How can Twitter bring educators a fresh perspective?

Erin Miller shares how Twitter gave her a fresh perspective – and helped her fall back in love with education

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on The Guardian

I have learned so much on Twitter over the past few months, not only about classroom teaching but also about wider educational debates. Here’s why I think all teachers should join the conversation, and some tips for getting started.

Find and share resources

Whatever resource you are about to make, stop. Instead, open Twitter and explore what is already available. The chances are that another teacher will have created something that is perfect for you, and is using strategies you’ve never thought of.

The productivity and generosity of teachers on Twitter is inspiring – and I have also become more efficient in creating and sharing resources. Collaborating with online colleagues is an enlightening experience and, as teachers, we should want all students to learn, not just the ones in front of us.

Get a fresh perspective

Teachers are often portrayed as a miserable bunch, constantly striking and always angry about the latest injustice imposed on our education system – but, on Twitter, teachers of all ages and nationalities come together and they are excited about the profession, their subjects and the students they teach. 

Embrace new ideas

Teachers are a diverse group, and many of us will reject some of the prescriptive ideas instilled by PGCE training about how to be an outstanding teacher. Early in my career I had a suspicion that I liked didactic teaching, but my PGCE experience made me afraid of ‘teacher talk’. However,Twitter made me realise that I was not alone and that there are schools built on the principles of didactic teaching. Twitter has opened my eyes to the fact that there isn’t just one teaching style. I am proud to say that I’ve embraced different ideas and believe my teaching has improved as a result.

Change the conversation

With marking, meetings, parents’ evenings, administrative tasks and exam entries, teachers aren’t left with much time to discuss teaching practices with colleagues – but we want to talk about what works! On Twitter, it’s refreshing to get an outside view, away from the politics and day-to-day conversations of your own school.

How to get tweeting

• Set up a profile: most teachers seem to use their real names, but you can make your account private, so that students can’t find you.
• Select areas of interest: choose education, schools or anything else that takes your fancy.
• Add your interests: so that people with similar interests can follow you, and you can build mutually-beneficial professional relationships.
• Follow everyone to begin with, then narrow it down: Twitter will then recognise the types of people you engage with and refine its recommendations.
• Take part in discussions, read blogs and see what resources are around: teachers seem to be on Twitter and chatting on weekday evenings, and most subject areas have a specific chat period. 
• Use and follow hashtags: you can find hashtags for your subject areas and more on Twitter.
• Think before you type, and remember your Ps and Qs: remember that the veil of a screen does not mean people won’t be offended.
• Be a radiator, not a drain: don’t just take resources, share them too. The lovely education bubble on Twitter can only exist for as long as we keep sharing ideas and resources.