Well, I signed up for Twitter (reluctantly I might say). I have had co-workers encourage me to get it before and I have kindly declined. I didn’t like the idea of trying to figure out who to follow and how to get followers. I felt very overwhelmed at first.
After I took the time to watch Dr. Katia’s video explaining the basics of Twitter I was a little more at ease. I will not lie I was still nervous and unsure but figured I signed up for this class and that it is better to jump in with both feet rather than just dip your toes in the water. So, I am going to jump in feet first into the Twitter world and see where it might take me. I am not going to say that I will stay for a long time but I will give it this class and if at the end I am feeling comfortable you might be seeing more Tweets from me.
I have been reluctant to get onto Twitter as I saw it as one more thing to do. I wasn’t aware of how helpful it could be if you had an understanding of how it works and of how to find the useful, relevant information you were looking for.
This week I have been diving in and tweeting and retweeting. I feel that I am getting the hang of it and am feeling more confident doing it. I actually am excited at the end of the day to take a look and read all of my #eci831 classmates Tweets and to make some of my own. I am still trying to get the hang of making a catchy Tweet but I think that will come. I was happy to discover that you could use Twitter from your computer as I found it easier to navigate. I even figured out how to add Tweets with TikTok videos. I am a little proud of myself as I normally shy away from technology.
Teaching Early Years I can see myself using the information that I find on Twitter in my class but it isn’t a platform that I would use in my class.
Moving forward I think that I will continue to use Twitter but might not be as active on. I like Social Media that I can use to get ideas from but not that I need to interact a lot with. I have yet to be brave enough to join a chat. I might need to look at my Thursday and see if I can join in. I know that it is like anything the first step is the hardest.
This class was way out of my comfort zone but I see the importance in it as the world is ever changing. As an educator it is hard to sometimes stay current. I am grateful that my eyes have been opened to Twitter and the fact that it isn’t all that scary or intimidating.
I feel confident that I could help someone get onto Twitter, like a Tweet, make a Tweet, follow some people and groups and feel comfortable navigating around a bit.
I am in the same boat as you, Andrea. I have definitely not been an excited users, but I can see the uses of it. I think the more that we learn how to use the platform the more we are able to see the value of it as a tool.
Brian, I agree. It is through education that we learn how to use these different platforms and are able to teach our students how to use them in a meaningful and productive way as well. Being an educator in the early years it is still not a platform that I will use directly in my classroom but I will use information that I have gained from it within my class.