21 Things 4 iPad: Thing 2

Connecting and Communicating

Build Your PLN Artifact:

I know have a Twitter account that is following (and being followed) by people! I've had a Twitter account for a few years now, but only used it for additional entries in contests I found on blogs.

I'm still unsure of the real value and use for it. Personally I prefer to use Facebook to stay connected with the world and what is going on around me with my friends and family, but I'll give it a chance!! 

I'm currently following several other educators and companies the are involved in education. The idea of being connected to other educators and sharing ideas with them of what I'm doing in my own classroom is entriguing, however I currently do that on Facebook with different education groups I belong to there. 

I have no concerns about being connected with educators globally. I idea of being able to work with other educators around the world on the same things I'm working on and collaborating on how they teach differently then I do is a benefit many educators still are not comfortable with or understand how to access. 

Participate in a Video Call Artifact:

My family adores Skype 

We use it constantly!! Since my in laws have relocated to Flordia, my kids often Skype with them. Here's a screenshot of my oldest and youngest Skyping with my husband, who was in the other room :)

I've attempted to use Skype in my classroom, but encountered several issues with it. Our school internet doesn't run at a speed fast enough to sustain a video call. A fellow teacher and I were attempting to get our classes together, via Skype, to have a joint math lesson.

Skype could be a very valuable tool in the classroom and I'm hopeful that my district will improve our connection speeds to allow me to use it more professionally. Until then we will continue to use Skype to see family who doesn't live close enough to see daily.