I was recently working on another project and accidentally came across an old newsletter of mine. Back in 2018 I started a little newsletter to act as a digest for the #akedchat weekly meetups on Twitter that started back in 2015 (and are still meeting). #Akedchat was a project that came about in an ad hoc gathering during ASTE, up in Tower 1 of the Captain Cook Hotel in downtown Anchorage circa 2011. A group of about ten ASTE members talked about how there needed to be a platform for teachers to share ideas, develop professional standards in technology, and otherwise collaborate in an ongoing way.
Here is a vision statement that I wrote down after the meeting to articulate what we all saw that was needed.
Here is a vision statement that I wrote down after the meeting to articulate what we all saw that was needed.
This is a supportive community for Alaskan education practitioners. This is a public forum for talking about tools, curriculum, delivery models, and workflows – what has worked for you, and what hasn't.
I launched the original project on the Google+ platform around 2012. At the time, Google+ was growing and developing, but it started to feel like the platform was going to fail pretty early on to me. In 2015, I renamed the project #akedchat, moved it to Twitter, created a Google Sheet to get us organized, and we started meeting every Monday during the school year. It's been going ever since.
In 2018, we started to experience the limitations of the Twitter platform and the limitations of holding synchronous meetings online. To help address these issues I created a newsletter. Why not, right? I adjusted the vision a bit to accommodate the new project.
In 2018, we started to experience the limitations of the Twitter platform and the limitations of holding synchronous meetings online. To help address these issues I created a newsletter. Why not, right? I adjusted the vision a bit to accommodate the new project.
#AKedchat is a supportive community for Alaskan education practitioners. This is a newsletter companion to the weekly Twitter chat that's been going since 2015.
Below are copies of the original "Discussed" newsletter from back in 2018. It's interesting to look back.
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Sent on 3/21/18
#AKedchat Digest No. 1
This newsletter is small and you're a part of it because I'm interested in what you have to say. Feel free to reply to this and we can keep the discussion going. -Damon
March 19th Chat, one quick takeaway
@HJohnsonOMS visited us on #AKedchat this week. She's from St. Louis, and stumbled upon our chat while we were live. Reach out to her and say hello. She mentioned a great activity, https://www.breakoutedu.com that seems like a great "platform" to build upon. The site also has a bunch of activities that could be modified to your own needs. I want to do this with my own kids!
A7: The Ss voted and chose a breakout box as a kind of reward. It will be a #criticalthinking celebration. They're so much fun! @breakoutEDU #akedchat— Hannah Johnson (@HJohnsonOMS)
P.S.
Teacher residency program in St. Louis attempts to solve the teacher turnover issue. Could something similar work in Alaska's districts?
Here's a Twitter hashtag to follow, #ballerteachers.
I attended a panel discussion at #sxswedu this year that discussed the ethics of teachers who receive money from corporations for work related to their jobs. (The panelists all use that hashtag.) Would you accept gifts or compensation from Google to "test or pilot" Google Classroom with your students? Would you let a vendor take you out to lunch? Would you let a vendor fly you to Hawaii? Would you accept being "endorsed" by a company? Would you accept paid sponsorship from a company? What's the difference between professional athletes accepting sponsorship and teachers? What if they offered you a Gig? Here's an EdSurge writeup articulating the discussion.
Also, I wrote an article, check it out.
Here's a Twitter hashtag to follow, #ballerteachers.
I attended a panel discussion at #sxswedu this year that discussed the ethics of teachers who receive money from corporations for work related to their jobs. (The panelists all use that hashtag.) Would you accept gifts or compensation from Google to "test or pilot" Google Classroom with your students? Would you let a vendor take you out to lunch? Would you let a vendor fly you to Hawaii? Would you accept being "endorsed" by a company? Would you accept paid sponsorship from a company? What's the difference between professional athletes accepting sponsorship and teachers? What if they offered you a Gig? Here's an EdSurge writeup articulating the discussion.
Also, I wrote an article, check it out.
Bandwidth Bridge to the Last Frontier: Internet access increases educational opportunities. Here’s how to get your students online—no matter where you are. via @damonhargraves https://t.co/yTAowptO3x#PrincipalMag pic.twitter.com/lUxhoCkKHA— NAESP (@NAESP) March 17, 2018
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Sent on 4/4/18
#AKedchat Digest No. 2
March 26th & April 2nd Chats, quick takeaways
Flipgrid looks interesting. This is a new one for me, and looks to be part Instagram and part Snapchat for use in the classroom and for parent communication. Do you use Flipgrid? If so, how are you using it and how is it working for you?
