All about that Twitter life.

            I have always been a fan of social media.  Before this class, I did have a presence on social media, but I focused more on Facebook and Instagram, as I mainly utilized them both for fun.  To be perfectly honest, over the last decade my interest in social media has waned considerably.  I feel that many of us have lost sight of the reason social media was created for in the first place.  I do not think most people understand the principles of social etiquette anymore, or they simply do not have any interest in conducting themselves accordingly online. 

            I believe society has become more concerned with tearing each other down than supporting each other.  Some of the subject matter that I typically see being posted on social media seems to be hateful or inappropriate in nature.  That is not to say that social media is not an excellent resource.  I still believe all social media platforms are great ways for people to connect with each other and share their life experiences.  Social media, as we all know, is also an effective tool for networking. 

            I have had a Twitter account for some time now, but I had never used it as a means of networking in any form.  I was not hesitant to engage others through Twitter, but I felt somewhat unsure of myself, specifically when it came to navigating everything Twitter had to offer.  There is so much that goes into a social media platform, that it can feel slightly overwhelming, especially if you are someone who is not particularly computer friendly.  Personally, I am pretty familiar with technology, so that was not the issue for me.  For me, the only issue, if you would call it that, was getting accustomed to the dynamic of Twitter versus Facebook and Instagram. 

            I recently participated in my first Twitter chat.  My first chat focused on physical activity within an educator’s specific field.  The atmosphere throughout the entire chat was a very relaxed one.  I did not feel uncomfortable or out of my element at any point.  I honestly thought that it was going to be more complicated than it actually was.  It was very simple to navigate.  I really enjoyed myself and felt a great sense of comradery during this chat.  I am more inclined to participate in future chats!  

            Now that I have invested some time in revamping my Twitter account and creating more of a professional learning network, I find myself becoming more involved than I ever thought I would be.  I look forward to all the new and exciting news that my feed will be full of every time I log in.  I love how supportive strangers are with each other, especially when it comes to giving advice.  There are so many wonderful resources on Twitter, I have a hard time understanding why anyone would not want to take advantage of them all.  Looking at Twitter from a different perspective has truly given me a different perspective about social media, as well as my future as an educator.