20 Terrific Twitter Chats for Every Kind of Educator

by staff writers

January 29, 2012

Twitter chats are such a great way to stay connected and informed in your professional circle, and education is no exception. Through education chats, you can find out about new methods for teaching, tech resources, even jobs for teachers. Most chats are held weekly, and offer an opportunity to have a regularly scheduled conversation with like-minded educators. Check out our collection to find a wealth of Twitter chats that are great for all kinds of educators.

general

These Twitter chats cover anything and everything in education, and represent a great jumping off point for those just getting started in Twitter education chats.

1. #edchatTalk to a variety of educators around the world through #edchat, Tuesdays at noon and 7 p.m. EST.
2. #lrnchatEvery Thursday night from 8:30-10 p.m. EST, you can connect with other educators and discuss learning.
3. #edbkchatOn Wednesdays at 4 p.m. EST, you can discuss educational books and topics in learning and pedagogy.
4. #spnchatFind out about successful practices in education and education reform through #spnchat Tuesdays at 9 p.m..
5. #ptchatWednesdays at 9 p.m. EST, parents and educators around the world can open the lines of communication on #ptchat.
6. #urbanedThis Twitter chat for educators discusses topics relevant to urban education and beyond, every first and third Sunday of the month at 9 p.m. EST.
7. #teachchatConnect with other teachers and find out what they’re doing in their classrooms on #teachchat Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST.
8. #teaching2030Discuss big picture education issues, strategies, and reform through the #teaching2030 chat, every third Thursday at 8:30 p.m..
9. #smeduWednesdays at noon and 9 p.m. EST social media professionals, students, educators, and more can discuss using social media in education in this chat.
10. #ntchatNew teachers can learn more about their profession with ideas, collaboration, and more for getting starting through #ntchat on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EST.
11. #educoachWednesdays at 10 p.m. EST, you can find instructional coaching for improving education.
12. #gtchatFridays at noon and 7 p.m. EST, gifted and talented educators, administrators, parents, and students can discuss new developments in developing gifted and talented programs around the world.
13. #spedchatFollow this weekly discussion on issues for students and teachers in special education Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. EST.

administration and behavior

Check out these Twitter chats to get connected and discuss topics concerning school administrators.

14. #AcAdvTuesdays from 8-9 p.m. EST, you can talk to academic advisors and other colleagues about advising.
15. #SAChatDiscuss student affairs with other professionals in the industry Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. CST and 6-7 p.m. CST.
16. #isedchatTalk about independent schools Thursdays at 9 p.m. on #isedchat.
17. #CUADAt 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, you can discuss college unions and activities with higher education student affairs professionals and educators.
18. #cpchatConnect with other principals in this always-open chat.

subject chats

English teachers, librarians, and other educators in special subjects can check out these chats for great information and resources.

19. #engchatAt 7 p.m. each Monday, you can come together with other English teachers to discuss improving English instruction.
20. #DUedchatChat with educators Down Under in this chat each Thursday 9 p.m. New Zealand time.

Source: http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2012/01/29/20-terrific-twitter-chats-kind-educator/

13 Books to Polish Your Speaking Skills

January 30th, 2012 by Staff Writers

No matter how many times you do it, public speaking is always a little nerve-wracking. While you may not be able to ever remove all the butterflies, you can help make yourself more confident and capable when it comes to speaking to an audience, whether it's in a boardroom or in a college classroom. A combination of practice and education on public speaking may be just what you need to give you those qualities and while we can't provide the practice — that's up to you — we can provide some books that are essential reads for polishing your speaking skills. Read through this list to find amazing books on speaking, offering advice, information, and research that can help make public speaking a much less dreaded occurrence.

1. Public Speaking for Success by Dale Carnegie

   First published in 1926, this book by Dale Carnegie is one of the most widely-read and well-respected books on public speaking ever written. While updated and revised to meet the needs of modern-day public speakers, the advice at the heart of this book stands as true today as it did when it was written, more than 85 years ago.

2. The Art of Public Speaking with Connect Lucas by Stephen E. Lucas

   Often used in communications and speaking courses in college, this textbook can help anyone looking to hone their skills. Readers will find explanations of contemporary theory as well as ways these theories and ideas can be applied in real life.

