Social Media and Me

How DID we do it years ago without the internet and connections that we have now?

I remember.

My first teaching job started in 1994. (Some of my favorite teachers were not born yet, or were in primary school! GASP!) In order to get ideas (and we were always looking for some) I had to subscribe to magazines (The Mailbox), or go a teacher store (can't even remember the name). The store was small, but a good start. There really wasn't collaboration for me then. I did in my room, they did in their rooms, and we got along.

Now, in 2015, I have blog friends, Instagram friends, and friends IRL. I'm not a hashtagger, but I can link. 

I started reading blogs in 2010. They led me to places and ideas I never dreamed about. One dream was to enter a giveaway. But you had to have a blog. So in 2012 I started a blog. And won that first giveaway I ever entered.

It's been fun to go back and read early posts. My how I've changed as a writer. Originally my blog was about sharing what was going on in my room. Now it is for that and a place for me to reflect. The friends I have made are so caring and sharing. They give ideas and creations, and just want the best for me (and probably everyone). I call my blog friends by their given names and my husband knows who I am talking about and maybe even what state they are in. Family trips may be planned around who I can visit (Toledo, Cincinnati, Shipshewana) or who I hope to visit (Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City). 

My blog is a source of encouragement and the best form of collaboration and I cannot imagine leaving it for very long.

Instagram started for me in 2013, and I use it for both school and family photo sharing. I thought about having a private account, but that was just too much work for me.

I've used Remind in the past, but not every family signed up, so it felt wrong to send out some information when not everyone was going to get it. 

My school has a FB page and I can post there, but what if I had a separate class page? That is more that I have to research this summer.

MIchelle @ Big Time Literacy has me intrigued about using Twitter more. (I have an account, but rarely get on, I just don't "get" it.) 

So, in review...

1. Social media is great. For collaboration and inspiration. 

2. There is always more that could be done, shared, created. Use what works for you. When you feel brave, try something new.

Thanks to Michelle for an inspiring month of blogging. Head over her way and see how she and other friends use social media (or write with a different prompt--no rules, except to WRITE).