Conversation topics for educators in the age of social media

Used effectively, social media can provide one of the most meaningful and powerful learning platforms available. Yet, in many cases, we don't have conversations about recommended practices and practices that teachers may want to reconsider. These conversations are important if we want to support others in dipping their toes (or diving) into these waters.   Below are some conversation starters about social media use. These may be helpful for educators to discuss and consider how teachers are engaging where you work. As you review this list, know that this is not the same old do's and don'ts list. Times are changing. Out with "don't talk to strangers" and in with "considering ways to help students in engage responsibly with strangers online to build their learning network." Take a look at the advice below. Do you agree? Disagree? Why? What's missing?

My take. The end of the #BammyAwards as we know it.

A little history...

When I first learned of the Bammy Awards I was thrilled to discover there was a formal way to share with the world the work of some seriously amazing educators. Personally, I was thrilled educators had the opportunity to let their peers know what an inspiration their work had been and how it touched the lives of so many. How wonderful to be able to introduce our country to those whose work and ideas were generally only celebrated in the small circle of educators.

I was equally excited to learn the Bammys were planning to recognize connected educators who had worked so hard, often putting their own livelihood on the line, to speak up and share ideas that matter. While many may stand out locally, often in uncomfortable ways as disrupters, and even outcasts, the Bammys provided validation to educator voice not just via the awards, but also by providing opportunities for educators to host and be guests on BAM Radio’s professionally-produced shows which help shine a spotlight on and share this work to a wider audience.

After the Bammys first year there was room for improvement. Two biggies were 

1) student recognition and 

2) the addition of a few categories, like librarian.

The present...

In their second year they heard this feedback and adjusted adding new categories (including librarians) and concluding with the recognition of a student named Mallory Fundora who was doing work to make our world a better place. There were also some wonderful surprises such as their decision to honor Ed Camp, EdChat, and a Jesse Hagopian, a teacher who had the courage to speak out and help his school take action to ensure students were not unfairly accessed.

Not surprisingly for a fledgling endeavor, in addition to all the wonderful experiences the Bammys provide,  there was also room for improvement. Some were disappointed and even angry about parts of the event. I understand it. Educators have been under attack in this country and we have HIGH sensitivities, but we also need to recognize when organizations are not the enemy and could potentially partner with us to bring much needed attention to educator and student voice in this country. In those cases, it is our job to take note and advise by working to do our best to inform, rather than attack, a group that is trying to recognize, bring attention to, and help amplify the voice and ideas of educators.  

Too often, when a new endeavor is getting off the ground, should they make a misstep, we write them off before they’ve really had a chance to get their legs. We are teachers though. If we reconnect which our chosen profession, it can serve us well to help lift up, rather than tear down, the efforts which might benefit our profession.

I am pleased to share that this was the case with the Bammy Awards who heard the feedback from educators like Pernille Ripp, Chris Casal, me, and others, and as recently announced they are adjusting. In fact, they are discontinuing the Bammy Awards as we know it.

Many knew the Bammys to be about winners, but as the organizers pointed out before the most recent awards: There Will Be No Winners at the Bammy Awards. Unfortunately, though, this message had not spread widely enough. Many still many knew the awards as just that – a celebration of winners.

The future and end of the Bammy Awards as we know it...

The Bammys are putting a deliberate discontinuation to what many knew these awards to be.

Going forward, the Bammys intentionally will not be about winners, but rather they will explicitly focus on selecting one of the many extraordinary educators in each sector of the education community to "represent" his or her part of the education village in a collective, national celebration of all the good being done in American education.

They will serve as a chance to come together to collectively appreciate and acknowledge the contributions of the various members of the school community celebrating teachers, administrators, students, librarians, school board members, parent leaders, students and all who are vital to the process of helping to ensure young people are ready to pursue happy and successful lives.

Perhaps what is most exciting is that Bammy honorees represent the recognition of the contributions of their peers to the grand collaboration. Letting those who make the short list, or ultimately receive a Bammy Award recognition, know that they are an important part of a community-wide honor for being a model contributor.

What's next?...

This blog, in part is about celebrating great ideas and the people behind them. I’m already thinking about who it is I’d like the world to recognize in a bigger way in 2014. What about you? Who are people doing work you’d like to see receive wider recognition?

