Understanding Twitter Chats – A Guide to Start & Join the Conversation
Professional learning can take many forms. From workshops to conferences, as educators, we often seek professional learning in many different ways. One very powerful way to network and learn is through Twitter chats. One of the fastest trending chats would be #MEMSPAChat. This chat occurs every Thursday night at 8:00 PM. So how does a Twitter chat work? Twitter chats are much like an online question & answer forum or an open house. According to a Rob Mathison blog on hosting Twitter chats, there are 6 key elements of every Twitter chat: A hashtag: Your Twitter chat hashtag gives your discussion an identity and helps people find and follow it on Twitter. A host: That would be you. Every Twitter chat needs a host to start things off, encourage participation, and moderate the discussion and keep it on track. A topic and content: Twitter chats can either be a general discussion or about something very specific. Either way, you need to have an idea in advance of what you want to talk about, and some prepared content and talking points. Questions and answers: Twitter chats usually follow a Q&A format. The host asks questions or posts discussion topics (indicated by Q1, Q2, etc.) and participants post answers (A1, A2, etc.) to make it easy to follow along. A set date and time: Instead of starting Twitter chats as and when you feel like it, successful Twitter chats happen at predetermined times—often on a weekly basis in the same time-slot. Think of it like that radio show or live podcast you tune into every week at the same time. Participants: The last thing you want is to end up talking to yourself, so getting the above things right is crucial, as is promoting your Twitter chat effectively. You can also invite selected participants and special guests. If you are new to Twitter chats or are just looking for some tips, be sure to check out the articles below. Also, don't forget the #MEMSPAChat every Thursday night at 8:00 PM.
Corner
April 9, 2019
@SISDInstruction
The Power of Twitter Chats
Great Lakes Bay Instructional Services Newsletter
@JohnWMertz
Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Successful Twitter Chat
Curriculum
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Place Based Video Link
Too often STEM and Place Based Education are treated as ‘one-off,’ and not integrated into long term growth. The Au Gres-Sims School District has received national attention for integrating community based learning into all aspects of their curriculum. Located in Michigan’s rural Arenac County, the Au Gres-Sims School District is in the northern edge of the Saginaw Bay Watershed and contains many natural assets including local rivers and forests, coastal wetlands, and of course Lake Huron! With financial support from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network (saginawbaywin.org), the District created this film to highlight their unique STEM curriculum overlay and placed based programs. Places create stories. Au Gres-Sims is featured in this fantastic video by Heart of the Lakes! Watch “Place Based” and better understand the creative the district is doing to continually push paradigms, ask "What If," and collaboratively design unique Place-based, experiential learning opportunities for Au Gres-Sims students as leaders in a "Destination District!"
Jeffrey Collier
Au Gres-Sims Schools
Au Gres-Sims School District Featured in New Video
Minecraft Pilot Program - Year Three Applications
5 Surprising Benefits to Playing Minecraft
Why Kids Love Minecraft and How it Benefits Them
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Michigan’s Minecraft: Education Edition Pilot Year Three Application Available The Michigan Department of Education released a memo on March 21, 2019 indicating that applications are open for year three of the Michigan Minecraft: Education Edition (M:EE) Pilot program. Local districts ISDs, PSAs, and career tech centers are eligible to apply. The application window is from March 21, 2019 to May 21, 2019. This version of the popular open world game, Minecraft, is specifically designed for education, containing features that make Minecraft more accessible and effective in a classroom or after-school program setting. This program aligns to the MDE’s Top 10 in 10 Strategic Plan by enhancing access to effective technology tools that support deeper and personalized learning. For more information about this opportunity, take a look at the links provided below. For additional reading on the benefits of Minecraft, take a look at the articles to the right.
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Regional/Partnership Opportunities American Chemical Society CERM 2019 BAISD Fine Arts Network - April 17, 2019 MiCareer Quest Middle Michigan - October 30, 2019
2018-2019 PD Guide
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MI OER Summit 2019 The Michigan Department of Education is very excited to announce the date and location for the MI OER Summit. The Summit will be held on October 18, 2019 at Delta College in University Center and will feature Keynote Speaker Jess Mitchell, Senior Manager, Research & Design at Inclusive Design Research Centre, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada. The deadline to submit a session proposal has been extended through May 15, 2019.
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#GoOpen with OER Roadmap Are you interested in creating quality digital curriculum? Become a part of the exciting #GoOpen movement through OER Roadmaps. For more information and to register take a look at the links provided below.
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Read by Grade Three - Parent Awareness Toolkit Have you taken a look at all of the information available for families in the MDE Read by Grade Three - Parent Awareness Toolkit. Be sure to look at the site and share these great resources!
U of M Website
Literacy Update
Disciplinary Literacy - Online Course Offering
Disciplinary Literacy: Apprenticing students as readers, writers, and thinkers in the disciplines Learn more about this 10 hour online course and/or register at: Upon finishing the course successfully participants receive course completion certificate; Michigan SCECH hours are available through CEDER upon request (notify CEDER prior to completion that you want the hours) Group discounts available:
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$125 USD
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Discount
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10%
$112.50
10-20
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$106.25
20-30
20%
$100
30+
25%
$93.75
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Kathy Peasley Associate Superintendent of Instruction Contributor
Important Information on Critical Issues Impacting Education in Michigan Educator shortage and public perceptions of education are major issues impacting education in Michigan. If we are to move forward as a state in restoring the pride and value in our educational system, these issues must be addressed. MASA recently convened a work group to look at the critical shortage issue. Links are provided to the results of this work. Launch Michigan recently released the results of their statewide educator survey created to determine what is needed ensure the continued development and retention of a quality education workforce in Michigan. If you have not had the opportunity to do so, I would strongly encourage you to review this important work.
John Mertz Bay-Arenac ISD Editor
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Turning the Tide on the Talent Shortage
