you follow on Twitter. On Twitter, following is not necessarily a two-way street. You can follow users and they may or may not choose to follow you
  • # Hashtag: a way to link to a specific idea or keyword. Using the # turns the word into a link, and any other user who has tweeted the same word will link to the same place

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Hashtag Uses

  1. Branding: a school can use a specific hashtag to let everyone help tell the story. #rowvastrong
  2. Organize Tweets on the same topic. My new favorite is #teachmacbeth
  3. Hold a real-time Twitter chat. #ROE33chat #kidsdeserveit #iceilchat
    1. Link to a calendar of educational chats
    2. Link to a hashtag database

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Tips

  1. Use Tweetdeck.twitter.com any time you are going to participate in a chat.
  2. Retweet good ideas to save them for later.
  3. Use hashtags to get more people to see your Tweet.
  4. Do more than just answer Qs during a chat. Respond to others and share resources!
  5. Follow at least 5 new people during each chat you participate in.

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Let’s Get Started

  1. Log in or sign up
  2. Don’t be faceless! Add a picture as soon as you can.
  3. Write a bio. Remember your audience. If you are trying to build a PLN, think of reasons why someone may want to follow you.
  4. Go to https://tweetdeck.twitter.com/

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#ICEILCHAT

  • Format:
    • Moderator will ask a question using Q1: and #iceilchat
    • You will respond by beginning with A1: and end with #iceilchat
  • Example:
    • Q1: What is your favorite color? #iceilchat
    • A1: I love all things teal. #iceilchat
  • Tips
    • Keep your chat hashtag next to your notifications
    • When you respond to others, make sure you include the chat hashtag every time
      • Ex. @tsuejohnson I love teal! Have you seen the teal office chair at Staples? #iceilchat
      • Don’t be afraid to speak up! Your ideas matter!
    • Remember to try to follow someone!

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Follow us at:

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  • Membership - FREE
  • Join now @ bit.ly/joinICE
  • Annual Conference Feb. 26-28 at Renaissance Conference Center in Schaumburg

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Local Chapter: ICE-HOI

Twitter: @ice_hoi

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ICE

TECH 2018

May 10

Springfield

State Capitol

www.iceberg.org/tech/

  • speak with legislators
  • to raise awareness & support for increased funding for classroom technology