3. Thank You for Arguing: What Aristotle, Lincoln, and Homer Simpson Can Teach Us About the Art of Persuasion by Jay Heinrichs

   A big part of speaking in any situation is being able to sway your listeners toward your point of view. In this book, you'll learn about the strategies employed by some of the world's most renowned speakers (Cicero and Winston Churchill, to name a couple), as well as a wealth of modern techniques you can apply to be a more persuasive speaker.

4. An Actor Prepares by Constantin Stanislavski

   A book on acting to help you with public speaking? It makes more sense than you might think. After all, no one has to do more public speaking than actors. Crack this book to learn the methods Stanislavski uses not only to act but also to emote, communicate, and be engaging on the stage and off.

5. Confessions of a Public Speaker by Scott Berkun:

   Professional speaker Scott Berkun shares his techniques for great public speaking in this must-read book, offering practical advice, engaging stories, and even a few tales of public speaking gone wrong.

6. Enchantment: The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions by Guy Kawasaki

   The best speakers know how to enchant their audiences, and in this book by business guru Guy Kawasaki you'll learn what ingredients go into creating the perfect recipe for maximum enchantment.

7. Present Your Way to the Top by David J. Dempsey

   Much of the public speaking done in the working world takes the form of presentations, but creating a great, interesting presentation can be immensely difficult. Through the lessons in this book, you'll learn ways to create memorable presentations that may just help you stand out from your peers and move up the corporate ladder (or just score an A in your class).

8. So What? How to Really Communicate What Matters to Your Audienceby Mark Magnacca

   You don't have to be in sales to take away some great communication lessons from this book. It'll show you how to make people really get what you're trying to say and hopefully convince them to care about it as much as you do.

9. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

   The best ideas in the world may fall by the wayside if you don't know how to communicate them well to others. In this book, the Heath brothers share lessons on how to make your ideas "stick" by using better communication methods and techniques.

10. World Class Speaking: The Ultimate Guide to Presenting, Marketing and Profiting Like a Champion by Craig Valentine, Mitch Meyerson and Patricia Fripp

    Offering advice on both business and public speaking, this book can help you build your speaking skills, become a better presenter, and maybe even turn both of those skills into a profitable business venture.

11. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Caldini

    This book by Robert Caldini is another amazing read on persuasion, but it takes a slightly different angle. Caldini explains the psychology behind persuasive speech, information you can use when trying to tailor your own approach to public speaking.

12. The 7 Principles of Public Speaking: Proven Methods from a PR Professional by Richard Zeoli

    Taking you through some of the fundamental principles of good public speaking, Zeoli's book aims to help you build your confidence as a speaker and maybe, just maybe, even look forward to public speaking and presenting.

13. In The SpotLight, Overcome Your Fear of Public Speaking and Performing by Janet E. Esposito

    It's incredibly common to have a fear of public speaking, but while it may be common that doesn't mean it's something you just have to live with. Find amazing lessons and advice in this book that will help you overcome your fear (or at least control it) so you can be a more confident speaker in any situation. Source: http://www.onlinecollegecourses.com/2012/01/30/13-books-to-polish-your-speaking-skills/

Boy/Girl rooms Vs Desktops!

Source: MakeUseOfGeeky Fun

Chatting With Grandma!

10 Tips for Cell Phones Before Traveling Overseas

We’ve all seen people on TV and movies casually using their cell phones as they travel to various countries around the globe. No big deal right? Not until you get your monthly statement. Post-vacation cell phone bills are the stuff nightmares are made from. Many of us are very dependent on our cell phones and can’t imagine going on vacation without them. While traveling abroad with your cell phone is totally doable, it does take some careful preparation. Here are 10 tips for cell phone users before traveling overseas.

