Neat Website: Tagboard

I was thinking, that there's no way I can get all of these neat sites I learned about at TIE out to all the Teachers before the end of the school year.

So, I decided just to make a few posts on them over the next couple weeks, and you can just remember to look at my blog sometime, and try to "catch up" on some of these when you have time.

Today's site is:  Tagboard

What Tagboard does... is it searches for things that are trending in social media, by searching the "hashtags".

Simply enter a hashtag and click search...tagboard will display your results.

I think this would be an amazing tool for studying current events.  Say you want the kids to write a reaction paper to something that happened in the news, or you just want to have a class discussion on something...you can use tagboard to pull up links to articles, and also see what people are saying out on the various social media about the subject at hand.

As you can see on the bottom of that picture, Tagboard will search: Twitter, InstaGram, Facebook, App.net, Vine, and Google+.

For instance, this is a screen capture I did this morning for #BostonBombing.

If you click on the picture to make it full size... you can see that the tweet in the top left was posted by "Justice for Jahar" and links to an article about how some men were framed in 1965.

And there are of course, photos of the memorial (from instagram), and if you were able to scroll down... you would see that there are links to multiple articles about the bombing, the suspects, and the handling of the case.

What a cool tool to use, for real time discussion of real life events!

Here is another example.  I went to Google News, and saw that the "Internal Revenue Service was one of the "Top Stories".  So, I went to Tagboard, and searched for "#IRS".  Here is my result:

Again, you may have to click on the picture to read the postings... but you have real time discussion of real events.  I did that search at 9:39 am, and every posting on this screen capture was posted at 9:38 am.  This was as the Congressional Hearing was going on... people were posting what was said, and who said it.

Can you imagine the discussions that you can get over Current Events?  And you won't be limited to "one side" of issues, because you will have people posting from around the world with different viewpoints and different ideas.

Some possible ways to use in the classroom:

• Social Studies - discussion of current events  (Both High School and elementary for that matter)
• Social Studies - use tagboard for research...finding links to current articles, blogs, etc, etc...
• Language Arts - writing a reaction paper on a current event
• Science - for instance maybe you're study "weather patterns" or something, and there is a major weather event in the news.
• Compare and Contrast - you could find opposing viewpoints on different issues, and have students look at the arguments and reasoning for both sides.

Lots of critical thinking activities could go on with this one.

If anyone is interested in learning more about Tagboard, please let me know.  If you want ideas, come and discuss with me.  Also, if you use tagboard, and want to share about your successes and/or failures please let me know.

Each of the examples I showed above, were done without having an account.  So, you don't need an account to use it.  Why would you need or want an account?  To see "protected" messages.

For Example:  I tried to do a search for #ElktonSchool to see if anything from our twitter account came across.  I normally use the hashtag #ElktonSchool on our twitter postings.  It did not.  

This is because the school's twitter account is "protected" and since I wasn't signed up and approved as a "follower" on Tagboard.  But, if I signed up for tagboard... I could link my personal twitter account to it, and since I am an approved follower, I would then be able to see those posts.

Tuesday Teacher Technology Tidbits: April 16th Social Media and Major Events

First item today, is to give a shout out to all the first responders and emergency personnel in Boston for their heroic actions in response to the bombings yesterday at the Boston Marathon.

Every time there is a tragedy like this, I am amazed at the bravery displayed.

The events of yesterday were tragic, and horrifying.  As I was sitting down last night watching the news, I figured that I'd check what people were saying on twitter.  It was amazing.  I pretty much completely ignored the television the rest of the evening, and read the various stories and posts that people had linked to their twitter accounts.

It's such a tremendous change in culture.  Social Media has become almost equal with the television in how people view events.  And amoung younger users, it has probably moved ahead.

Think back 10 years ago, and it seems inconceivable that people would ignore their television screens for their computers or cell phones.  Yet there I was scrolling down my twitter feed on my phone.... looking for new articles, new information, first hand accounts... whatever I could get my hands on.

The Elkton School Twitter 'Feed'.

The immediacy and ability to link to first hand accounts, has enabled social media to "leapfrog" the television networks.

I just thought of this, but last weekend I found out that Kobe Bryant injured his achilles on Twitter.  I then clicked on the link to the story (on my phone) and as that page was booting up, I turned on Sportscenter for confirmation.

