The #Hashtag Phenom :: Education

There are two different definitions that are very similar to each other when it comes to defining what a hashtag really is.

For Wikipedia:

In online computer systems terminology, a tag is a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are chosen informally and personally by the item’s creator or by its viewer, depending on the system.

Tagging was popularized by websites associated with Web 2.0 and is an important feature of many Web 2.0 services. It is now also part of some desktop software.

Resource link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashtags#Hash_tags

According to the Twitter Fan Wiki:

Hashtags are a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets. They’re like tags on Flickr, only added inline to your post. You create a hashtag simply by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag.

Hashtags were developed as a means to create "groupings" on Twitter, without having to change the basic service. The hash symbol is a convention borrowed primarily from IRC channels, and later from Jaiku’s channels.

Resource link: http://twitter.pbworks.com/Hashtags

Okay, so what does this mean for the average person who is constantly using Twitter, and have not a clue what these weird words and phrases are that pop up with a pound sign attached to it?

That, my friends, is an excellent question that holds a plethora of information for educators globally!

These hashtags are designated to different subjects of information.  For educators, it can get pretty cumbersome if you have not a clue of even what to tag your own tweets, let alone where to start looking for information.  I have compiled a list of hashtags I have been following, or have seen great educators utilize to help spread information globally.

Hashtags for Education Resources:

#education	#educators	#teachers
#educational	#edublog	#lrnchat
#web20	#writechat	#classrooms
#teacher-librarian	#english-teacher	#teach-me
#great_teaching	#social-media	#multi-media
#learning	#learn	#elearning
#edtech	#liveclass20	#tech
#librarian	#edu	#teachertuesday
#mashable	#opened	#followfriday
#writegoal	#writers	#readers
#parenting	#moodle	#linkedin
#edchat	#classroom_rules	#i-teach
#new-media	#edreform	#slideshare
#classroom20	#OLTips	#pln
#educhat	#classroom_displays	#i_can_teach_you
#curriculum	#NCLB	#ning
#readwriteweb	#secondlife	#litchat
#books	#kindergarten	#higered
#biology	#health	#science
#pde	#math	#educause

 

Hashtags for Educational Conferences and Groups:

#catwest	#edweek09	#telaed09
#eatit09	#steconf	#opened09
#ncsl	#ccstech	#scbwi09
#tedtalks	#METC_CSD	#DEN
#edrnd	#ecs09	#LearnCentral

 

The next thing racing through your mind is probably the burning question of “What do these hashtags mean?”

Am I right?

Well, fortunately for you (and me!), there are sites dedicated to such services.  These sites offer definitions to the different hashtags I presented, as well as who is using them, and even how much of a trend the hashtag truly is.  Here are just a few sites I have come across to help understand those hashtags.

Hashtags.org	Hash Dictionary	Hashtags Wikia
Twemes	What the Trend?	Twubs
Twazzup	Tagal.us

Do you know of any hashtags that should be on this list for educators?  Please leave them in the comments area below!

 

 

 

 

Resources used are hashtags.org and Twubs.  Special thanks to the following tweeps: @kcaise, @Thespian70 for helping me compile the different hashtags we educators use daily!

 

 

Originated August 14, 2009
Revised

Building my PLN :: Webinars and Online PDE

Many often wonder if it is even useful to learn online.  Being a recent graduate from NSC, a local state college here in Nevada, I can safely say that you can learn a lot online.  Even if it isn’t from an accredited program or source, people can learn from each other from the knowledge they have gained through experience.

For me, being an awesome teacher can only be achieved through experience, trial and error.  There is not one simplistic, perfect method that every teacher can get away with using in successful means.  Every teacher has to develop their own styles, learn to adapt, become flexible and fluid among the students and their learning experiences.  Teachers have a very complex job of sometimes teaching in 30 different ways to 30 different students because not everyone learns in the same way.