Has Google replaced teaching?

Student to teachers at #tltf13 "You don't need to teach us. That is what Google is for." #StuVoice #edchat
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) October 18, 2013

This is what a passionate student told a room full of educators at the 2013 Tech Forum in New York in response to a question from social studies teacher Melissa Seideman. She was asking how Digital Native students prefer learning when it comes to technology use.

Other students chimed in telling teachers this:

If I can't figure something out I prefer to text or message a friend rather than ask a teacher. -Student at #tltf13 #StuVoice
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) October 18, 2013

They are doing what adults would call, "reaching out to their personal learning network."

The students had more advice for teachers:

"It is annoying when teachers try to teach us. We like to learn by trying it ourselves." -Student at #tltf13 #StuVoice
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) October 18, 2013

In conversation with a Tweep that inquired about my Tweet, I explained... 

@ChrisWejr Students were saying universally they prefer teachers step back & let them figure it out unless they asked for help @garystager
— Lisa Nielsen (@InnovativeEdu) October 18, 2013

These young people are not alone. Connected educators have been learning using the internet and their network for quite some time. We know learning is no longer something that is confined to a certain place, at a certain time, from a certain teacher.  

This may not be the way all, or even most, students like to learn, but it certainly is representative of quite a few. How does practice change if we are teaching students who want teachers to step aside so they can learn via their preferred method of Googling and messaging friends?

Junk isn't only for mail. 8 Types of posting #ConnectedEducators should avoid #CE13

Editor's note:  U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has named October as Connected Educator Month. The U.S. Department of Education’s Connected Educators initiative seeks to celebrate and encourage educators at all levels to collaborate and participate in online learning resources and communities. This piece was written to support this initiative.

If you're like most people, you're probably not a fan of junk mail. Whether it be digital or paper, getting something you didn't ask for can be an annoying waste of time cluttering physical and online mailboxes.
Today with the development of personal learning networks and professional learning communities junk doesn't only pertain to mail, it pertains to how we operate online.

Here are 8 types of posting to avoid to lead you on the path to becoming a quality poster.

1-Useless sharerAll us fogies who still rely on email as our primary communication know the useless sharer well.  It is that person who forwards a joke, photo, video, or story to their entire email list without giving any context or personalization around why these people may be interested in reading it. The useless sharer liked it and off it goes to everyone. God forbid someone "replies all" with a less than witty, "Nice one" and in no time your mailbox is cluttered with content you likely find neither compelling or relevant.

In social media, this person does the same thing, sharing the info with everyone willy nilly.  It’s that same thing that everyone has or is doing on their own pages or Timelines, etc.  By the end of the week you’re so sick of seeing the message, you want to scream!

-->When sharing online make it personal and be original.

2-Lackluster linker

This is the person that just shares "The Link" with no information about, or context around, why it is being sent. The Linker thought it was interesting and puts the onus on the reader to figure out why they posted it, if it is worth their time, or worse, if it is a virus.  

-->If you have a link you think others will find interesting, take the time to let them know why you were thinking this was the case.  

3- Frivolous fundraiser

These people don't typically contribute to a learning community to which they belong other than to ask for donations for you to support their cause. Granted, their cause may be a good one, but because they don’t add much value beyond asking you to care about their cause and aren’t really invested in the community, they are considered a frivolous fundraiser. 

-->Raising funds isn’t just asking for money in every place you can think of. It is rarely effective when there is not a personal connection, outreach and/or relationship between the fundraiser and the contributor. Make the personal contact and outreach. Build relationships. Reach out to only those you know are invested in your cause.

4-Annoying advertiser

This one is a no-brainer. They've snuck their way into your online space to advertise something. While it is certainly okay to mention something you have written, created, etc. in the context of a conversation, this is not that.  Rather it’s a post, comment, or Tweet telling  folks that their book, class, conference, product, etc. is available for sale. 

-->If you want to advertise, request permission of a group moderator first (most won’t want it) or be on the up and up and pay for the advertising..

5-False alarmist

This person shares the latest "sky is falling" info without fully vetting it. You know the one. It usually turns out that someone has dredged up some old virus alert, identity scam, or rape warning and is telling everyone to watch out. 