Just consider that for a second.  The television wasn't the place that I heard the news, the television wasn't the place that I went for information... the television was the place I went for confirmation.

Strange Days indeed.

Imagine what the world will be like in another 10 years, when today's teenagers are in their 20's and have spent their entire formative years with social media (facebook, twitter, etc...) at their fingertips.

For those of you 'resistant' to join social media, I'm not going to tell you that you "HAVE TO" or "NEED TO" sign up for these services, However, I do think it is important for you to realize that this is the culture and world that our students are growing up in.

This is how they relate to each other, how they get news and information, how they communicate.  If you voluntarily are choosing to not participate... well, you are voluntarily choosing to 'close' your ability to understand your students.  That may sound harsh...but it is true.

Teacher Tidbits: Social Media and Digital Citizenship

Good Tuesday Morning!

Did anyone happen to see who was on the cover of CBS Sports Webpage yesterday?

Nate Wolters on the cover of CBS Sports Webpage

Very Excited to see what the Jackrabbits can do against Michigan on Thursday night.  Hope it's a good game, and may the best team (that night) win.

Today's Topic - Social Media and Digital Citizenship

With the influx and proliferation in Social Media, throughout society, I think it's important as educators (and parents) that we work toward educating our students in "digital citizenship".  

According to Wikipedia a "Digital Citizen" -  commonly refers to a person utilizing information technology (IT) in order to engage in society, politics, and government participation.

So basically, a person who uses the Internet to participate in any number of activities.  Social Media is part of society, and therefore a large part of digital citizenship.  Anyone who participates in the multitude of Social Media outlets, whether it's:  Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, LinkedIN, etc, etc...  they are participating in society through the digital media.

There are some great resources out there to help people with their understanding of digital citizenship.  These are things that would be good for everyone to review, but also these are things that would be helpful to teach to our students.  How can we expect them to know, and follow, the expectations of digital citizenship, unless they are taught to them?

Some good Digital Citizenship sites are:

1. http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/
2. http://digitalcitizenshiped.com/
3. http://www.nisd.net/digitalcitizen/
4. http://www.ciconline.org/DigitalCitizenship
5. http://www.commonsensemedia.org/advice-for-parents/digital-citizenship

One good idea to keep in mind, in dealing with students and children and their use of the Internet and social media.  Be an ACTIVE participant in their use.  Follow what they are doing.  Check up on their online activity.  Have them show you the sites they go to (use can use the history files for that).  Be Vigilant!  They won't know what's right and/or what's wrong unless they are taught.

What is "Catfishing"?

So, unless you were hibernating in a cave last week, you probably heard something about the Manti Te'o story.  It seems the All American linebacker for the Fighting Irish was taken in by something called a "Catfish" scheme.

In a nutshell, Te'o's "girlfriend", who supposedly died of leukemia in September, never existed...and was actually a dude from California, who orchestrated the whole hoax.  The story was broke by the sports blog Deadspin.com, and was soon being covered by all the major media outlets.

So, what does this have to do with education?  Well, not much so much with actual education and teaching...however the environment that our students exist in, is very different than any previous generation.

We live in the age of social media.  Nearly every High School student has a social media account of some kind or another (Facebook, Google Plus, Twitter, etc, etc...)  In fact, I would venture a guess that most students have MORE than 1 social media account.

So what is a "Catfish"?  According to the Urban Dictionary:  Catfish -A catfish is someone who pretends to be someone they're not using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, particularly to pursue deceptive online romances.

Evidently, this behavior became more of a phenomenon, after a 2010 Documentary film was released. The success of the film, led to the producers being offered a television deal by MTV, which premiered this past November.

This is the reality of life that our students today are living in.  People are doing this sort of thing for "sport" or "fun".  It's not unusual behavior.

I think the important thing to do, is to make sure that children are educated in safe behavior in social media.  There are a number of good websites with articles and/or lists of ways to do this, such as this one from Common Sense Media.

Students in general, need to be aware, that people who contact them online, through the use of social media, MAY not be who they appear to be...and to not give out any personal information.