Keeping the whole “not everyone learns in the same way” mentality, this can be said in the same accord to online learning.  I, myself, am pretty flexible when it comes to my learning process.  I can work alone, or I can work in small groups.  I love face to face workshops and courses, but I also love the convenience of learning online.  Learning online allows me to (1) learn at my own pace (pause buttons for video presentations and webinars are always handy!), (2) allows me to have access to a range of topics, and (3) allows me to collaborate, converse, and share ideas with other educators on a global level.

I have learned so much from different people online.  I watch different webinars, taking different professional development workshops online through wikis and online meet ups.  I have gained so many different resources by following hashtag conversations in Twitter.  To let one allow themselves to be only limited to what can be offered face to face after what I have gained over the last year alone is just so stifling to me!

So, let’s backtrack and go over the term “webinar.”  For some, reading that word could be a no-brainer, but in actuality it can come with a hefty meaning.  Obviously, it is web-based.  It is essentially a web-based seminar.  These can take form in wikis, streamed video and/or audio, online courses, collaborative sessions (using Google Docs, pbWorks, or other collaborative online tools) and even can start off as a local meet up that is streamed online for others on the global level to also partake in the event.  It is pretty unlimited in access and means!

What I have to offer in this particular post are the different places I have picked up to use for my online PLN.  This is a list of different webinars that I have either sat in on, or will be revisiting in the near future to use for my professional development.

1. 100 Awesome Classroom Videos to Learn New Teaching Techniques: I felt it was important to share this post ecause the author took a lot of time to track down these videos, and it is pretty extensive on what the list offers.  The videos are broken down in categories: The Basics, The Arts, Getting Physical, Education and Technology, Special Needs, Creative Techniques, Videos Made by Students, Teachers Say, Classroom on the News, and Just for Fun.  Even if you are an experienced teacher, this list has something for everyone.
2. AACE Global U – Social Media Seminar Series: There are two reasons why I have this saved in my bookmarks.  The first is that not only is it a seminar series, but they have archived the sessions in video online so you can catch up before attending the next one.  The second is that social media is becoming a must have hands-on experience for teachers to truly relate with their students.  The students need engagement through what they are used to having outside the classroom environment.  Why not incorporate and integrate those into the classroom?
3. Annenberg Media – Language Arts: I was hooked onto these videos when I first started attending courses at NSC.  While I only share the Language Arts section of their videos, they do offer videos in other subjects.
4. CSD Technology Services: Canyons School District had streamed their seminars with USTREAM.  While the channel is offline, you can watch the recorded sessions.  They had some great ideas flowing in that conference!
5. Wimba Distinguished Lecture Series: This site had a good mix of approaching technology in the classroom from different subject areas.  They also have a couple of videos on collaboration among colleagues, which is adaptable to students and their peers.
6. LearniT – TeachiT: This site offers lesson plans and resources, but also videos that cover different Web 2.0 tools that can be used in the classroom.  The videos helps one get started with the tools, shows examples on how the tools are used, and how to adapt them to the classroom setting.
7. Open Education Conference: Streamed and recorded through USTREAM, this particular series revolves around different sources that leads to an open education.  An interesting topic if you like seeing how Web 2.0 expands education and how it is accessed.
8. NECC 2009: A great conference about Web 2.0, technology, and education.  They had some awesome speakers and presentations! 
9. Google Certified Teachers Presentations @ NECC 2009: These videos are based on all the information and tools Google and their GCTs presented.  Great stuff if you are looking to adapt Google into the classroom!
10. NJEA Technology Institute: I sat in online through on of the presentations.  This is more of a starter pack, if you ask me.  But I think that is mainly because I have been using many tools already, for myself and in the classroom.  Lisa was awesome!  She definitely showed that while technology is awesome, there are always glitches.  We have to learn to adapt seamlessly!
11. PBS Teachers LIVE! Webinars: PBS has a great range of different webinars that present teachers information on media and technology to bring their classroom up to Classroom 2.0 standards.  They offer a calendar of events as well as archived videos to watch.
12. DEN National Institute 2009: Another great conference, and even more awesome network to be a part of!  Discovery Education Network prides themselves on engaging teachers through collaboration, brainstorming, and execution of ideas on how to incorporate cross-curricular, technology integrated ideas into lessons.  These videos are keynotes and presentations form the DEN 200 conference.
13. Teacher’s PET: PET stands for Professional Education for Teachers, and their video vault can definitely fit the bill to expand professional development.  They have videos that cover every subject area and other aspects of education.  It is a pretty informative vault of videos.
14. Teachers.tv: This site also houses many videos in different areas: subject areas, stages of schooling, roles in education, whole school issues, and things that deal with one’s personal life in the school.
15. Teacher Training Videos: If you are one of those people that need visuals when learning how to use a new program or tool, this site covers that.  You can find videos on different online tools and programs that many teachers are using to enhance the learning experience in the classrooms.

