Twitter – The invaluable tool for education professionals

Much like this blog, my twitter profile has evolved since my University days. It became less about pictures of kebabs from the night before and more about collaboration and discussion with my colleagues who have very stressful but worthwhile positions as lecturers in FE and HE. As well as this, it has become a space for professionals who are still engaged in the early years and primary sector that enables former practitioners, like myself to keep up to date with the constant changes of the sector we all hold so dear.

Twitter has become an invaluable tool for me to connect and network with professionals who work in across the education sector and discuss important issues and reflections that become relevant during our working lives. It has become a space where articles are shared so we can all benefit from keeping up to date with sector updates and changes, I would be not be as effective as I am within my role had I not had a well audienced Twitter account. This has also become a space where we can discuss teaching ideas and continue to benefit our own teaching practice, this has become more important as teaching practice continued to be policed rigorously within FE. But for me, teaching practice needs to evolve as our students needs become differentiated by generation and so I feel that I am being effective within my role as an educator who teaches both FE AND HE courses. This can be invaluable to any early career professional in the sector.

This support has become integral in knowing that ‘we are not alone’ in the extreme highs and lows of our roles as teachers. Teaching continues to be the Piñata of politicians and the press, we are victim to constant changes of priorities from people who simply do not understand what it is like to teach.  Teaching can be very isolating, particularly those with partners who do not have the pressure of working at home due to little time given during the day to mark and complete endless admin tasks during the day. Twitter is the space for empathy and discussion that is progressive and meaningful.  It is important to ensure we look out for each other, we all have the same pressures and have the platform to celebrate the ‘little wins’ that our roles present.

In the past 6 months, I have developed a small network of professionals which have become invaluable as a support mechanism as someone who, like many others, sometimes struggle with the challenges our roles present. #EYTwitterTagTeam has developed into a wonderful source of support and professional discussion (Aaron – @AaronEarlyYears, Helin – @eyce_lsc, Kelly – @KellyAckroyd, Diane – @DianeHacker12 and Emma – @EmmaDee77). Please give them a follow if you can, they are super! Also, a huge shout out to TES FE Teacher of the Year 2019 Sam Jones (@FE_Lecturer) who continues to break down doors and provide a voice for the largely underappreciated FE sector. My advice to any professional entering the sector and needing that online shoulder to lean on – join twitter, it will only improve your practice for the better and your Professional Learning Network (PLN).

Until next time, Adam out! (@aschapman91)