Musings of a Migrant Science Teacher

 
 
Picture
I just finished watching the panel discussion on social media at the 2010 Outdoor Retailer Winter Show (See: http://www.vimeo.com/8924432 Search #guerillapanel) Several people I follow on Twitter ( @theclimbergirl @highsteph @wude72 @pembaserves) sat on a panel and discussed what got them started in social media, their experiences, and what makes "virtual" interactions successful.
I'm super inspired. They did a great job, and I can't help but brainstorm ways I can use this personally and at work. For those of you who don't know, I also tweet at @NASA_SDO_Edu - a mildly successful account meant to target teachers and provide classroom support. Part of the problem getting this off the ground is that school policy and teacher resistance makes it difficult to get a foot in the door. The communities exist for this type of communication, but they are small. One comment I liked from the panel was "Don't make your own communities, find the ones that exist and engage them with your message." - something I'd gotten all wrong when trying to make first contact with teacher tweeps. Another comment I loved was about being "authentic" online - be provocative: the word means "bringing out a voice." Be yourself - hard to do when you represent a government agency :-/ Being "NASA" has it's perks though, and we are using twitter to bring together a community around launch... (http://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/sdoisgo/)

I plan on changing my strategy in the weeks before launch, so we will see how it goes. So rather than lengthen this post with my plan, I'd like to ask you a few questions... How have you found community online - either with Twitter, blogging, message boards etc? What opportunities have you been given as a result? (i.e. Katie and my trip to the Adirondacks, or going to a NASATweetup) What "brands" do you speak with, and why do you keep talking to them? And lastly, are you in more than one "virtual" community? I am, and I wouldn't think about changing that.

Thanks in advance :)
 


Comments

Janelle Wilson

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 07:42:20

When I initially got involved with Twitter, I didn't know what to expect. I started looking for fellow educators and eventually fell into the spacetweeps. Both have been really valuable to me.

I think if you are offering info for teachers, it's a good idea to go to some of the educator directories - like http://twitter4teachers.pbworks.com/ and participate with the #edchat on Tuesday evenings.

I love that NASA is reaching out to the community and that you are reaching out to educators. I'm looking forward to sharing the SDO launch with my students. I think some of the other roadblocks are that Twitter is blocked at my school - and I'm sure many others. I'm working around it, but it's not always easy!

 

darren

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 08:29:46

Nice post. One slight correction: Provocative, not proactive. :-)

Canoelover (the bald one in the middle).

 

Leesa Joiner

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:06:38

I started using Twitter as part of a group of technology teachers. We joked it was our 'professional development'. When I started 4alloutdoors.org, I created another Twitter acct, for the site. I've met so many people and learned so much through both accounts, it truly is 'professional development' for me.
(Twitter is blocked at my school, but 'hootsuite' works...

 

derrick

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 09:23:33

Nice post. I totally understand what you are saying about resistance. But that is part of any new venture and was true when you said "internet" not so long ago. I feel much better this time around knowing that in the end many do come around.

My experience with social media is that it's organic and personal. For most of us our lives and personal interests connect deeply with our business anyway. If we explore and follow people, brands and networks that interest us personally we tend to blend in others who are like minded in business and life in general. That's where the doors start to open up and not usually the ones we were conceiving of when we started. I love the bit about being yourself. I think there is success in just being in social media and as soon as you start overtly "doing" you lose your authenticity.

On the other hand I'm a bit of a chump and may be totally off base. :)

 

Nicole

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 10:32:00

Hey! I did a brief survey of astronomy twitter users for my AAS poster... I can send along the results if you like. (Questions about voice, content, etc.)


I'm in two "communities" you might say, astronomy and skeptics. And I've found some great people to talk to, then meet in person! Don't know all where it'll lead yet, but it's an adventure.

 

Aleya

Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:07:31

Janell: #edchat! That's it! I knew I had heard of something for teachers... Thanks!

Aah!! Daren! I meant that! Stupid spell check. Thanks :) #fixed

Leesa: That's interesting that Hootsuite works. The NSTA listserves have been "professional development" for me. It's been my hope that twitter turns into a resource like those amazing listserves have been...

Derrick: Organic. I like that. What you are saying makes total sense, doors open when you just do what you love. I'm still struggling with my "NASA voice" though - the one that is and isn't allowed to say certain things because of what it represents. I think a lot of NASA accounts struggle with this...

Nicole: I'd love those results! And I agree, it's an adventure. I've done things thanks to twitter I never dreamed of. I'm siked to be able to jump on board like I have - being encouraged at work really helps.

 



Leave a Reply