A4 I Love discussion and academic conversation! I use “speed dating” style discussion and @Flipgrid to get student voices out! Both are great to hear personal reflections! #AKEDCHAT— Ryan Jolivette (@MrRJolivette)
A5: Not all students can handle a free inquiry environment. I liked this article on #inquiry as it explains the types (or levels) of inquiry to keep students connected to learning. #AKEdChat https://t.co/bJKiZAk2sT— Sarah Petersen (@SyrahPetersen)
A6: We need to encourage students to choose career pathways that work for them. #STEM careers are more than engineering degrees! There are many STEM related fields in trade work. #AKEdChathttps://t.co/Q6z85FOdwo https://t.co/jpwfVrfbEg— Sarah Petersen (@SyrahPetersen)
March 27, 2018
Skype a Scientist This is something that I keep hearing about that is highly recommended. I'm facilitating a session for the first time here in Kodiak.
Skype a Scientist This is something that I keep hearing about that is highly recommended. I'm facilitating a session for the first time here in Kodiak.
A6: Definitely involve members of community to come and speak to class or assembly. https://t.co/wp90SfUZPM is also great way to engage. @ASD_STEM #akedchat— Anya Toole (@AnyaToole)
March 27, 2018
Frickin' Packets, we've all been there, but let's be real, packets and worksheets are just a mode of teaching and can be perfectly acceptable and desirable in many cases. What really makes packets and worksheets undesirable? Where is that line that we never want to cross?
Frickin' Packets, we've all been there, but let's be real, packets and worksheets are just a mode of teaching and can be perfectly acceptable and desirable in many cases. What really makes packets and worksheets undesirable? Where is that line that we never want to cross?
This should be shared far and wide. #akedchat #aklearns https://t.co/1CqQt8YLIn— L. Wright-Elson NBCT (@lwrightelson)
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Sent on 4/24/18
#AKedchat Digest No. 3
April 9th - 23rd Quick Takeaways
Our buddy Luke Meinert is starting up Esports in Alaska. Go Luke Go!!! I can't wait to see how this works and grows across the state. The closest thing I experienced to this in high school was a social studies class that used the game SimCity 2000 to teach about government, economics, etc. I will say that there was a lot of unofficial competition going on, and it was good for the learning. On a side note, the SimCity 2000 manual was a work of technical writing art. Go back and look at it. I remember reading through it like it was a textbook and spending time studying it. It's no wonder, author Michael Bremer is apparently a genius.
Find the latest information on esports for Alaska high school students at https://t.co/FRLu9kzxPkInterested students, teachers, and admin's can signup to learn more are https://t.co/mNwcvrDXun! @officialEGF #akedchat @JDBlackburn @barnesdanielk— Luke Meinert (@lmeinert)
April 19, 2018
#AKedchat guest facilitator Danny Bauer has a podcast. Check it out.
#AKedchat guest facilitator Danny Bauer has a podcast. Check it out.
Listeners of my podcast: https://t.co/iEZT2PCisw or on @ApplePodcasts https://t.co/7g9SSmAptt#AKedchat— Danny Sunshine Bauer (@alienearbud)
Visit https://t.co/m98DA40v3a to apply! Alaska’s hiring season is already in Full swing #akedchat— Spiral Education (@spiralEDU)
April 17, 2018
Dr. Orr shared an awesome introduction to Twitter Chats. This is a great resource to share with friends and colleagues when introducing them to Twitter.
Dr. Orr shared an awesome introduction to Twitter Chats. This is a great resource to share with friends and colleagues when introducing them to Twitter.
Are you a newbie like me? Check out this website for tips! https://t.co/0WD5A8KOig#AKEDCHAT— Dr. Courtney Orr (@EducateOrr)
What an awesome project, worth a read, and follow everyone mentioned!
I challenged myself to read all the tweets that came from Alaskan Educators for a year...
My heart is full of joy and hope from all the incredible things that they shared! https://t.co/FkDUIwD2sC#tlap #leadlap #culturize #akedchat pic.twitter.com/xpttyS5ktA— Spiral Education (@spiralEDU) April 19, 2018