Twitter Hashtags - Case & Point

I once heard someone say, "Twitter is like drinking from a fire hose."   Using Twitter can seem like an information overload and seem pointless without knowing how to make sense of its content.

And if you don't know how to filter content through hashtags, Twitter can just seem like random thoughts posted by too many people and sometimes those thoughts, or Tweets, get ReTweeted.  Then, there are these Hashtag things.  Say what?!

If you watch the following video and this makes sense, then you probably understand hashtags and you can stop reading this post.  But if you watch it and miss the point, I'll try my best to make a case for using Twitter and leveraging the Hashtag for professional growth.  

#HashtagSpoof

So I take it the video made no sense to you and even though you are slightly confused, you still want to know more about hashtags.  In the wrong hands (see video above), a hashtag can seem meaningless and idiotic.  In the hands of a professional Twitter-user (not me), a hashtag can filter information to... 

• Locate specific information/resources, 
• Communicate with other like-minded people, and 
• Share information/resources with others.

#WhatisaHashtag

Okay I'm trying to be "cute" by making my subtitles hashtags.  As you can see, Twitter hashtags start with the # sign and are followed by a word or phrase associated with a topic.  For instance, #EdChat is a hashtag that thousands of educators meet-up on Tuesday evenings to discuss weekly topics.  As a former fourth grade teachers, I would watch and chime in on the #4thchat discussions on Monday nights.  Being a Indiana Native, I cannot forget to mention #INeLearn, which occurs on Thursdays.  Follow hashtags that pique your interests.

Basically, hashtags filter information by topic and make it easier to understand the fire hose of information.  When used well, hashtags can make a Twitter user's experience more like a run through a sprinkler than a full-power blast from a hose.  Using hashtags helps control the flow of information.  

#AskQuestionsandGetAnswersfromExperts

Use hashtags to receive an answer to a question.  We had a snake slither into one of the elementary buildings, while students were coming in from recess.  The students were extraordinarily calm about snake rushing through the hallway.  To be honest, I think it scared some of the teachers more than the students.  To be even more honest, I'm not a big snake fan.   However, Twitter has tons of them, I found one of them through the use of several strategic hashtags placed within my Tweet below.  I took a picture of the snake once it was safely outside, asked a question, and inserted many science-type hashtags.  Then, my answer came in from David A. Steen (@AlongsideWild), and I gained a valuable resource in the form of his blog, Living Alongside Wild, from this quick answer he provided.  This is just a great way to connect your classroom with experts.

#FollowChats

Here is just one example of using a hashtag to follow a common topic.  The Global Read Aloud project is currently connecting many teachers and classrooms through the use of a shared read aloud experience.  The #GRA13 hashtag is a great tool providing teachers with instructional resources, classroom connections, and opportunities to communicate with Authors like Kate Messner below.  Whenever Tweeting about the Global Read Aloud, just and the #GRA13 hashtag to your Tweet and your message will be sent to anyone following that topic.  

#NextSteps

Take the plug into the Twitter firehose and attempt to make sense of all that content through the use of TweetDeck and hashtags that help you locate information and resources.  The image of the TweetDeck webpage below displays how hashtags can be separated into columns--sprinkler graphic from earlier.  

If a teacher leverages the use of hashtags effectively, they can grow exponentially as a professional with the collaborative power of Twitter.  Regardless of how much technophobes bash the use of Twitter and hashtags, in the "right" hands Twitter hashtags can be used to locate, communicate, and share.  

For those teachers looking to connect with other professionals teaching the same subjects follow hashtags, search for hashtags that relate to your subject-area and grade-level.  Use the resources at the end of this post to locate hashtags for education.  By locating hashtags and Twitter-users to follow, you will grow your professional learning network and refuel your passion for teaching and learning.  

#AdditionalResources

• The Complete Guide to Twitter Hashtags for Education 
• CybraryMan's Educational Hashtags
• The 2012 A-Z List of Educational Twitter Hashtags by Edudemic

Global Read Aloud Overview - Zombie Edition #GRA2013

Last year, I created a video overview on the Global Read Aloud for the teachers in my school and this year is no different.  Except this year, I added some Zombies from Nugget Head Studioz.  I suggest that you go to their site and download your own Zombie images if wanted.  Use them for your own presentations with students.  The Zombies were my hook to the content and there really isn't any connection between them and the GRA.  I just used them with this simple FAQ presentation.  But, feel free to create your own connections.

By Nugget Head Studioz

I used this presentation last week to introduce the GRA to the teachers within my district, and now I am writing my post to share this resource with everyone that couldn't make it to Indiana for my inspiring presentation.  Like Jem, it was truly outrageous!

Here is the YouTube video and the SlideShare like for those that would like to advance through the slides at their own speed.

