Uni Task: “After reading about Facebook groups, write a short blog post about what you have learned. Have you created your own groups or joined groups created by others? If this is something you were already using, would you now consider using it in different ways?”
When I started out on Facebook, in 2008, it was primarily to keep in touch with family and friends and it’s been like that for most of my time there. A few years ago though, I discovered there were groups I could join, and for me, sharing educational insights with like-minded people – some I knew, some I didn’t – began.
While researching for this blog post, I found I was a member of some 30+ educational groups, ranging from outdoor learning, to loose parts play, to early years digital technologies, and so on. I have really enjoyed being part of these groups, and I have found them to be extremely useful. For instance, being a member of one particular group, lead to me arranging with the group administrator to deliver a presentation at one of our settings In-service days.
So, having a basic understanding of how Groups works, I began having a ‘practice’ of setting up my own group, for family members. We’ll see how that goes!
There have certainly been discussions at work, about setting up Facebook Groups. I’m wondering if perhaps the first step, is to set up a Staff group, as most of the staff are on Facebook. I feel tentative steps are in order, so I’ll be discussing this at work, to gauge the mood, and hopefully assessing how this goes. Perhaps then, as a further means of family communication, we can look to set up a Nursery Group, to compliment our Twitter page. Many parents comment that they don’t “do” Twitter, or they don’t understand it. Perhaps the more familiar Facebook will make an easier communication tool? Watch this space – the future IS digital.
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As part of the first module, “Fundamentals of Effective Learning Design”, I am required to complete the following task: https://www.23things.ed.ac.uk/week-4/
As an on/off Twitter user since 2009, with a few accounts, I use one particularly for education interests. It is this account here I will be referring to.
Part of the task was to ” Write a short blog post reflecting on your exploration of one or more of, Lists, Analytics, or a management tool such as Tweetdeck or Hootsuite.” so here it is.
My use of Twitter has mostly been with an educational head on, (and naturally, following the odd celeb or three, isn’t that right, Judy and Hugh) following numerous people, many in Scotland, all in a similar field. I have found it to be useful for my own professional learning and development as it is very straightforward to read their tweets, click on links within them, either to fellow Tweeters, or to useful websites, articles, blogs etc relating to education.
The 23 things article, directed me to investigate Twitter Lists – an easy way to create a list or group of specific people on Twitter and keep track of their tweets. I had a memory of playing around with this in the past, but not really having much of a purpose, however, now, I have sorted the people I follow into categories specific to educators and edu establishments in my area, and also, to those working at Education Scotland in a digital capacity. This has been a very useful exercise for me and I hope I remember to use the lists feature to follow more closely.
Twenty-three things also prompts me to explore Twitter Analytics, a part of Twitter which lets you review the impact your tweets have, the audience they reach, and more. personally, I don’t feel too worried about my reach, but I will certainly review the analytics of the Twitter account I manage for my workplace.
The task finally challenges me to review a management tool such as Tweetdeck. I haven’t yet done so, but I will at a later date. There is potential for this to manage the other account I look after, but I will reserve judgement until I’ve had a chance to play with it.
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Google Hangouts and Zoom
I don’t envisage using Google Hangouts either professionally or personally for the same reason I decided not to use it when it first launched in Google and came pre-installed on a new phone several years ago. It seems clunky, too much hassle when there are other similar apps and services which will do the same, much easier. Zoom, on the other hand, looks interesting, and something I’d like to explore further. (when?!) I’ve signed up for the live tutorial (it’s only at 11pm!) so hopefully will find this interesting and useful.
I can see a use for this in my workplace, for collaboration purposes between staff in different locations. We are currently setting up an EY Cluster group, for sharing and developing good practice between settings. As part of a working party, I can see this could be useful in this instance, for when colleagues are unable to meet in one location. I’ll be sharing this with my boss, as I can absolutely see a use for her, with other Headteachers.
Edit: I did watch the live tutorial on the Zoom website. Vincent, the presenter was great. He directed the viewers through a basic how to guide, displaying on screen a view of his screen. I did type a comment in the Q& A box; I’m not sure if he saw my comment, or just didn’t respond!
I haven’t done much in the way of video conferencing personally. I use Skype for Business at work, but this is mostly instant messaging. Webcams are not standard tech for our PC’s so this is what reduces that option. I have been part of a training where the trainer has used screen share. For demonstration purposes, I quite liked it, and for remote locations there is a definite benefit. My learning style appears to be kinisthetic, and given that this training happened in the same room I’d rather watch the board at the front and copy on my own screen in front of me.
Wikimedia
This took me completely by surprise as I had no idea that the whole “Wiki” platform was so extensive. Of course, I’ve used Wikipedia, and always borne in mind that it is freely editable, so taken information found with an open mind. I hadn’t been aware likes of Wikimedia Commons, or WikiQuote (I’ve spent far too long browsing quotes from my favourite movies!) Do I/Would I use Wikimedia in the learning I will design? I think possibly now, yes. I will be much more aware of the knowledge base and would potentially use links to relevant articles as reference points.
