Twitter and Personal Learning Network

My first experience with Twitter was when I was assigned  a PLN (personal learning network) assignment from my class LIS 724. The goal was to explore Twitter to get real-time advice, articles, educational resources, etc. to help take teaching and library programming to the next level. I was surprised at how useful this tool can be and how helpful so many people were. My Twitter name is @Library_Nell.

I began exploring #educhat and technology in children's libraries Tweets. I stumbled upon the following Tweet featuring technology I had just made plans to purchase for my library, Dash and Dot Robots. I proceeded to ask it and instantly I received a very helpful response telling me about an educational resource to use in conjunction with Dash and Dot Robots called the Blocky app. 

@Dysonict Tweet Source

This small conversation gave me confidence to start a #educhat of my own. I asked the following Tweet about favorite technology to use in library programming. I was again blown away by the responses and interactions.

@Library_Nell Tweet Source

@dysonict was especially helpful in finding practical and free resources to use in the classroom. After all often it is best to start with free resources then to build from there. He shared a wonderful Padlet that he created linking all of the free technology websites he would recommend to use in the classroom. I included the Padlet below as I believe many teachers and librarians would find this resources very useful.

@Dysonict Tweet Source

Padlet by James Dyson

This was a very successful experience in using Twitter in this way for me. I was intimidated at first by posting a Tweet and responding back to strangers and other educators but I quickly found that my anxiety was unfounded. It is a free and easy resource to use to keep up and furthering my teaching education. Often it is very practical advice that is given by people who have gone through the process in the past and can give you the run down of what to do and what to avoid doing. I would recommend this PLN method to any educator looking to stay current, explore new ideas, and gain valuable networks.

Great Twitter profiles to follow:
@Bighollowpri
@dysonict
@HornBook
@WaucondaLibrary
@ALALibrary
@CommonSense
@GraysLibrary
@FoxLakeDL
@skokielibrary
@RAILSLibraries
@IllLibraryAssoc
@JanetteFuller
@sljournal
@yalsa
@wearealsc

Resource:

Dyson, James (2018). Free ICT and Computer Science Programs. Padlet. Retrieved from: https://padlet.com/james_dyson/gnjjk5ghscdz