Teachers, talk to your students and make sure they know what safe online behavior is; and parents...talk to your children about their online activity.  Ask them who they are talking to...make sure that you are included in their list of "followers" or "friends" so you can see who they are communicating with publicly.  Be vigilant, and help our students/children as much as we can.

Tuesday Teacher Tidbits: Social Media

First of all, Happy Election Day!

As they used to say in Chicago.... "Vote Early, and Vote Often!"

Trivia:  Do you know who came up with this slogan?

Today, I will be leaving in the morning to go out to Roland Colony to work on Internet connection to some of their new computers.

Tomorrow, I will be traveling to Lake Benton and helping them with any technology issues they may have.

On to the subject at hand:  Social Media

Did You Know:

• 91% of online adults use social media regularly
• 83% of people believe platforms like Twitter and Facebook help them make new friends
• 40% of people spend more time socializing online than they do face-to-face
• Every minute of the day:
  • 100,000 tweets are sent
  • 684,478 pieces of content are shared on Facebook
  • 2 million search queries are made on google
  • 48 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube
  • 47,000 apps are downloaded from the App Store
  • 3,600 photos are shared on Instagram
  • 571 websites are created
  • $272,000 is spent by consumers online
• 80% of active Internet users visit social networks and blogs
• social media use has increased 356% in the US since 2006
• 93% of US adult Internet users are on Facebook

So, what does this mean for Educators, and Education?  

Well, simply put.... people out there are using Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, etc, etc...)
-What a better way, to bring your message to people... but to put your message out in a format that people are already using.
(Imagine Mom and/or Dad surfing their Facebook page at home in the evening, and they see "Don't forget History Test tomorrow!" posted by their child's History teacher.)

So I thought I'd break down a few of the more popular social networks out there.  Each of the 3 social networks listed below are free to use, and all you need is an active e-mail address to get registered.

Facebook:  The most widely used Social Network.  I would not suggest that you link to your own, personal, Facebook page... but, there is an option on Facebook, called "Create a Page"... you can create a page like "Mr. Harming's classroom" or something like that, where you post any and all information about your classes.

Also important:  Privacy settings - this will apply for all social networks.... I would set all educational privacy settings to private... so that they cannot be seen by the public at large, but only by people that you "approve".

Twitter:  Twitter is the fastest growing social network.  In fact, 53% of all Twitter users have been members for less than a year...compared to 19% of Facebook users.  Twitter is growing rapidly.  In addition to growing rapidly, it is the preferred social media of choice among young adults  (the 18 to 29 age demographic is the largest on Twitter).

 In Twitter, you post short messages (140 characters or less).  A great tool for announcements and things of that nature (Science Test Thursday!).  In Twitter, there is also a feature within your profile that allows you to connect your "Tweets" with your Facebook account.  So you post your message on twitter, and it goes on both Twitter and Facebook.

Google+:  Google Plus is basically Google's version of Facebook.  Since it was "late to the game" (meaning started AFTER Facebook and Twitter) it is not as widely used (yet).  However, Google+ has some features that the other networks do not have... or have since adopted in tying to "catch up".
-Video Chat... Google+ calls this a "hangout", and it allows you to video chat (think Skype) right over your Google+ account.
-Control your message - Google+ has a feature called "Circles".  In "Circles" you can choose who you send your message to.  You can create as many circles as you like "Students" "Parents" "Co-workers" and then share them with who you like.  Not long after Google+ went Public....Facebook tried to copy this format, and do something similar.
-Follow other social media - If you use the Google Chrome Internet Browser - You can add an "Ap" called "Streamified"... what streamified will do... is post all the messages from your facebook, twitter and other social media accounts....right in your Google+ stream!

In my opinion... and take this for what it is worth, because I tend to love most Google products.  But Google+, is the best and most advanced social network out there.  However, since it is the least used of the 3 I have mentioned here, it may not reach as many people... (unless you use Streamified).

Again... I want to Re-Emphasize...
If you want to use a social network for classroom/educational purposes.... make sure that you have set your privacy settings...so that you can control who sees your message!  Very Important!

If you are interested in starting or setting up a social network... but don't know where to begin, please don't hesitate to contact me:  Mark.Harming@k12.sd.us .  I'll be glad to give you some tips.

Trivia Answer:  Al Capone