1. Plan ahead – The most important thing to do before you travel with your cell phone is to plan ahead. You need to start working on this at least 2 weeks before you leave. It takes time to collect the information you need and make the necessary arrangements. Depending on what type of phone and calling plan you have plus what countries you’re traveling to, the steps you need to make can range from fairly simple to extremely complicated.
2. Call your provider – The first step in the process is to call your provider. It helps to check plans online and get as much information as you can first, but a thorough phone conversation needs to take place. Be sure to establish a good dialogue and get clarification on anything you don’t quite understand fully. Never assume anything or you may end up regretting it later. Don’t hesitate to ask questions even if they seem trivial or redundant. It’s impossible to ask too many questions and no question is too stupid to ask.
3. Check bandwidths – Different countries use different bandwidths and only one or two of them are compatible with bandwidths used in the United States. First you need to find out what bandwidth your phone is operating on and then check to see if it’s available in the country you’re traveling to.
4. Get phone unlocked – Most cell phones sold in the U.S. are locked so that you can’t use them with other carriers or networks. Before you travel you’ll need to get your phone unlocked to accept an overseas plan. This process can be complicated and time consuming, so this emphasizes the need for planning ahead.
5. GSM phone – If the phone you currently own is not a GSM or “world phone” you may want to consider buying one if you plan on traveling a lot. These phones have the ability to interface with both foreign and U.S. based cell phone networks.
6. Check plans carefully – In order to use your cell phone overseas, you will need to switch to an international phone plan or be faced with expensive roaming charges. Be sure to check each plan available very carefully to choose which one will work best for you at the lowest cost. The amount of calling time you’ll need along with other features will determine what plan to choose.
7. Check data plans – It’s important to realize that calling plans and data plans are two different things. You may have unlimited voice usage, but have huge roaming fees for texting and emails. Also be aware that even if your iPhone is turned off it’s constantly checking messages and downloading updates while racking up tons of roaming fees in the process.
8. Don’t switch too early – When switching to an international plan on your phone, be careful not to implement it too early. One phone call from the airport prior to departure can cost a fortune if you’ve already set you phone to work from another country. Call your provider to switch it for you at arrival date and time.
9. International charger adapter – Don’t forget that other countries have different electrical systems and the phone charger you have probably won’t work overseas. Be sure to purchase an adapter that will be compatible wherever you’re traveling or you won’t be able to charge your phone.
10. Change SIM card – Instead of changing calling plans, you may want to just get a prepaid SIM card to use while you travel. These could be less expensive than changing plans depending on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there. The downside is that you’ll lose all the contact information on your current SIM card.

It’s always a good idea to get advice from friends who travel to help you anticipate problems you may not think of on your own. Listening to their horror stories will provide you with priceless information. By learning from other’s mistakes and carefully planning ahead, you can increase your chances of having a pleasant trip with little or no cell phone hassles.

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Source: http://www.phoneservice.org/blog/2012/10-tips-for-cell-phones-before-traveling-overseas/

To Keep or Give Away $$$Billions?

How To Make Money Through Facebook!

Source: MakeUseOfGeeky Fun

Does BuSoga Need a Kyabazinga?- an Opinion

Eraire BaSoga banange?

Munsonighe okubaghandiikira mu lufuutefuute, kuba tibwenandyenze.

The question facing BuSoga today is not who will emerge the 'legitimate' Kyabazinga on October 31, 2008. Even as a bewildering number of (ridculous sounding) 'cultural' rules are being called into play in the disqualification of candidates.

We need to ask ourselves and answer key questions such as:
What is Kyabazingaship all about?

In pre- colonial times there never was such a kingdom as BuSoga. Okuba omuSoga was an identity that was embraced by people living in present day BuSoga and its eastern neighbourhood.

The myth that the late Kyabazinga Muloki disunited BaSoga is a cruel irony, noting that BaSoga have never been united as a people, nor have they ever aspired to be.

The British found our ancestors fighting amongst themselves: most ruefully aBagabula vs aBalamogi, the latter of who employed Itesot mercenaries in their ultimately fruitless venture to conquer more fertile land.

Our progenitors failed to see sense in unification to resist the marauding armies of Buganda and Bunyoro. They were not able to mount any organised resistance to slave traders who traversed our homeland from east to west at will.

Our royal families, purportedly of KiNyoro ancestry are as much a testimony of the consistent denial of our true origins as they are of our innate propensity to disunity.

Historians pieced together a coherent account of our roots from folklore, a collage of oral histories, collating this with well- researched etymology of LuSoga words and the undeniably powerful record of archaeology.

These all point to five distinct primeval settlements, namely: Ikanda, Kakolo, Kisiro, Budoola and Banda. Ikanda included Bunyala and Buruli. These were never kingdoms, or stable communities, as they freely absorbed migrants and lost disgruntled citizens.

The historical account is convincing that itinerant Luo traders, particularly the amicable but shrewd Jok- Owiny, gained control of land and established the ruling (bushbuck) dynasties of that day, namely the Ngambani and Ba Ise Ngobi. The Jok- Omolo gave rise to the Ba Ise Wakooli. The Ba Ise Igaga (millet chaff) dynasty arose as a composite of multiple origins including Baganda, Jok- Omolo and Jok- Owiny. Royalty was not only born, as the name aba Ise… connotes. I shall let historicists debate that further.

