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A Tech Teacher on a Mission

My diminishing love for Twitter chats and why I want to rekindle it

1/5/2016

8 Comments

 
PictureSharing stories about listening to student voice to 500+ ADEs and Apple Staff

When I stumbled upon Twitter chats back in 2013, they were like a breath of fresh air. First, they gave me new information and ways to improve my teaching practice. Next, when I began to put my own tweets out there, they gave me connections and friendships. Finally, they led me to author my own works and thoughts on education, including my blog and YouTube channel, and helped me to gain admission to the UBCMET Masters program.

I am eternally indebted to Twitter chats and the connections I made there. They brought me multiple opportunities to attend conferences, to learn and share my practice, to become a part of incredible educator communities like Apple Distinguished Educators and Google Certified Innovators/Education Trainers. Heck, I even found my future husband on a Twitter chat! (Though that’s not a typical part of the experience, I hear :)

​But... yes, you knew there was a but... here it is: I am not getting what I need out of Twitter chats anymore.

I know I’m not the first one to write about my fading love for Twitter. But as someone who has enjoyed so many positives from the service, this bothers me. A lot. Especially as a co-founder and moderator of #bcedchat. 

I want to make one thing clear: the mission for #bcedchat has always been to bring educators together. To spark conversation and get people talking to one another across the province. I think that is still happening today, after 2.5 years of existence. We have many BC educators pop in and out of the regularly scheduled Sunday night chats (it’s at 7pm PST for those who don’t know). It’s great to connect with an incredible mod team and educators from all over BC and beyond.​

Picture#bcedchat was founded in July of 2013 and brings BC educators on Twitter together every Sunday at 7pm
However, I’m puzzled as to the richness of the takeaways of these Twitter chats for folks. How are these chats impacting classroom practice? Or are they more impactful on participant morale and a feeling of belonging? 

When I first started chatting, the goal was to just sponge it all up - any and every resource I could get my hands on. I was always learning something new or something that I can take and use in my classroom, sometimes immediately, sometimes as an ongoing project. Now, I’m not really doing that, and I can’t figure out if it’s because I’m more picky about resource quality or that I’m simply focused on very specific issues. Is it that I’ve made some close connections and I turn to those instead of my PLN? Also, being out of the classroom this year hasn’t helped either.

As you have probably figured out by now, I am unsure as how to completely articulate the problem at hand. My consideration of possible solutions is about the same. I think I’m looking for a more actionable and purposeful approach to my current involvement on Twitter. This post is me fighting to find one. I feel the connections that have been forged are far too important to let fade away. I really believe in connecting educators and igniting discussions that push thinking.

So help me, PLN: how can an edchat veteran make edchats more meaningful for their communities? For themselves? Are edchats (still) worth it for you? Why or why not?

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Note: If you want more consideration of this topic, John Spencer is really thoughtful about it.

​Also, thanks to 
Kat Mulski for the push on putting this post out there after a discussion at our recent #bcedchat moderator brunch.
8 Comments
andy milne link
1/5/2016 03:36:15 pm

Chats are valuable but can be repetitive. I tried the slowchat method, one question per day on a common theme, related to a blog post but feel like I have to work hard to keep the conversation flowing.
Also too many chats have 'one and done' responses without much real engagement. Perhaps one theme/overarching question over an extended period of time leading to the creation of a useful document/resource would be a way in which to rekindle your affair with the chats?

Reply
Victoria Olson link
1/7/2016 10:32:24 am

Hi Andy,

Thanks for commenting. I've also found the slow chats seem to be a bit disconnected. When you're on and inputing thoughts, people might not be there for a synchronous conversation. On the other hand, your thinking might be pushed over an extended period of time, but I would agree with the "one and done" response types that seem to be prevalent... and from some users, ostentatious. As moderators, our team often tries to go for the "why" or the "how" questions as for a little more depth, but even then, the conversations can get circular. I'm starting to think that tackling authentic problems within a chat, and then having using additional regular chat meeting times to address progress and tweaks might be a cool twist.

Reply
Tom link
1/5/2016 04:13:13 pm

What if chats were centered around a problem? For example there could be a shared GDoc where people write about what they want to solve, then the chat focuses on one problem the group decides upon. Or maybe the group breaks off into smaller groups to further discuss on hangouts.

I think what I am trying to get at is that my biggest issue with Twitter chats is that I tend to forget about them after they are done and it would be really interesting if there was a way to bring more action research into the chats.

Reply
Victoria Olson link
1/7/2016 10:49:28 am

Hi Tom, thanks for commenting!

I like this as it sounds very "edcamp" in nature! I would agree that I also tend to forget after they're done. After all of the conversation around this topic, I realized that I am also not seeking the radical shifts in learning like I used to, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This is not meant to sound arrogant, or know-it-all; it has seemed to be a natural transgression of growth over the past few years, pushing me to focus on issues that are more micro in nature. I think there are times for both in our professional learning.

Reply
Joy Kirr link
1/5/2016 06:50:40 pm

Hi, Victoria! I feel your feelings many nights... Two questions you can add to the chat at the end: What is your takeaway from tonight's chat? and... What will you commit to as a result of this chat? Try those... when educators respond in writing, their plans have a better chance of happening. YOU might not get as much out of the chats, but think of all those joining who are where you were a few months/years ago... :) Good luck with whatever you decide - it will be the right decision for you!

Reply
Victoria Olson link
1/7/2016 11:16:04 am

Hi Joy,

Thanks for your thoughts. We do add questions like those as well, and you're right on: it's ME that's not getting as much out of the chats anymore. With that said, there have been many Twitter veterans and newer members alike that have reached out following this post with shared sentiments. If there are that many people disillusioned, it makes me curious about experimenting beyond the Q1/A1 or open chat format to a collaborative approach beyond 140 characters. Or #flipcass does a flash blogging challenge.

I think one of the most beneficial parts of Twitter for me was that it promoted blogging. Writing about my educational growth has challenged me to take nuance head-on, to address grey areas instead of leaving them alone. Maybe tapping into the community in new ways is possible - I'm looking forward to playing with those ideas some more with moderators like yourself!

Reply
Joy Kirr link
1/7/2016 03:10:07 pm

Yes! I LOVE that Twitter chats have gotten me blogging, as well. I love to include certain tweets, at times, too. Enjoy, Victoria - thanks for the conversation!

vicky link
8/1/2016 04:45:59 am

Talk to health experts and other people like you in WebMD's Communities. It's a safe forum where you can create or participate in support groups and discussions about

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    Victoria Olson
    A curious and passionate educator in Langley, BC

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