Social Media Tools for Teachers Presentation developed by Kelli Nowinsky, Shaun Holloway, Chris Hurtubise, Kevin Pfefferle, Doug Buchanan, Kevin McChesney

Science Education Council of Ohio (SECO)Thursday, February 25, 2010

Goal of this presentation: To define social media and look at some cool tools you can use to connect with colleagues, parents and stakeholders.

What is Social Media?Social media are electronic technologies and practices that people use to create, collaborate and share content - opinions, insights, experiences, and perspectives - with each other.*

What do you think?*Source: Wikipedia

Examples of Social Media ToolsWikis: Wikipedia Social networking: LinkedIn, NingPresence applications: TwitterVideo sharing: TeacherTubePhoto sharing: Flickr and WebshotsSocial bookmarking: del.icio.usBlogging: WordPress and TeacherLingoWhat others are you using?

“Twitter in the classroom?”Source: University of Minnesota / YouTube

Eight cool tools – and how to use them.

 

Webshots and flickr are photo-sharing sites that provide you and your students with ways to share photos of your school, special events, and memorable programs. You can also post photos to TeacherTube.

At COSI, guests can view COSI's Photo Albums or upload their own COSI photos to share them with friends and family.

Photos taken by COSI Team, then uploaded to webshots.

Your students & families will generate their own content about your school. This photo was taken by COSI Guest Tim Purdue, then uploaded to flickr.

Twitter is a service for friends, family, and co–workers to stay connected by exchanging frequent answers to the question: "What are you doing?"

It’s a great way to share information, websites, and videos fast. You can also send out almost any question and receive advice quickly.

Kevin’s Twitter Homepage: Info for students

Doug’s Twitter Homepage: Info for teachers

 

TeacherTube is a student-friendly site to watch and share original videos, photos, and audio files with the whole world.

You can also follow TeacherTube on Twitter.

Flip videocamera. About $150.

YouTube Example: What do frogs eat?

YouTube has a new “Safe Mode” that removes objectionable content.COSI uses YouTube to get our Guests behind-the-scenes.

 

Ning gives everyone the opportunity to create their own social networks for anything. Ning powers the largest number of social networks on the internet. COSI's Nings include a Camp-In Memory Station for former and current overnight campers and a social network for members of our Education Advisory Board.

Ning helps keep our EAB teachers connected.

Classroom 2.0 is also a Ning site. It’s free to use.

WordpressWordPress is the world’s largest blogging tool, seen by tens of millions every day. COSI's blogs include thoughts from COSI CEO David Chesebrough and road stories from COSI On Wheels.

COSI WordPress Blogs

You can create your own free blog at TeacherLingo. You can also search for lesson plans by subject and grade level.

Use Google to keep tabs on yourself: Set up a Google Alert with your school’s name. You’ll receive a regular email of news, blog posts, and videos that mention YOU.

Keeping tabs on yourself: Google Alert for “COSI”

Some of the content isn’t relevant, but when it is, you’re bound to learn something new.

Podcasting: A podcast is a free video or audio series that you download from the web or iTunes and play on your computer, iPod, or other digital audio device.

Audio Podcasting Tools

iTunes lets listeners find your podcast and download new editions easily.

Desktop audio editing software is easy to use. About

$30.

A digital recorder plugs right into your computer with a built-in USB port. About $100.

Royalty-free music tracks are available online. About $30.

So, we’ve:Defined social media and looked at some cool tools.

What sites and tools do you use? What challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them?

Contact us!

Doug Buchanandbuchanan@mail.cosi.org

Kevin McChesneyphsc.physics@gmail.com