As a teacher, you know how important it is to keep learning and growing in your profession. But how can you connect with other educators, share ideas, and find new opportunities online? Social media can be a powerful tool for networking and building professional relationships, if you use it wisely. Here are some tips to help you get started.
There are many social media platforms to choose from, but you don't have to be on all of them. Focus on the ones that suit your goals, interests, and audience. For example, if you want to showcase your classroom projects, Instagram or Pinterest might be a good option. If you want to join discussions and share resources, Twitter or LinkedIn might be more relevant. If you want to create and watch videos, YouTube or TikTok might be fun. Do some research and see where your peers and mentors are active, and follow them.
En dehors des plateformes il y a également les chats tel que discord et Slack sur lesquels on retrouve des communautés d'enseignant qui partage leur savoir et débatent.
I've found there is a large community of Maths Educators on Twitter, whereas there are a larger group of Tutors on LinkedIn and Facebook. Twitter is short and sweet comments and links LinkedIn is the most professional and longer discussions Facebook is the broadest, reaching the widest range of people and groups. Pick where you want to be focusing. Start with one platform, get the hang of the basics before you add in another. You don't need to do them all at once.
Le choix de la plateforme doit également prendre en compte l'accessibilité, s'assurer que la plateforme choisie est accessible à son public et qu'elle permettra de répondre aux besoins de celui-ci.
Choosing a platform that suits your interest and goals is very important. There you can learn a lot from other teachers with similar interests and even meet and make new friends, who can make the journey a smooth ride for you
Know where you want to spend your time matters. What platforms fill you up? Which ones feel exhausting? Trust your gut here. Then set limits. You don’t need to be online all day to see results.
Your social media profile is your online identity, so make sure it reflects your skills, achievements, and personality. Use a clear and friendly photo, a catchy bio, and a link to your website or portfolio if you have one. Include relevant keywords and hashtags that describe your niche, expertise, and interests. Avoid using personal or controversial information that might harm your reputation or credibility. Update your profile regularly and keep it consistent across different platforms.
One thing I have found effective in expanding my professional network as a teacher is utilizing social media platforms. One time at work, I connected with colleagues and education communities on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. In my experience, joining relevant groups and participating in discussions has fostered valuable connections. Additionally, sharing insights and educational resources has enhanced my online presence. Building this digital network not only provides a platform for collaboration but also opens doors to new opportunities within the education community.
I have two Facebook accounts, one that is personal and the other is for my students. These two accounts both serve their purpose which is to keep my personal life away from my professional life. My students weren't able to see my pictures with my family and my family weren't able to see students' posts on my wall as well.
Networking is not just about collecting followers or contacts, it's about building relationships. To do that, you need to engage with your network in a meaningful way. Follow, like, comment, share, and tag people who inspire you, support you, or challenge you. Join groups, chats, or hashtags that relate to your field or topics of interest. Ask questions, offer feedback, share insights, and express gratitude. Be respectful, helpful, and authentic. Don't spam, self-promote, or argue.
Be an active participant in your own platform and in others. Not only will this help you build rapport but demonstrate your willingness to collaborate and exchange ideas on best teaching practices.
View networking as a collaborative symphony, where each interaction adds a unique note to the melody of your professional journey. Seek shared experiences, listen attentively, and harmonize with the diverse voices in your network. In this ensemble, relationships flourish, creating a tapestry of support and growth.
En dehors de son propre contenu. Il est également important de participer au contenu des autres. En commentant par exemple. Qui est au passage une autre forme de contenu que vous pouvez faire.
One of the best ways to engage is to comment on people posts. Share your thoughts, your opinions. (Be polite and not pushing an agenda) That way, others will reach out and connect with you as well as join in the conversation. It broadens your network as well as engaging with them
One of the best ways to showcase your value and attract attention is to create and curate content that demonstrates your knowledge, skills, and passion. Content can be anything from blog posts, podcasts, webinars, ebooks, infographics, slides, quizzes, to memes, gifs, stories, reels, or live streams. Choose a format and a topic that you enjoy and that matches your audience's needs and preferences. Use catchy titles, clear language, and attractive visuals. Add your own voice, perspective, and personality. Cite your sources, give credit, and respect copyright.
When you create content, try and make some of them personal. Relating to things that you're reading, doing. My most engaging posts are those that are slightly quirky and usually when I've been out and about and getting a related education point. (There was one about a postbox!) So add some of you, your personality and character to your content.
Un bon point de réseautage, la création et l'organisation des contenus. Avec l'essor des REL, nul besoin de réinventer la roue. On exploite les ressources disponibles selon le degré de liberté accordé, on peut les modifier pour les contextualiser selon notre public, ses réalités et ses besoins. Diversifier les formats de présentation des contenus pour qu'ils captivent et retiennent l'attention, suscitent l'engagement du public. Veiller à l'exactitude des informations véhiculées pour garder sa crédibilité, sa validité et sa fiabilité.
Super simple… tell stories and use images to grab the attention of your target audience! Also, don’t be afraid of videos and get over the fact that nothing will be perfect!
I totally agree with this, in this era, those making loud noises are the trophy earners. Whereas there are restrictions to what can be shared online as a professional teacher, I still prefer the old way of waiting for my learners to someday do the talking on my behalf while I must have impacted them with the time I had with them.
I think creating content about what sparks your interest will give you the best chance of connecting with like minded people - you don’t need to reinvent the wheel!
Social media is not only a place to network, but also a place to learn and grow. You can use it to access a wealth of information, resources, and opportunities that can enhance your professional development. You can follow thought leaders, influencers, experts, and organizations that offer valuable insights, tips, trends, and best practices. You can enroll in online courses, webinars, workshops, or challenges that can improve your skills or knowledge. You can apply for grants, awards, scholarships, or jobs that can advance your career.
If you are unsure of where to begin for professional development, consider the feedback from your audience (esp. that of parents or students). They may give you an idea on what skills you can improve to provide them with resources to support their learners at home in the future. I believe the goal should be one of lifelong learning for both myself and those around me.
One thing i have found helpful is following thought leaders, experts and organizations that curate content relatable and new content that is engaging. It has been a learning and growing process since i joined various social media platforms. I have been able to access webinars, short courses which have contributed to my performance in and out of class. To the teachers out there wondering where to start, LinkedIn or X would be a good place to start. In addition, curating the timeline of such platforms is possible, easy and you will be happy to engage, learn and grow.
Educating yourself on the ever evolving available information in the education field is a great way to grow your skills and knowledge. Reading up on news articles, research studies, and staying up to date on the latest developments is a beneficial way to stay in the know.
Just get going with posting content. The demand to consume information has never been higher. You will work out what connects and what doesn’t. The metrics will give you some idea of what is connecting but don’t rely purely on the data available. Try not to compare yourself to others that have been engaging online for a longer period. You will find your pathway in your time.
Managing social media accounts can be a daunting task for most people. Mostly because it is one more thing they need to add to their already full to do list. When you figure out a time to create a content, make sure to cover a variety of topics and themes. This will help with having enough content that can be scheduled to be shared over a period time. However, also ensure to have some time to respond to comments and feedback.