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.
I know last week, that I went over (very briefly) some ways that you can use social networking in your teaching and classrooms.
This week, I wanted to spend a bit more time on Google+, since this is the newest and most likely the least "familiar" social network for most people.
But first, a few announcements for the week.
1. I will be traveling to Lake Benton tomorrow, November 14th.
2. Today is the Girls Basketball meeting after school, to be followed by open gym.
3. There will be another open gym on Thursday for Girls Basketball.
4. Elkton Basketball Gear is for sale. If you want an order form: click here
5. I will be travelling to Harrisburg on Friday, to attend a technology conference hosted by Apple.
First, the layout of the Google+ Page is similar to Facebook...but there are a few other things on there.
screen shot of my page
As you can see from this picture... it's familiar. You can do any of these things similar to facebook:
Post photos online (and create albums)
Post events (and invite people)
Edit/change your profile information
And of course....make posts to put out there, in which you can include pictures, links, and videos.
Determine which group you want to see and/or post to. (Google+ calls these "circles")
However, if you look on the right side of the page... you see that Google+ has a "trending" feature, similar to what twitter has. What these are...is simply subject matter that is being discussed on Google plus in high volume.
So... How or Why is Google+ better?
Well... There are a number of ways.
First... within the Google+ "Chat" function.... there is an option to do video chat, which they call a "Hangout".
If you click on the "Start a hangout" button, you will be prompted to invite others to your hangout, and you can video chat with them over Google+. (Very similar to Skype)
Another thing you can do with Google+, is find new and interesting information, articles, links, Photos, etc... that are recommended for you based on your "interests" (who and what you are 'following'). The link for this is located on the left side menu bar, and is titled "Explore". If you click on "Explore" your Google+ page will load with a number of interesting articles and links. (again, this will be 'personalized' for your experience...depending on what you follow, and/or post about).
A post from "Did you know"
A post on the Galaxy Nexus
The "Circle" function within Google+ is really neat and simple to do. You are allowed to create and manage as many "circles" as you want. And it is just so easy to use. You simply select people from the "suggestions" at the top of the page, and drag them into your desired circle. In addition, you can "search" for people, or businesses, or things of that nature...that you want to add to your circles.
Manage circles by simply "dragging" people into the circle.
Another Neat thing about Google+, is that since it is a Google product, it's integrated into google... So if you do a google search for something, and you want to share the results of that search you can do it right from your Google page.
See the picture below, in which I did a simple search for "Girls Basketball Uniforms". Notice that on the top right of the page.... there is an option to "Share" this information in Google+. Really neat feature.... streamlines the need to copy and paste links to e-mail or things like that.
The last thing about Google+ that sets it apart from other social networks is the "Streamified" Ap. To use "Streamified" you need to run the Chrome Web Browser (which is of course, Google's web browser).
Streamified is added to your chrome browser, through the chrome "Ap Store". What Streamified does... is puts all your social media networks.... into your Google+ feed. So there is no need to change websites, check facebook, look at twitter, log in to LinkedIn, and then go to Google+. You can see them all, at the same time with Streamified.
See the "Streamified" Ap, in the top right of the browser?
See the two posts here... one from facebook, another twitter...right within the Google+ Stream
One thing I would add about "Streamified". I would probably do this on my "personal" computer, and not for school work. (You can have Streamified on your school machine, and still choose to see only the Google+ stream, though). This way, when you are sitting at home and surfing the web, you can see all your social media in one place!
So How and/or Why should you use Google+?
-Well, after doing some research into Google+, and talking with people who use it. I have found that it is mostly a "professional" type of social network. I heard it explain this way: " I do "family" stuff on Facebook, check the news on Twitter, and discuss and collaborate with colleagues on Google+".
To sign up for Google+, it's very simple... all you need is a Google Account (Which most staff members should have already). And you can set up your Google+ account just by clicking on the +Name that is listed at the top left of your Google web page (if you are signed in).
Click on your Name+ in the top left, to log in to set up your google+ account.
Well, that was certainly a very long post. I hope you found it informational, and maybe it "spurs" a few people to give Google+ a shot. It's an excellent application, and something that can certainly be used in education...whether that be for Staff Development, collaboration, Parent Teacher Conferences (you could do a make-up over the Hangouts!), or just research (by following people and/or magazines, journals, etc... that are in your field).
Please let me know if you would like to set up a Google+ account, but are unsure how to get started, and I will be glad to help you "get your feet wet".
If you want... I'm including a short video here, kind of a simple "Users Guide".
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.
I should mention that although I can see where elementary teachers and classes could use edmodo for certain classes, this is going to be mainly geared toward MS and HS students and classes.
What is Edmodo?
Well, to put it simply, Edmodo is a Course Management System (CMS) that allows you to give assignments, set the calendar, collect assignments, give quizes, etc, etc...
Here is a short Youtube video that goes over some of the basics.
Why use it?
First off all, it is very simple and easy to use. I started using it last year in my High School PE classes for our Health/Assignment days, and was so happy with it, I started using it in all my MS Health classes.
Secondly, for me it was helpful in keeping all assignments, quizzes, discussions, in one central location. Instead of having students turn in one assignment here, and one assignment there, I had everything turned in via edmodo. There is even a quizmaker right on the edmodo site, so you can put your assessments on there.
Third, It looks like Facebook. What better way to connect with students, than to use a format that they are familiar with. In fact, that is what Edmodo calls itself, "an educational social network".
Edmodo's format is very similar to Facebook.
Fourth, Edmodo can be integrated throughout the school. Students only need to remember one username and password to get into Edmodo. Each class (or "group" in Edmodo terms) is assigned a specific code by Edmodo, the Teacher then shares that code with the students, and they join the group. So once a student is logged in to Edmodo, they can simply switch classes by clicking on the appropriate group. Multiple classes can be accessed with one simple log in.
Fifth, anything you want the students to do... visit a website, write a paper, listen to a podcast, can be linked to the class page. Basically any web based activity can be accessed from their class page, and it will remain there, until you decide to take it off, or not.
Sixth, you are in control. You can limit if the students can make public posts to the class. You can set cut off dates for assignments. You can re-set a student's password if they forget. If a student withdraws from your class, you can remove them.
7th, Parental Involvement. For each student, they have a code that can be given to their parents. Their parents can then see every assignment that has been given them through Edmodo. They can also see the assignment that their student has turned in. Parents will need to have their own login and password, and you can provide them with the code for their student. After that, it's easy.
8th Mobile Format. Edmodo has a mobile app, that allows Teachers/Students/Parents to access their Edmodo over their Smart Phones.
I only used Edmodo in the classroom for one school year. But only because I hadn't heard of it before then. I do see that the Elkton staff has been exposed to Edmodo (although I'm not sure as to how much), as it is a link included on the school's links page.
Before that I used the State's webct program (Which is now Blackboard). That worked fine, but I much preferred Edmodo. It was just easier to use, and the students enjoyed the edmodo format much more. In addition, the longer I used it, the more I was able to integrate it into what I was doing. It got to the point where my Health students were surprised and disappointed if we weren't working on Edmodo that day.
If you ever need help in getting started on Edmodo, send me an e-mail and I'd be glad to assist you. It's a really neat tool, and something that can be used throughout the curriculum.
