Read on Twitter
I have to rant: I’m sorry:
A thread on EduTwitter etiquette.
A thread on EduTwitter etiquette.
1. Forget about gaining followers- it doesn’t matter how many you have. Curate them carefully, build friendships and connections. Multiple thousands doesn’t automatically give you respect and gravitas.
2. Debate is a healthy thing, however, you are adults debating. Do this in an adult fashion- no ad hominems, personal comments and accusations are needed.
3. Whilst debate is healthy, if you disagree with someone and you don’t want to see any more, unfollow, mute button or in extreme cases, block.
4. If you see a resource that you don’t think is any good, scroll past. No need to comment, no need to publicly shame. You are fully aware your tweet will cause a pile on; you’re all intelligent adults.
5. Quote tweeting and sub tweeting is a little bit sly- don’t do it. See above for other options, but if you have an issue with an individual, discuss as adults over DM.
6. About 7 months ago everyone was saddened of the death of Caroline Flack and were calling for the world to #bekind Have we all suddenly forgotten that? BE KIND OR BE SILENT.
7. If you believe someone is being discriminatory, racist, sexist, anything-else ist, absolutely call them out- it needs to be stopped. But maybe do this via a dm. No need to publish it to your own followers. See also Twitter’s report button. See also: unfollow, mute, block.
8. If you’d like a copy of a resource, manners would be nice. Please, thank you, is there anything you need in return wouldn’t go amiss. If you have questions about the resource, ask the creator politely: e:g thank you for this, but do you have the sample answer you refer to?
9. Why do we have to have extremes? Trad/prog, rows/not rows/ booths/no booths. It is possible to sit on the fence or be undecided/ a bit of both. That’s ok. Just let people have their own opinions. Scroll past if you disagree.
10. If you have blocked someone, you don’t need to tell us. Stop tweeting about them, stop goading, stop the public pile ons. It doesn’t matter who you follow, or I follow. Our lives will continue unaffected- I can guarantee that.
11. If people want to buy each other gifts from Amazon, let them. If you don’t, scroll past.
12. If you think an aspect of T&L pedagogy has been misunderstood, please create a thread, resource, blog or CPD session to share your expertise- it would be welcomed. Please don’t mock or shame those who may not have fully understood it in the first place.
13. Please remember you are adults, you are also adults who educate young people. We sometimes act a bit like the teenagers we try to manage. We need to be role models, not people we will look back on and be ashamed of.
14. If you are an early year teacher and feel daunted or pressured or belittled by some larger accounts, please don’t worry and don’t be. Your ideas are as valued as anyone else’s. Please share them and speak up. For every 1 mean comment will be many more you’ve inspired.
This isn’t aimed at an individual, as frankly over the last week or so I’ve seen multiple incidents where I just think “what are you doing?” Or “that’s not very nice”
Twitter is an incredible place for education and I’d like to think I’ve made ‘friends’ here that i could go to in need and would hope they know the same.
However, please remember Twitter is an app. A social media app. If you are feeling run down, stressed or can’t seem to keep away from conflict even after blocking and muting, then delete it. Enjoy your real lives and family.
* End rant, off to make a cuppa, watch another episode of Rupaul’s Drag Race and enjoy the first day of summer holidays. *
PS: PLEASE do not use this thread as a pile on, to name names or cause more conflict. I have written this as a suggestion of how to bring back our nice Edutwitter, not to sound like Miss Perfect, as I am not her!
