SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EDUCATORS

By Christine Adamo-Newellcadamo@dciu.org

DCIU COURSE by Rich Kiker

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT???

This course allowed educators to CONNECT, to COLLABORATE, and to CREATE a personal learning network. We used the power of social media to build communities with other professionals to enhance our LEARNING environment.

Hashtag, Tweets, Following, Followers…Oy! This was a confusing world at first!!! A lot going on all at once

PLUS I was uncomfortable with strangers “following” me. BUT once I learned to maneuver the phenomenon that took

over social media I found it intriguing. “Twitter is an online social networking service that enables users

to send and read short 140-character messages called "tweets".” (Wikipedia)

I didn’t learn as much as I’d hope from my followers; there is way to much information scrolling on the home page. It’s overwhelming.

HOWEVER, it’s a fun way to connect with like minded individuals -and tweet your thoughts with the Twitter world!

Christine@CalmCounselor

Social Bookmarks Diigo is just one social bookmark that helps educators stay connected and organized.

It is quick, easy, and a great resource. SHARE, COLLABORATE, RESEARCH…. “Diigo is a social bookmarking website which allows signed-up users to bookmark and

tag web-pages. Additionally, it allows users to highlight any part of a webpage and attach sticky notes to specific highlights or to a whole page.” (Wikipedia)

YOU CAN: -Create Outliners -Tag -Notes -Groups

This is a great way to bookmark favorites! It’s so easy! However, I did not like that I had to pay if I wanted more outliners. SO many people use this tool, it’s an awesome way to connect! Connect with me and we can share resources

https://www.diigo.com/user/counselorchris

PINTEREST Pinterest is an addicting site that you can spend HOURS on!!!!

“A web and mobile application company, which operates a eponymous photo sharing website.” (Wikipedia)

Everything from behavior contracts, to lessons, and with endless amounts of classroom activities. It’s an educators dream IF you have hours to spend on the computer.

I found PINTEREST to be the most useful, most enjoyable, and user friendly. However, it is something I could be on for hours!!!

A lot of fun and AMAZING way to CONNECT with OTHERS!

Check out my Pinboards on Guidance Lessons and Breathing Techniques

https://www.pinterest.com/christine72981 PIN IT!!!!

Should I link in? ABSOLUTELY!!!

HERE’S WHY: It is the world’s largest PROFESSIONAL network with millions of members! “LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking service.” (Wikipedia) What LinkedIn has that other social media sites do not, is that it’s solely used for Professional connections. You can share awards, your resume, anything you need to advance your career! Whether you are looking for a job, want to move up in your career, or just network with colleagues this is a wonderful tool! I like everything about it!!!LET’S CONNECT!https://www.linkedin.com/pub/christine-adamo-newell/8/a79/540

For my additional tool I used the fun site WORDPRESS. “WordPress is a free and open-source blogging tool…and is the most popular

blogging system in use on the Web,[ at more than 60 million websites.” (Wikipedia)

As a counselor, I love communicating with parents and sharing wonderful tips and strategies to help their children. This site allows me to blog and share as often as I like! And it’s free!!!

WordPress was confusing at first, but once I figured out the basics, it’s easy to use! It’s a great tool with many possibilities, and I am looking forward to blogging! Check it out at-https://counselorchristinescalmcorner.wordpress.com/

FINAL THOUGHTSMoodle was confusing at first, but once I figured it out, I think it is a simple and user friendly learning tool. I really enjoy all it offers and how it is an efficient way to connect, learn, and collaborate with individuals all over the country. This is my 4th online class, 2nd using Moodle. I find that each one has had highlights and a few challenges. I was reluctant to take an online course because I really enjoy the classroom experience, connecting with people face-to-face. However, once I started to take classes in the comfort of my own home, I found it enjoyable. I still miss meeting people and connecting in person, but I find I am still able to make connections online which is great.Thank you for this class! It has been very educational! I knew this would be a beneficial class because it is our world now. I had limited knowledge, and interest, in social networking sites, so this was a challenge. Yet, once I learned each site, and explored all it had to offer, I started to enjoy each project. This is a worthwhile class and I will definitely be recommending it to my colleagues! Social media is now my friend! Much Kindness & Gratitude-Christine