What interests me is the blindly tenacious allegiance to KiNyoro traditions, which have been fallaciously smuggled into the colonial British artefact of Kyabazingaship under the guise of cultural propriety.

Since when were BaSoga Banyoro? At what point in history did Banyoro cease their slave trade of BaSoga, or of their colonial expansion eastwards into our land to embrace our ancestors as their own kinfolk?

I really wonder where the mythical Namutukula really came from. Recorded historical accounts of Bunyoro- Kitara do not mention that name prominently. There was a Tooro prince named Nyamutukura, who actually reined in recent history. It sounds preposterous that having lived in BuSoga (with his wife, Nawudo) for at least twenty five years muzei Namutukula actually returned to Bunyoro, evidently to rein there. That fable might have sat well with Yekonia and his readers, but it will not rest easy with this generation.

Suppose that we were indeed a kingdom of Bunyoro. Should we not have loyally followed Kinyoro traditions? In Tooro, and in Bunyoro, as in their daughter kingdoms reigning monarchs were not allowed to die of natural causes. A successor was secretly named, and the queens either poisoned or strangled the ailing king. It is obvious why princes were not 'allowed' to see the corpse of the late king.

Kyabazingaship, a colonial monstrosity was revived at the insistence of own fathers upon their realisation that as a people, and as a region we had been left behind. Even back then it was evident that in socio- economic development, we were well behind Buganda during the early colonial period. Our disunity carved out a pathway of failure through the slated colonial politics and the obscurity of post- independence nationhood. Amin's robust arrival on the scene, with his imposition of Captain Nyangabyaki as our long- term governor only helped shift us a few gears into the decline mode. Obote's subsequent appointee, Okot Chono, merely steeped that slope. It was after the dashed hopes of the short- lived 'Twagala Lule' regime, with the unapproachable district commissioner, Ezekeri Kate that I first heard the bold declarations of aging BaSoga gentry to the effect that we needed a Kyabazinga. Recent history has brought us a slew of special district
administrators, appointed in Rwakitura and commissioned in Kampala, but the KiSoga slope of socio-economic decadence has only got steeper.

In the last twenty years our people have faithfully lined up in the rain and endured unwarranted floggings as they tried to vote their way back to the lit end of the tunnel, but we have little to show in real achievement.

With the accession of Muloki it was hoped that a non- political way of pulling together would be derived. That our capsized boat would lie on its back, once again, and that we would sail the waters of modernisation. As it were Muloki died too soon. I saw his throne in Bugembe, evidently crafted by the unskilled carpenters who were left behind in ghost- town Jinja, because they could not find work in Kamyokya or Bwaise.

Without an endowment or a job description what could elderly Muloki with the severe limitations of his office have done for BuSoga, besides court foreign aid agencies and solicit for investment? His words of comfort to the afflicted masses as his Pajero coursed through the dusty roads of the countyside have long been forgotten.

The incoming Kyabazinga's job ought to be cut out for him. The BaSoga need a non- political leader, a firm pillar to look up to and lean upon, a guiding light to stake their hopes on. Today's BaSoga need a warrior to fight the scourge of poverty, to rescue them from the ravages AIDS and of the myriad of curable diseases, to take them back to school. Our natural resources cry out for a true patriotic investor.

As our 'cultural' leaders ponder the credibility and merits of the prospective candidates, I would have hoped that they take a few steps back and earnestly ask themselves these questions. Having done that to selflessly adopt new 'cultural' rules that ensure that BuSoga gets a true visionary Isebantu, who will galvanise our people and their hopes in this turbulent economic climate, and put us on a road to real development.

What we have read in the press so far merely emphasizes that the slope is tipping further, and dangerously so. Some writers find it amusing to name the hands that are fumbling the scales. If there was a time for BaSoga to stand up, it would be now. Enough is enough. Enfunza n'amalole bikome! What we need today is not the pronouncement of a new Kyabazinga, but a correct and realistic definition of who we are and where we want to go. Only after that step is satisfactorily completed would we want a leader, 'royal' or not to get us there. Twelve dubious sages in rustic garb mumbling gibberish in LuNyoro cannot possibly deliver that on October 31.

Ni Dhiwotamulala Kaleebi
A cipher royal.

SOPA-PIPA