It's big wide world out there! This is one of the themes of this weeks learning. This week we learned strategies of using websites like google and twitter to stay connected with our students and other teachers. Since you found this website, most of you would know that Google is much more than just a search engine, but also a series of e-tools. I for one love the way that Google seamlessly connects your email, blogs, websites, calenders, web albums, etc. so you can put one password in and have access to all your tools in one area.
For teachers it is especially important to be part of PLN or Professional Learning Network. The ability to communicate with other teachers across the country or notify all of your parents quickly by e-mail or instant message is invaluable. It has never been easier to develop professionally with the ideas and advice of other as it is now. One resource that more and more teachers are using to stay connected is Twitter. There are even websites out there to help you find good teachers to "follow" and tips for using Twitter as an educational resource. I remember when Twitter had first become popular a couple of years ago and a teacher I had encouraged us to join to further our educational goals. I quickly rode Twitter off as a fad and assumed that it would disappear quite quickly, much like My Space. However, as evidenced by the "follow us" on Twitter icons on many websites and the growing professional realm that is using it, I think it may be around for while, like Facebook.
In all, things like Google tools, Twitter and Facebook are the way that we and our students are getting our information and news these days. It only makes sense to make them a part of of PLN's and let them help us with our job.
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