A "Tweet" by Any Other Name...

My Twitter History: 

 I started on Twitter in the fall of 2013 (@MrsD0523) which means I was finishing up my bachelors’ degree.  It was a requirement for one of the final classes I was taking. My Twitter account has been dormant since then-as I do not “tweet”-as I talked about in previous posts-I also do not post a lot on social media (Facebook or Instagram).  This assignment came up and I “blew the dust” off my Twitter account to see what I had been missing!

"Blow the Dust Off": 

via GIPHY

In 2013-I had begun following several organizations that directly impacted my teaching career. Most notably I follow Zero to Three, ECE Consortium, IL Early Learning and NAEYC.   After reviewing my Twitter feed, and wanting to update my “contacts” I now also follow several individuals who have direct connections to my teaching styles or content areas such Jean Feldman, Gerry Brooks and Brandy Roberts.  I  also follow several children’s authors including Mo Willems and Sandra Boynton.  

What's all the Fuss About?  

I find Twitter confusing.  I struggle with “#” and “@” I retweet things, but I wonder who sees them. No one has ever “tweeted” me that I know of.  Twitter is not as simple as Facebook-I feel like there are more steps-and less “bang for my buck”.  I do find that Twitter has more relevant material than Facebook or Instagram-it allows me to show my professional side-and leave my personal life at the door. I use Twitter for up-to-the-minute information in my professional career-or when I am directed to access it for a class or other professional development.

TwitterChat: 

Maybe I did not look in the right places for a Twitterchat.  I spent several days looking for one that was relevant to my teaching situation.  I searched #preschool, #earlychildhood, #preschoolchat, #SELChat, #remotelearning and #teachers. I changed the orientation-used uppercase letters on key words and searched again.  I checked on each of the 91 people and organizations that I follow and could not find a single live chat-that I know of.  I did finally find-what I think was a chat-about interview questions…the closest thing I could find to “relevant” in my field. Twitter is like Facebook in that you can find “like-minded” people to follow and commiserate with-but unlike Facebook, the chats and thread were harder to find. 

DeLaney-Twitter Feed/Chat

DeLaney-FB Feed

The Twitter chat I participated in was created by @EYTalking which connects early childhood professionals with each other. The chat that day was about interview questions, I posted along with several other professionals.  It was interesting to read what people had experienced-as I have not been on an interview in seven years.  As working professionals, I think we forget what an impact interviewing has on our psyche.  I recall leaving one interview thinking, "I nailed it"-looking back on it-I clearly did not (I didn't get the job) and today, with sevan years of teaching under my belt-I would answer questions very differntly. Interviews are HARD-and portraying yourself as a confident, knowledgable professional can prove difficult. I was fortunate enough to have only had to go on about a half dozen interviews before I was hired-and haven't had to go on one since. 

Making Connections: 

Twitter has brought me information and connected me to people and organizations that are directly related to my field.  Government agencies, teachers, authors, and colleagues connect me to important information and resources that I can use.   Twitter can increase my knowledge about specific content area and connecting with early childhood professionals.  Some of the most important information I glean from Twitter is about planning and activities.  Vanessa Levin @PreKPages and Karen Cox @PreKinders are two professionals with whom I connect regularly.  Vanessa recently tweeted "How to manage Free Choice Learning Centers"-which provided interesting ideas on grouping students, visuals to use and how to create a 'fair learning space'.  Karen Cox tweeted on Sepember 29th an activity for teaching name, phone number and address to preschoolers-such an important life skill! 

When the Dust Settles: 

Twitter and some social media sites are good tools for educators.  They provide good up to the minute information for professionals.  I do not know if I will continue my "tweets" after this class is over.  Twitter, like my other social media sites may begin to collect dust-only time will tell.