Random follow #115 - @PalmyTeacher

Teachers use twitter differently than say the rest of the twitter population.  Rather than using twitter as a time filler-iner or as a way to engage in endless babble teachers use twitter to better themselves and to develop their professional qualities.  Standing in front of a class all day is awfully draining   So when teachers get home twitter is a great way to rewind, unwind and gather ideas for the next lesson.

@PalmyTeacher is exactly one of those people.  He is a teacher, a leader, a role model and an advocate for young people/  What is really cool is that he is a teacher for whom technology and the use of it in the classroom is a vital piece of his teaching style.

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What I also like is that through using technology he is finding novel ways to engage his class.  Technology or websites exist simply to exist are of no value to anyone.  The secret to a good teacher is being able to navigate through all the stuff and resources and find the ones that are really good.  Enter twitter!

If anyone had of siad 10 years ago that twitter was going to become an essential resource in the teachers toolbelt in years to come most people would have scoffed.  But here we are - and yes it is invaluable.

So what have I noticed about Stephen online?

• He is genuine.  What you see is what you get.  Simple.
• He is encouraging.  He tweets positive encouragement to people.
• He is savvy.  He also provides links to technology websites that other teachers can use for their classes.
• He has a great website.  This is where he really shares and explains his technology discoveries.  You can find it here - http://theinsandouts.co.nz/

Just a few  facts you may not yet know - he is from Palmerston North and he is a dad.  @PalmyTeacher teaches at Russell Street School and he lets his class have their very own blog.  And he is an Apple advocate (but we won't hold that against him - LOL).  And he seems to be very cool!!!

So if you are a teacher or are looking for some creative uses for the internet then I recommend Stephen as someone to follow.  Just for the record - many banks and businesses think they are at the leading edge of technology - however I beg to differ.  I think the teachers are.  So you're better off to follow them.  Just saying.