Twitter misadventures and stumbling into connected learning

Twitter

Like most connected educators, my first 'virtual mentors' came via Twitter. While I have had a Twitter account (@BarMill) dating back to 2009, I didn't really make any new connections there. Mostly I followed my friends and a few celebrities. However, I did find time to share some insights from my classroom. Please enjoy these highlights:

Second grader quote of the day: "I love the solar system!"
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) June 4, 2009

Since it's the last week of school, we made up words for our spelling test. Some highlights: froodum, frummy, quimp, katoodia, fleegle
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) June 15, 2009

My students are awesome. My colleagues are awesome. My wife is awesome. Awesome is my word of the day. You're probably awesome, too!
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) September 11, 2009

Article adjective subject verb adverb preposition object-of-preposition.
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) December 11, 2009

Second grader quote of the day: "Pirates do NOT go camping!"
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) January 26, 2010

Second grader quote of the day: "Oh my god, I'm 'bout to get boogie!"
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) February 19, 2010

You know you teach second grade when... you find a tiny human tooth under your computer keyboard!
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 2, 2010

2nd grade quote of the day regarding Winnie the Pooh: Q-"Don't bears have very small brains?" A-"That doesn't mean they can't think big!"
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 4, 2010

2nd grader: "If I make better choices, may I sit over there?" = Game & Set: Mr. Miller.
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 10, 2010

Second grade quote of the day: "My mom is pregnant. I hope it's a boy and a girl."
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 11, 2010

Second grade quote of the day: "Yay! Another noun!"
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 12, 2010

I have a life-size poster of Albert Einstein in my classroom. This kid wants to know how Frankeneinstein died.
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 18, 2010

My second grade students' heads almost exploded yesterday when I called 111 eleventy-one.
— Bart Miller (@BarMill) March 27, 2010

It wasn't until I attended an International Baccaularreate Organization Primary Years Program workshop in 2012 and facilitator Craig Eldred introduced me to #PYPchat that I discovered the potential of Twitter for professional networking and relationship building.

Some of my 'Most Valuable Tweachers' are Joy Kirr, Melvina Kurashige, Steve Collis, and Sherri Edwards. They are generous sharers and active connectors and I highly recommend following them!

Although I don't particularly care for Twitter chats (I prefer asynchronous online collaboration and cooperation), understanding how communities organize around hashtags on Twitter and other networks has been very valuable.

Twitter is a gateway network. Once a user begins to discover and navigate the possibilities, they will uncover opportunities for learning around the world, across diverse networks and communities.

I would encourage you to explore my favorite networked learning community, Connected Learning.

Connected Learning

The first MOOC I lurked in was MIT Media Lab Learning Creative Learning in 2013. Through that experience I was introduced to Connected Learning and DML Research Hub. I don't remember exactly how I was introduced to the Making Learning Connected MOOC, but I signed up and jumped in.

The encouragement and enthusiasm of Terry Elliot and Kevin Hodgson are most responsible for hijacking me into the Making Learning Connected MOOC and Connected Learning community. Please read the post, My Connected Learning Credo, for details on how I was absconded into a life of convivial collaboration.

This community and the networks into which it is woven have been inspirational. To me, it's a perfect example of connectivist learning because the community is the mentor and we all participate to increase its wisdom.

It's also never too late to join Making Learning Connected (#clmooc on Twitter), which kicked off* this week!

*World Cup pun absolutely intended.