Twitter and Conferences are like Peanut Butter and Jelly

Twitter and Conferences do go hand in hand. I just finished reading this blog post by Chris Brogan. In the post entitled 27 Things To Do Before a Conference it says to check twitter for posts about events or conference topics. I am getting ready to head out to the Northeast Louisiana Tech Fair in West Monroe, Louisiana and the keynote speaker Brain Mull has requested that all participants complete a task before arriving to his session. The assignment is as follows.....

Sign up for Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/. Once you sign up, you will see a textbox within your account where you can type a message (of 140 characters or less). I’ll explain a bit more about this tool during the session, but for now I am just going to give you a quick assignment. In the textbox, answer this question. What is the main barrier stopping you from using more innovative forms of technology in the classroom? At the end of your answer, type #NLTF. Again, I’ll explain more on Saturday.

It was interesting to see the hand full of folks that responded to the call. There were only 8 but people still have today to get involved. The average tweet was about 3 per person. One fellow actually just joined and was following 20 people. I guess that is how twitter keeps going! What a great activity to show people how they can follow each other at a conference or get notes on conferences that they don't even attend. Not going to a conference like Florida Educational Technology Conference -FETC then try #FETC to get a micro-blogging version. The power of Twitter is amazing! I can't wait to see all the tweets - Tweet On Region 8!

Mapping your Twitter network: Twitter.mailana.com

Mapping your Twitter network: Twitter.mailana.com:

What a great resource! Does it matter who you follow or why? I guess that depends on your use of Twitter. I see this site as an important tool in determining my future follows. You can see the recommended list of those to follow - Don't worry Mr. Tweet I won't abandon you. You can also select a user to view their conversations. I plan on researching my BFFs (determined by conversations) to see their BFFs. Gosh! I never thought I would use the BFF term again in my lifetime. I am not surprised that @gardenglen is my top BFF. He is one of my best Intel friends. I look forward to using this site to expand my network. I am hoping to locate other Louisiana educators through this venue. Once I locate one then the rest should be cake...with twitter.mailana.com!

25 words or less

I was just reading a blog post about words that connect us http://tinyurl.com/52aoa6 It’s based on the premise that one meaningful idea can be expressed in precisely 25 words.So I thought that I would give it a try. This is my attempt: Looking into the night to find that one star to make my wish. Is it only just a wish but why not a blog post.

It only took me two attempts. My first draft was 26 words so I guess the author was correct in saying It’s communication. It’s participation. It’s connection. It’s a blog post. It was also interesting that tiny url truncated my URL to 25 characters hmmmm...I think that we may be on to something.

Lucie outposted me

Lucie deLaBruere posted a great summary of the Google Teacher Academy. http://www.infinitethinking.org/2008/07/inspiration-and-innovation-at.html Thanks for sharing!

Getting to know Google

I am working on creating a Google site with the information that I obtained from the Google Teacher Academy. I am using the site with the Intel Senior trainers. I am finding some great resources on the web. I enjoyed reading 57 Useful Google Tools You’ve Never Heard Of
and blogs referencing Google Chrome. I have been updating my iGoogle page but I am having trouble concentrating with the PacMan gadget on my personal tab.

Google Teacher Academy

This is the eve of the Google Teacher Academy and I am anxiously awaiting the big day tomorrow. I feel as though I have won the Golden Ticket to see the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory. I am at the Hotel Avante working on my action plan to describe how I will be using my knowledge of Google apps in the classroom. I plan on using this blog to document my year as a Google Educator. I hope to journal the good, bad and ugly of my adventures. I will also highlight my tasks as an educational technology consultant in Louisiana.