This week is all about community and resources! from learned about Saskedchat- an amazing recourse with twitter, to new colleagues and new resources.
I’ll begin with an honest confession – I never really liked Twitter. I only used it a handful of times and did not see the benefit it has. However, this class has changed my mind. I am slowly and surely learning it has some useful features, and already learned SO MUCH through the resources shared on it! The #saskedchat is one of them. Even though I’m at Yukon, this is amazing. I’m learning to connect with a wide community of teachers from home and afar. And this is a huge benefit. This covers twice the options and communities, and even more- as I’m connected to more and more places. I think it teaches me how to think bigger and wider- a much appreciated lesson.
One resource I found for Formative assessment is Plickers and pretty cool- using the program to collect into quick for a check in assessment to know where the students are at.
Another resource is @GarrickSchmidt on Twitter, thanks Shana Blenkin for suggesting it on Slack! I love land based education, and happy to collect more resources of how to get more involved with it.
I’ve started following new people from our #saskedchat and they’re amazing ! Some ideas just spark more ideas- and I am SO excited to connect with more art, science and math teachers! So now it’s official- I’m good friends with Twitter 😉 I think social media can be harmful when used negatively, but also as a great tool when used thoughtfully- and I’m glad to start changing my relationship with social media in this way. I truly depends on how we use it and it’s refreshing to learn the useful features and not just the rabbit hole feed.
I’d also like to share my business blog for Art at home ideas in the spirit of sharing resources! It’s been made with an amazing team so I can’t take credit for the website (my designer is amazing! and probably happy I’m taking this course haha) I hope you’ll enjoy the content! It’s an art at home blog for, as I like to say, the young at age and heart, nothing fancy. But who knows- maybe just like seeing other art teachers ideas sparked my imagination- this will spark yours 😉 or at least keep the little ones busy for 10 min!
Let me know- what do you think of Twitter? what are some of your favorite online resources from this week? Or just share what’s on your mind and if you like doing art at home online too 🙂
Cheers,
Maya
Hi Maya!
I was also not a fan of Twitter before taking EDTC300. I totally agree with what you said about how social media is a great tool when used thoughtfully. What you get out of it entirely depends on how you use it. Another great person to follow on Twitter is @ChristineYH . She posts great resources and also moderates another educational Twitter chat called #bcedchat ! Check it out!
Hi Sarah, thanks for the tip! I’m looking for more inspiring people to follow so your advice is very welcomed. Also, I’m extra happy to try the #bcedchat! A big thanks- I teach in Yukon and we follow the BC curriculum (we’re too tiny to have our own haha) so this is so very helpful! I was overwhelmed at first but it slowly changes to inspired, as I’m starting to see how these tools can be adjusted to my goals, and seeing it all as more options for support in and out of the classroom 🙂
Hey Maya,
It was great reading your post, and thanks for sharing those resources! I think it is kind of crazy how many students enter into EDTC with negative feelings towards Twitter but leave with a whole new perspective on it (I myself was one of those people). I think that is the joy of these classes is that they show us how many resources and tools are available to us as teachers and I am glad to see that you are getting to connect with others. If you haven’t already I would suggest following @teacher2teacher. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
-Caleb
Hi Caleb,
Thanks for the message! It is crazy how many people were not big fans of twitter, considering it’s so popular. I think it’s a good thing we’re thinking about it critically, and than intentionally using it.
I’ve checked them out and they looks like a great resource. I like their latest post about hallway inspiration. I find that when I’m in the schools it’s the transitions that get the kids out of balance, and having fun, interesting and colorful art on the walls can help re-center as we move in between locations.
Thanks for the tip!