There are many things in the Web 2.0 world that are simply "cool". The geek in me is attracted to websites that let me paint the screen like Jackson Pollock, or calculate my daily caloric intake, or send little messages out to the cyber world about what I'm doing at any given moment. But it's really an exciting moment when I find a web application that truly makes my life simpler, more efficient and/or better in some way. I've experienced this with Evernote about nine months ago. And while I've been using it for well over a year, Twitter has now transformed from fun pastime to indispensable professional tool.
The difference? Hashtags. I've always sort of used them, but have never seen them in all their glory until recently. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with all things Twitter, hashtags are keywords that are preceded in your post by a # (or hash) sign. Searching for specific hashtags allows users who may not be following each other to follow all of the comments of a specific interest group. Following hashtags bring you into contact with others who hold common passions. When I started on Twitter, I followed people that I knew away from the computer. Recently I've been following those whom I have never met, but share a love of Music Education.
Specific applications? Mondays from 5-6PM Pacific, search for the hashtag #MusEdChat. Music Educators from all over the planet (primarily the US, but not entirely) begin a discussion on a predetermined topic (via web poll) with every post including #MusEdChat. It is that simple. The results are amazing. I've never had such an interesting, relevant, collaborative discussion in my 11 years of teaching music. I've always taught at small schools with either one or two music teachers. The choir teacher at my school and I talk daily about a number of things - music related and not. But the intensity and rich diversity of experiences, ideas, & perspectives found on #MusEdChat is unparalleled. Even in the setting of a state or regional music educator's convention, you just don't get the steady free flow of ideas from so many contributers. The basic mechanism of Twitter encourages this sort of collaboration.
So what? Is this really useful or am I just geeking out? I believe this is truly a turning point in communication between music educators (and others - there are Twitter groups for every subject of teachers out there!). I plan to continue my participation in the weekly discussion. I'm looking forward eagerly to the new Music Professional Learning Network (MPLN), created by Dr. Joseph Pisano, that is going public Monday, July 19th as another way to share ideas, methods, successes, failures, stories, and encouragement.
My suggestion for other teachers out there: Sign up for Twitter right now. Treat it as a professional tool - so your profile should reflect you as a teacher. Start following people. I'm @MrAhrens. I'd be happy to follow you back if you follow me. I would suggest reading Twitter using one of many clients. These add functionality to the basic service. I use HootSuite for day-to-day use and TweetGrid to take part in group discussions. Do a search for hashtags that you may be interested in. (#MusEdChat #EdChat #ElemChat, etc.) Cybrary Man has put together a large list of educational hashtags here. Play around, you'll get the hang of it soon enough.
I'm using Twitter to communicate with parents and band members, but I'm now thinking there is probably an even more effective way to share band communication. Perhaps our own hashtag could be developed? What about Twitter collaboration for all teachers at my high school? Or school district?
Twitter was fun when it was me telling my wife that I was getting lettuce at the store. Through the creativity of its users, it has become an incredible communication and professional development tool. It's a great time to be a geek!
Artwork: "Autumn Rhythm" by Jackson Pollock
@MrAhrens
