THE EDTECH COLLECTIVE
A Collective of Educational Technology Resources for Educators
SOCIAL MEDIA
What is Social Media?
Social Media tools are tools that allow for social interaction and easy creation of content by learners/users. Examples of popular Social Media tools are Twitter, Facebook, TikToK, Instagram and YouTube. Social Media can be an effective tool for teaching and learning in education, as it can help connect students to information and help them generate a dialogue with their teacher and other students about a course. It can also help students and faculty build professional networks that connect them to foster community of practice. Let's check out what are some awesome resources that available on social media may support your professional leanring.
TIKTOK
TikTok is a video-sharing-focused social networking service. The social media platform is used to make a variety of short-form videos, from genres like dance, comedy, and education. Each video has a duration from fifteen seconds to three minutes making it easy to learn from educators on the platform about classroom tips, teacher hacks, technology in the classroom, and beyond.
Here is a list of 5 users that are especially helpful, you can find them by searching their names in the “Search accounts” bar on TikTok:
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This platform focuses on supporting elementary school educators with technology teacher hacks.
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This platform focuses on supporting educators with technology tips and tricks that improve the efficiency and design of classroom resources.
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This platform focuses on supporting educators through helpful tips that reduce teacher burnout in a technology dense society.
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This platform focuses on supporting elementary school educators with creating welcoming classroom environments while sharing stories about teaching and advocacy.
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This platform focuses on supporting elementary school educators with technology tips that enhance classroom
resources and emphasizes the importance of working as a team of educators.
Instagram is a photo sharing platform with many tech minded educators. When using this platform to learn from others, think about checking out the “Suggested for You” section within an educator’s profile. This can lead you to other people creating similar content that might interest you. If you’re looking for some tech-minded educators, check out these Instagram users in the search bar:
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On her page, Julie Smit offers examples of digital projects and games that make learning fun for lower elementary students.
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If you’re a science or math teacher, check out Farah Jardine’s page. You’ll find digital choice boards, review games, and interactive learning activities.
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With a focus on teaching math to upper elementary and middle grades, Alexandra shares digital worksheets, as well as teacher organization tips and tricks.
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This instagrammer’s profile is full of creative ways to integrate technology in the upper elementary school classroom.
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Twitter is a 'microblogging' system that allows you to send and receive short posts called tweets. Tweets can be up to 140 characters long and can include links to relevant websites and resources. Twitter has the potential to enhance students’ learning capabilities where teachers can follow someone you can see their tweets in your twitter 'timeline' or You can choose to follow people and organisations with similar academic and personal interests to you or through hashtag (#). Twitter is a giant professional learning network (PLN) that helps teachers step outside of their classrooms and schools. It provides a modern platform for teachers to share, network, gain emotional support, build professional learning communities, and make a contribution to their profession.
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Some of the educational accounts that us recommend to follow:
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EdTech Magazine explores K-12 technology and education issues that IT leaders and educators face when they're evaluating and implementing a solution.
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EdTech Magazine explores higher education technology and education issues that IT leaders and educators face when they're evaluating and implementing technology tools.
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Edtech blog + books + podcast + club for educators
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Monica Burns's Website : Here
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Educational Technology Committee is a subcommittee of the Coordinating Committee of VPs Academic & focused on exploring teaching & learning technologies.
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Inspiration and information about what works in education.
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Produced by the George Lucas Educational Foundation.
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EdTech Update is a collection of the leading industry thought leadership in the form of blogs, webinars, and downloadable resources, on one convenient website.
YOUTUBE
YouTube is an educational tool that supports students learning. Students and educators can simply search a topic that they would like to be explained or elaborated on and a wide variety of videos will be readily available! YouTube provides the opportunity to access learning opportunities and enhance at home and in class learning. Educators can easily integrate YouTube videos into any class whether it be to introduce a topic, explain a new concept, motivate students or incorporate a new way to engage students. YouTube also acts as a social platform where individuals can comment and contribute to the community. Educators and students can utilize YouTube for short and easy clips that allow students to grasp knowledge in small periods. YouTube can be accessed online and is an accessible site for both in class and remote learning. The ability to view, rewind, fast forward, pause and replay allow students to go at their own pace and develop their notetaking skills. Videos on YouTube incorporate visual and audial aids in order to help viewers retain knowledge and gain a better understanding. Students can also create their own videos which allow the development of creativity while showing an understanding of concepts taught.
Some examples of educational YouTube channels that educators and students can utilize are
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This channel focuses on publishing talks and performances in order to motivate viewers. Each video is 18 minutes or less allowing for educators to easily incorporate videos in the classroom. Ted Talks covers technology, entertainment, art, design, climate change, science, business, global issues and many more interesting subjects. Videos are accessible as Tedx offers videos in a variety of languages and different age groups to reach different demographics. demographics.
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This channel focuses on providing high quality educational videos available to students across the globe. Crash Course covers over 32 courses and subjects such as chemistry, literature, history, biology, theater, ecology, philosophy, geography and many more. A key feature of Crash Course is the playlist organization of business, media studies, math/logic, life science, physical science, social science, history and study hall. Crash Course is an easy channel for both educators and students to navigate and utilize.
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This channel brings weekly tutorials on education technology. New EdTech Classroom focuses on “How To” videos that features technology software and different learning management systems as well as technology tips and recommendations. Some sites that New EdTech Classroom features are Google Slides, YouTube Videos, Google Classroom, Nearpod, Google Jamboard, Canva and many more.
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This channel focuses on providing practical problems, articles and videos to help educate children around the world. Some subjects that Khan Academy covers are math, biology, physics, history, chemistry, economics, grammar, finance and much more. Khan Academy is accessible as the resources have been translated into multiple languages in order to help educate kids globally.
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This channel uses animation to engage with children. Peekaboo Kidz focuses on educational videos and songs. Some topics covered are learning disabilities, planet earth, geography, pollution, space and many more. A key feature on Peekaboo Kids is the Dr. Binocs Show that helps teach children new things every episode.
Facebook is a free social networking service with a mission to give people a voice, to make technology accessible, to promote businesses and create jobs, to build community, and to keep people safe and protect privacy. Businesses, communities or groups, and people over 18 years of age can create an account. Users can upload photos and videos, have discussions on the homepage (also known as the wall), join groups and communities, hunt for sales on Marketplace, play games, have live chats on Messenger, email friends, and send friend requests to other members. There is an option to comment or like someone’s post or to share a public post on your wall.
Here are some examples:​
@Bitmoji Craze for Educators​​
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Request to join this private Facebook group. It is for educators to share ideas and to ask questions or ask for support on using bitmojis in virtual classrooms. You will find virtual libraries (e.g., Eric Carle, Black History Month, Lunar New Year, Jewish Heritage Month, etc.), content in various subject areas (e.g., money, fractions, life cycle of a plant, etc.), and anything to do with bitmojis.
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"Art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages" are ensconced at the Royal Ontario Museum. This Facebook page has photos, videos, and events of the rich learning that is happening at the ROM.
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This Facebook group is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to the study, preservation and promotion of Black History and heritage.
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@Elementary LGBTQI2S+ Resources and Support
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This private Facebook group offers a safe platform for educators to share and discuss lesson plans to support LGBTQI2S+ students in order to promote equity and culturally relevant practices.
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This Facebook group is for everyone interested in creating better schools in the 21st century.
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This Facebook group is the MEHRIT Centre; it is for sharing knowledge, resources, and learning opportunities with schools and communities.