-->Do your research or get your information first-hand, from the source,

6-Self server

This is the person who is always posting about their cause, blog, pet project and asking you for support. They provide little to the community beyond telling you why you should support their great project, work, idea.

-->Sure, you have wonderful things you are doing, but share it in the context of group conversations at relevant times.

7-Mass poster

You know this person. You suddenly get 10 notifications that this person has posted the same thing in ten different groups or has sent the same Tweet to ten different people.  Mass-posting is everything social media shouldn't be. 

-->When you post in a group or page or tag someone, make your message personal, not one-size-fits all.

8-Sandra Dees (Remember her from Grease? No? Watch this.)

These are the ones who are always shouting, “look-at-me!” See what cool thing, event, activity I did. They crave attention and want you to know what they are doing, but there is little positive in it for anyone else.  

-->When you post think beyond what’s in it for you and toward, why would others find this interesting.

When it comes to being a connected educator, following the simple advice, that it is better to give than receive, goes a long way. If you start out by being helpful and sharing your advice, ideas, different ways of thinking, etc. you will be surprised by how willing others are to be there when you do reach out with that personal request for support.

So, which of these types of posters do you know?  

5 ideas for #ConnectedEducators to connect students #CE13

This piece was originally posted last year in SmartBlog on Education in Ideas that Work, Social Media in Education as part of Connected Educator Month. This takes place this year in October. The U.S. Department of Education’s Connected Educators initiative seeks to celebrate and encourage educators at all levels to collaborate and participate in online learning resources and communities. This piece  is just as relevant today, as it was last year when it was written to support this initiative.

 

Unlike their parents, today’s students can communicate, collaborate, cooperate, and connect with the world in meaningful ways that were never before possible. It is incumbent upon educators to support students in doing this effectively in order to empower them to do work that will not only lead them to personal success, but is also worthy of the world.

So, how can educators do this?

Here are five ways to help your students get connected:

Do you censor or ban? Here are 6 reasons not to.

Editor's note:  Today is the first day of what U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has named Connected Educator Month.  The U.S. Department of Education’s Connected Educators initiative seeks to celebrate and encourage educators at all levels to collaborate and participate in online learning resources and communities. This piece was written to support this initiative.

Social media sites such as Facebook, Google +, Twitter, and blogs are terrific venues for the exchange of ideas, opinions and viewpoints. I’m deeply invested in this means of group dialog myself;  I participate in online interaction daily on such platforms. I also moderate discussions in groups that number in the thousands. These platforms provide an invaluable tool to discover new ideas and share my own, give and get opinions and find different viewpoints.

A few of my favorite things about the #BammyAwards & a wish list too

The #BammyAwards brings folks together once a year to celebrate and recognize that which is good about education.  This awards show honors educators like celebrities honored on other shows, shedding a much-needed positive light on the profession.

There were some unexpected delights and even some disappointments (like those Pernille Ripp addresses here) at this year's fledgling celebration. That is no surprise as this program finds its legs, develops, and grows. Because the program is built on a foundation of great intentions, I have no doubt that it will continue to blossom into a beautiful celebration and recognition of all that is good about education. Those great intentions are to give educators both recognition and a voice in the conversations that matter around learning. Rae Pica and Errol St. Clair Smith have done a wonderful job of this with the BAM Radio Network which gives educators willing to share their ideas a platform to do so.

Being a connected educator has helped me grow my BaMMily tree

Tonight I will have the honor of being recognized as a Bammy award finalist for my work as an education commentator along with recognition for being a top 100 influential voice in education for my work as a connected educator.

The first thing you should know is that you can tune in live tonight! The event takes place Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:30pm EDT — Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:30pm EDT At that time, hop right over to http://www.bammyawards.com/index.php/bammy-awaards-live where you will have a chance to see educators being recognized for their ed celeb status ;)

As a Bammy Finalist I was asked to put together a short two-minute video outlining what being a connected educator has meant to me.  Below is the video.

 

After watching the video I'd love to hear in the comments who has become members of the network that you have grown. How have they positively contributed to your practice? How would you convince a not-yet-connected educator that it is important to become connected? How would you convince your supervisor?