Evaluating Technological Tools

Social media is important for schools that are committed to professional development. Staying connected with other educators, administrators, and experts allows teachers to transform their approach in the classroom (Burt, 2014). Building a personal learning network through Twitter, blogs, and other sites allows educators to collaborate and share resources and ideas easily. While professional networks for educators are important, there are some valuable technological tools that help to create learning networks for both teachers and students.

Twitter

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Twitter is a valuable networking tool for teachers and students. Use of these tools can support children as they build research skills. Students are constantly connected and have instant access to real-time news and information (Osborne, 2012). For example, posting a simple tweet can spark a conversation with a real audience with different perspectives (Davison, 2015). On a global scale, students are able to "share information...and contribute their own thoughts" in an authentic way (Pandolfo, 2012).

Teachers is a platform for educators to share out information about resources, classroom ideas, and current research in education. Building my personal learning network through the blogs, wikis, and social media, primarily Twitter, has really helped me develop technical competencies with these tools as well as transform my approach to technology in the classroom (Burt, 2014). Twitter has become extremely valuable as I have discovered new learning tools to utilize in my classroom and have read articles that have challenged my thinking. 

Below is a video outlining ways to incorporate Twitter in education:

Diigo

Diigo is a powerful tool that helps students and teachers create digital learning networks. With an account, users can bookmark and tag web pages. It also allows users to highlight and annotate parts of a webpage. In addition to being a useful individual research tool because these can be accessed from any computer, these bookmarks and notes can be shared in specific groups or with the entire Diigo community.

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This can support student learning in a number of ways. Students can perform research on a topic and save annotated resources to a social group. Students working on similar projects can collaborate through Diigo as well.

Diigo also provides professional development opportunities. Teachers can share articles about current trends and best practices in education.

6 Best Diigo Groups for Teachers:

1- Educators

2- Literacy with ICT

3- Ed Tech Talk

4- Classroom 2.0

5- Discovery Educator Network

6- Cool Tools and Ed Tech

Google for Education

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The use of Google Apps is exploding in schools districts across the country. Even entire states are adopting it into their schools. The benefits are widespread both within and beyond the school walls. Upon first glance, a primary benefit is convenience; teachers and students have the ability to keep all of their documents and resources in a centralized location (Bright Hub, 2012). The fact that it is free is also appealing, but most importantly, it is engaging for students, as well as "interactive and...encourages collaboration" (Bright Hub, 2012). For example, students from around the world can work together to communicate and develop word documents and presentations.

While the Google Apps Suite is impressive, Google has also shown its dedication to promoting collaboration among educators through Google for Education. It has a Google+ page for a global network, as well as an option to search for a local Google+ page for educators. They even have created global digital conferences, launching Education on Air this past May. This was a wide-scale meeting of the minds for teachers across the world.

Virtual Learning Community

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The Virtual Learning Community is a resource for educators using Everyday Mathematics. It is a space created and maintained by the Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Chicago. Teachers post videos of model lessons and printable resources. There are discussion posts as well. It is a community dedicated to improving mathematical teaching practices.

Click here to watch a video and to learn more about Everyday Mathematics Virtual Learning Community.

References

The Best 6 Diigo Groups for Teachers to Join. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/06/best-6-diigo-groups-for-teachers-to.html

Bright Hub Education Writer. (2012). A Guide to Google Apps for Education. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/teaching-methods-tips/96575-a-guide-to-google-apps-for-education/

Burt, R. (2014). What is a PLN? Edublogs Teacher Challenges. Retrieved from http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/pln-challenge-1-what-the-heck-is-a-pln/

Davison, S. (2015, March 4). Social media inside, outside of the classroom. Retrieved from http://smartblogs.com/education/2015/03/04/social-media-inside-outside-of-the- classroom/?utm_source=brief

Pandolfo, N. (2012). Social Media and Video Games in Classrooms Can Yield Valuable Data for Teachers. The Hechinger Report. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/30/social-media-and-video-ga_n_1465082.html

Using Diigo in the Classroom (n.d.). Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/team8project9440/using-diigo-in-the-classroom-2