Social+Media

Social Media: What is it and Why Should I Care? There are probably as many definitions of Social Media as there are Social Media tools.  **Doreen Moran ** (Digital and Social Marketing Strategist) defines Social media as:

Social media is a collection of online platforms and tools that people use to share content, profiles, opinions, insights, experiences, perspectives and media itself, facilitating conversations and interactions online between groups of people.
 * **Social Media** is the platform/tools.
 * **Social Networking** is the act of connecting on social media platforms.
 * **Social Media Marketing** is how businesses (and schools) join the conversations in an authentic and transparent way to build relationships.

A resource explaining and discussing Social Media [|OpenBook: A K-12 Tech Playbook for Teachers] This is a great introduction to Social Media.

// **H** //// **ow to Videos** // //(of items explained in the Playbook)//

**Twitter (for beginners)** Twitter is one of the best professional development tools out there! Take a look at some of the videos and links below to help you in your Twitter Exploration.

Getting Started Video (Tweetdeck explained): media type="youtube" key="tDUF-qFsEno" height="315" width="560"

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[|Twitter Tutorials] [|Twitter for Teachers] [|Who to Follow in Twitter]

You can also browse [|Commoncraft] to see other very simple videos you might use for your own professional development.

**Twitter (the next level)** media type="youtube" key="P8nCl_Db-QI" height="315" width="560"

[|5 Ways to Engage Others Using Twitter] [|An Example of the Power of Professional Development using Twitter] [|Twitter for Professional Development: The Ultra-Beginners Guide] [|A-Z Dictionary of Educational Twitter Hashtags] [|Who to Follow on Twitter]

**Wikis** media type="youtube" key="-dnL00TdmLY" height="315" width="420"

Examples of Educational Wikis

**Blogs** media type="youtube" key="m14KEJSMpRg" height="315" width="560"

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A quick video about how to get started blogging: media type="youtube" key="HZEtP2RcQv0" height="315" width="420"

[|Why Students Should Blog]

Educational Blogs

**GoogleDocs** media type="youtube" key="eRqUE6IHTEA" height="315" width="420"

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Here is a useful table for determining when to use a blog, a wiki, and a googledoc: [|A Comparison Table].

**Podcasts** media type="youtube" key="eitai5SuZ3w" height="315" width="420" [|The Education Podcast Network]