Reflection: Use of Twitter Chats for PL
18th October 2016
It was at PENZ that I first saw Twitter in action from my HOD, Alex Smith. This inspired me to use Twitter more, following other educators and retweeting more posts. I then encouraged a fellow BT with whom I went to uni with to sign up for Twitter as well.We had been discussing the use of Twitter for creating connections, gaining ideas and the possibility of using it for Professional Learning. It was then that she had told me about the different Twitter Chats that she had found and started in participate in, pictured below.
After talking we decided to both particpate in our first #edchatnz together (back in early September). In the past I had watched and read chats while they were happening but almost felt reluctant to join in. I think this came from the small fear that what if my ideas and answers conflicted with others? I bit the bullet and joined this first chat although I still felt hesitant to answer all questions.
My participation and highlights from my first #edchatNZ can be found at: https://storify.com/_malbish/8-09-2016-edchatnz-being-time-poor
After creating new connections such as other BTs, finding new educators to follow and gaining some new ideas I realized how beneficial these chats could be. I realize that there is no need to fear what others think of your ideas as just like everything in life, some my love your ideas and others may not agree. With this new found confidence I have tried to participate more in Twitter Chats. My participation and highlights of these Twitter Chats can be found on my Storify page: https://storify.com/_malbish