There are plenty more out there, I have just yet to stumble upon them and add them into my bookmarks. However, if you are curious as to what is really out there, it is pretty simple to find what you are looking for in webinars.

• Do a Google search for "teacher professional development videos”
• If you use Twitter, simply start your tweet with “EDUCATORS” or “TEACHERS” and make the simple request of what they have come across for webinars.

The resources are unlimited when it comes to the Internet.  One just has to know how to ask the question, manipulate the words in search engines, and know who to ask on different social networks.

If you have any other resources that you think should be added to this list, please feel free to leave the link in the comments area!

 

#edchat :: Digital footprints of teachers

Here are the last 100 tweets on this topic from today’s discussion in Twitter. Great points!  Great questions!  If you aren’t following this hashtag, you should be!

jwindsor: RT @zmanrdz: Digital Footprint. What do you want to be know for? @dancallahan http://bit.ly/5Yjss Nice thoughts! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:05:46 am

r_o_y_a_n: @msjweir Nice policy:-) #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:05:19 am

tamaslorincz: RT @ShellTerrell: #edchat at 7pm EST 12am GMT tonite: How do we do promote edtech when professional developmt is not working? – Exciting

Tue Aug 11 – 10:05:17 am

redfearn: #edchat – include a disclaimer on your personal site that your views do not necessarily reflect your employer’s views.

Tue Aug 11 – 10:04:59 am

tamaslorincz: RT @tearoof: the power we have thru networking is humbling, frightening, and exciting- use it well #edchat – Beautifully put. Thanks

Tue Aug 11 – 10:04:43 am

jwindsor: Welcome new followers. I look forward to the sharing & caring. Thanks #edchat for the discussion & new connections today.

Tue Aug 11 – 10:04:08 am

ShellTerrell: #edchat at 7pm EST 12am GMT tonite: How do we do promote edtech when professional developmt is not working?

Tue Aug 11 – 10:04:03 am

mrcedward: @smittytabb I like that … front page of the newspaper …until they ask what’s a newspaper #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:03:54 am

tkraz: Great discussion all. Thanks. Now it’s time to go and add some people to follow! See, everything is public! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:03:47 am

kjarrett: Gr8 #edchat! Have been pondering use of social media to establish positive digital footprints. If kids don’t learn via school, then where?

Tue Aug 11 – 10:03:13 am

aldtucker: #edchat teach, model, friend your mom!

Tue Aug 11 – 10:03:03 am

tearoof: the power we have thru networking is humbling, frightening, and exciting- use it well #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:02:21 am

ShellTerrell: Create positive dig footprint by creating online profile on prof site like Linkedin, share info, have ed products #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:02:21 am

web20classroom: Don’t forget that there is another #edchat this evening…What time was that at?

Tue Aug 11 – 10:02:15 am

r_o_y_a_n: #edchat There is so much ‘education’ available to students re: the demonic dangers of the Internet yet you must fight to teach positive use.