Gra overview from Dan Gibson

Mystery Skype

Skype in the Classroom

Many of the teachers involved in the Global Read Aloud project saw a lot of value in using Skype in the classroom. Another teacher and I were discussing her experience, and she stated that her read aloud became more interactive and focused. Rather than just reading for enjoyment, she had an instructional focus. Because the class had to be prepared for their Skype call, the students had a reason to pay attention to the reading, and "Skyping" with another classroom made the experience authentic and relevant.

Mrs. Rizo started charting all of the states and areas within Canada she has "Skyped." See the image of her map below.

Thank you to all that participated in the Global Read Aloud. It was probably a little scary at first but it was educationally valuable.

The Global Read Aloud is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many projects out there to integrate within classroom instruction. Check out Skype in the Classroom to get an idea of what classroom projects are out there regarding Skype. On this site, you join certain projects or start your own Skype project.

Mystery Skype

One that I like is called Mystery Skype. With Mystery Skype, the idea is to Skype a class in another part of the country and attempt to figure out where they are located based on simple yes/no questions. A "yes" answer allows for a follow up questions, while a "no" answer gives the opposing group the chance to ask a question. Students are broken into groups and given jobs for their Mystery Skype session.

Check out the following video overview from Langwitches:


The Mystery Skype Call from langwitches on Vimeo.

Mystery Skype Jobs

All of these jobs do not have to be utilized. They are just ideas that may help. Maybe there are some jobs missing below. What should we add? Please comment below.

• Greeters – say hello and tell something about us without giving away our location
• Inquirers – ask the questions of the other group
• Question Keepers – type questions and answers on computer
• Mappers – use atlas, Google maps etc. to zero in on the clues
• Logical Reasoners – eliminate states that don’t match the clues
• Clue Keepers – collect relevant information from everyone
• Back Channelers – record what is happening during Skype call on Edmodo or Today’s Meet
• Runners – goes between other groups and help with research and getting questions to Inquirers
• Digital Photographers – captures the Skype call with a digital camera
• Videographer – uses a video camera to capture what is happening
• Twitter Updaters – is class has a Twitter account send out updates
• Live Bloggers – write blog post on classroom blog about the Skype. Remember to end with questions to get more comments.
• Closers – give more information about us and end the call.
• Langwitche’s Skype jobs
• Google Doc Job Resource

I suggest  that students write reflect on their experience.   Students could also post their jobs online to demonstrate their involvement.  A whole group reflection on Kidblog can be found here: http://kidblog.org/DentonDynamos/tag/our-first-mystery-skype-call/

Possible Questions

Of course, students can think of additional questions as they eliminate states.

• Are you in the United States?
• Are you east/west of the Mississippi River?
• Does your state border another country?
• Does your state have a coastline?
• Does your state have a mountain range in it?
• Are you attached to a Great Lake?
• Does the __ River flow through your state?
• Is the capital of your state __?

Mystery Skype Resources

• http://4thchat.wikispaces.com/Mystery+Skype+Sign+Up
• Signup sheet with 4thchat teachers
• http://langwitches.org/blog/2011/06/18/the-excitement-of-learning/
• Silvia’s blog post with video of the Mystery Skype call
• http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/mystery-skype-call-with-langwitches.html
• Linda Yollis’ blog post about the Mystery Skype call with teachers at a training with Silvia Tolisano
• http://mravery.edublogs.org/2011/06/14/mystery/ 
• Mr. Avery’s blog post about his Mystery Skype call with Linda Yollis’ class
• http://yollisclassblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/mystery-skype-call-with-mr-avery.html 
•  Linda Yollis’ blog post about the call with Mr. Avery’s class
• http://pnaugle.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-first-mystery-skype-call.html
• https://education.skype.com/
• http://www.pernilleripp.com/2011/10/so-you-want-to-do-mystery-skype.html

Ivan's Katherine Applegate

Pernille Ripp did such an outstanding job with the Global Read Aloud project, and Katherine Applegate--author of The One and Only Ivan--noticed her hard work.  Katherine Applegate answered several student questions about Ivan.  Take a look at this video and see if it something you would want to share with your students.  

She makes some good points.  I like what she says about being a writing.  She doesn't lie when she states, "It's difficult!"  I think students should hear this from an author.  Writing isn't about completing an assignment and being "done."  It's a long thoughtful process that develops the perfect message for an audience.  I cannot count how many times students just did not want to rewrite a "final" draft.  After the second time, students always grabbed the standard operating comment--"but, I've already written the final copy"--and threw it in my face.  Students don't "own" or see value in the writing.  Instead, they are merely completing an assignment.  

Once I had my students create blog posts, this started to change as students relied on an audience to motivate them to produce better work.  At first, writing is limited but it soon starts to grow into a well-thought-out message.   Have students blog!  Use Kidblog, EduBlogs, Wordpress, or Blogger.  Create writers not second copy completers.