Tue Aug 11 – 10:01:43 am

tamaslorincz: Thanks I really enjoyed this. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:01:33 am

ShellTerrell: Everyone summarize ur answers to ? b4 we go: How do we create positive digital footprint? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:01:25 am

smittytabb: @msjweir Or on the front page of the newspaper! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:00:31 am

tkraz: @aldtucker You’re welcome and the discussion was great! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:00:26 am

mbteach: Thanks, PLN for a great discussion! Tweet ya later! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:00:15 am

tearoof: @web20classroom b4 putting anything out there, ask yourself "is there ANYONE who I would NOT want to see this?" #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 10:00:12 am

theokk: imagine digital identities of: Picasso, Gallileo, Robert Burns, not to mention Pre-Raphaelites, happy to be taught by any of them #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:59:39 am

mattguthrie: my #edchat summary common sense use for pos dig footprint (not everything should be public) & give students access so they can learn

Tue Aug 11 – 9:59:28 am

aldtucker: #teachertuesday tx to @tkraz @mrcedward @web20classroom @ShellTerrell and others for RT and asking or answering ?’s in great #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:59:14 am

psycho65: #edchat – A pos dig footprint – Embrace technology, Share freely, Justify your actions, set a positive example.

Tue Aug 11 – 9:59:03 am

woodpainter: Do admins regard #mashups to be stealing? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:59:02 am

mbteach: In summation-kids need 2 know that nothing online ever goes away & we need 2 model good cybercitizenship to our kids. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:52 am

tomwhitby: PLN If you want to view today’s Discussion anytime, do a search for #edchat Rmbr to scroll to the beginning and scroll up from the bottom.

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:46 am

msjweir: I remember that anyone has access to it and if it’s something I wouldn’t be proud to show my Grandma, it doesn’t go up. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:42 am

Marisa_C: RT@web20classroom So lets summarize…how do you have a pos. dig. footprint {…} students to have one? AGE GROUP PLS? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:20 am

redfearn: @web20classroom #edchat I totally agree – any examples come to mind or good sources for positive uses?

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:19 am

johnmclear: Thanks everyone for the great debate today in #edchat – Thanks for all the follows too – Must go fix friends grandma’s PC & eat curry – yumm

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:18 am

ShellTerrell: @mattguthrie Gr8 point! Is part of positive digital footprint include who you friend or follow? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:58:08 am

woodpainter: RT @psycho65 #edchat – … and we make them turn them off! How do they learn how to use it?

Tue Aug 11 – 9:57:43 am

mattguthrie: "control" of info flow is fine line but necessary, hence apps like Gaggle or ePals #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:52 am

ShellTerrell: @mrcedward I think art more accepted than writings. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:48 am

smittytabb: @redfearn One of my colleagues Nick Burbules has written a good bit about positive uses of technology and teaches a course #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:25 am

web20classroom: So lets summarize…how do you have a pos. dig. footprint and how would you teach your students to have one? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:20 am

aldtucker: @mrcedward Art tchr at my former school wasn’t allowed to MENTION own art on teacher website, no link, no examples, nothing. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:14 am

mattguthrie: Freedom of Speech become interesting topic in schools. I’ve heard it said it does not apply in schools – again overstating truth #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:56:07 am

Marisa_C: @ShellTerrell Yes Shelly – I have some watercolours too online – you should put up your poetry #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:55:26 am

mbteach: @mattguthrie or overstatement of the admin’s power?! #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:54:53 am

mrcedward: @ShellTerrell we have an art tchr who is a working artist & has his own work/gallery on line – actually adds cred to his instruction #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:54:10 am

smittytabb: @web20classroom Agree, we really need to focus on positive uses of tech. There are so many & schools are not capitalizing on this #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:54:02 am

Marisa_C: I was invited to Tagged by a translation trainee in the US but i soon realised a dating site – decided to leave. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:58 am

tearoof: sorry, PLN, my first #edchat … really messing up tweets!

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:45 am

ShellTerrell: @mrcedward I have realized that & sometimes it never gets erased. #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:44 am

redfearn: @mattguthrie – I totally agree – any examples come to mind or good sources for positive uses? #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:37 am

psycho65: #edchat – Most pupils have in their pockets this immensely powerful tool and we make them turn them off! How do they learn how to use it?

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:37 am

mattguthrie: @web20classroom a friend’s principal told them to not mention their school on FB which was a gross overstatement of supe’s msg #edchat

Tue Aug 11 – 9:53:21 am

woodpainter: RT @tamaslorincz RT @woodpainter: What happened to the 1st Amendment? – The what??? #edchat — Sorry. I forgot.

 

Tweets pulled from TweetGrid.