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What Connected Educators Do Differently by Whitaker Todd Zoul Jeffrey Casas Jimmy (2015-02-18) Paperback
Todd Whitaker, Jeffrey Zoul, and Jimmy Casas are widely acclaimed experts on teaching and leading and are pioneers in the education twitterverse, and now they are sharing their best practices! In What Connected Educators Do Differently , they show how being a connected educator―by using social media to connect with peers across the country and even across the globe―will greatly enhance your own learning and your success in a school or classroom. You’ll find out how to create a personal and professional learning network to share resources and ideas, gain support, and make an impact on others. By customizing your professional development in this way, you’ll be able to learn what you want, how you want, when you want. Best of all, you’ll become energized and inspired by all the great ideas out there and how you can contribute, benefiting both you and your students. Whether you are a teacher or school leader, you will come away from this book with step-by-step advice and fresh ideas to try immediately. Being a connected educator has never been easier or more important than it is right now!
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First published February 11, 2015
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June 24, 2019
The book What Connected Educators Do Differently was written in collaboration by Todd Whitaker, Jeffrey Zoul, and Jimmy Casas. The three authors are educators that have spent a significant portion of their careers teaching in the classroom. Dr. Todd Whi, taker in an accomplished author with over 30 books under his belt. He currently serves as a professor of educational leadership at Indiana University. Dr. Jeffrey Zoul is presently an Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning in Deerfield, Illinois. Before this title, he has had several jobs in education, including elementary, middle, and high school teachers and an adjunct professor at North Georgia College and State University. Jimmy Casas has been an administrative leader for 21 years. He holds several awards including 2012 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and the Banny Educators’ Voice Award. He is also a co-founder and co-moderator of #1Aedchat on Twitter. All three authors are active and well known in the Twitter world; together, they have over 220 thousand followers.
The book serves as a guide on how to become a connected educator, what a connected educator looks like and does. While there are several definitions as to what it means to be a connected educator, the authors all agree that “ what connected educators have in common is… a zest for life long learning.” The book is broken down into seven chapters, which are called Key Connectors. Each chapter starts with a quote that acts as a preview of what the section will be about, the quote for the first chapter is, “The best minute I spend is one I invest in people. - Kenneth Blanchard”. This quote nicely sums up the main idea of the book. The topics covered are; “Invest in a Personal and Professional Learning Network, Learn What They Want, When They Want, How They Want, Embrace the Three C’s, Give and Take, Strive to be Tomorrow...Today, Know That it is Still About the 3 R’s, Model the Way, and Know When to Unplug.” A lot of time is spent discussing the attributes of a connected educator and how a teacher can better themselves by becoming more connected. There are many examples of successfully connected educators and what they do differently. Their stories are often inspirational and make the reader want to strive to be better. At the end of each chapter, there is a portion called Follow 5, Find 5, and Take 5.
These sections are meant to guide the reader in becoming more successful in connecting with other educators around the world. Follow 5 highlights, five different educators, to follow on Twitter. These educators are particularly successful in the information discussed in that chapter. The educators give a short biography and a piece of advice. Find 5 is used to showcase five different online resources or tools the authors endorse. This section helps the reader build their PLN with educators that are very passionate and active on Twitter. These five resources correlate to the key connector from the chapter. The authors learned of these tools through their PLN and have utilized them before. Take 5 is meant to provide five steps the readers can take to increase connected educator skills. They include suggestions such as “ send out three Tweets each day for one week, sharing three resources on the same topic each day.” I found these five steps to be a challenge that forced me out of my comfort zone. The book concludes with a section titled, Connecting the Dots which walks the reader through the way each key connector is related to the other. This section also advises where one can go to learn and do more after finishing the book.
I felt the book was well written and engaging; I enjoyed my time reading through the chapters. In my opinion, it is geared towards educators that are just starting or haven’t started building an online PLN. I have not been on Twitter for long, but a lot of the information I read didn’t apply to me since I have already gained that knowledge. The authors focused on the mindset and lifestyle of a connected educator where as I was hoping to gain some tools I could put to use right away. That being said, I did appreciate the Follow 5, Find 5, and Take 5 section. This section introduced me to some fabulous educators to follow on Twitter and some great online tools to use. I would recommend this book to any educators that are hesitant to jump into Twitter and feel like they need guidance. Twitter can be overwhelming, and this book is a great place to learn the ins and outs and become more confident.
The book serves as a guide on how to become a connected educator, what a connected educator looks like and does. While there are several definitions as to what it means to be a connected educator, the authors all agree that “ what connected educators have in common is… a zest for life long learning.” The book is broken down into seven chapters, which are called Key Connectors. Each chapter starts with a quote that acts as a preview of what the section will be about, the quote for the first chapter is, “The best minute I spend is one I invest in people. - Kenneth Blanchard”. This quote nicely sums up the main idea of the book. The topics covered are; “Invest in a Personal and Professional Learning Network, Learn What They Want, When They Want, How They Want, Embrace the Three C’s, Give and Take, Strive to be Tomorrow...Today, Know That it is Still About the 3 R’s, Model the Way, and Know When to Unplug.” A lot of time is spent discussing the attributes of a connected educator and how a teacher can better themselves by becoming more connected. There are many examples of successfully connected educators and what they do differently. Their stories are often inspirational and make the reader want to strive to be better. At the end of each chapter, there is a portion called Follow 5, Find 5, and Take 5.
These sections are meant to guide the reader in becoming more successful in connecting with other educators around the world. Follow 5 highlights, five different educators, to follow on Twitter. These educators are particularly successful in the information discussed in that chapter. The educators give a short biography and a piece of advice. Find 5 is used to showcase five different online resources or tools the authors endorse. This section helps the reader build their PLN with educators that are very passionate and active on Twitter. These five resources correlate to the key connector from the chapter. The authors learned of these tools through their PLN and have utilized them before. Take 5 is meant to provide five steps the readers can take to increase connected educator skills. They include suggestions such as “ send out three Tweets each day for one week, sharing three resources on the same topic each day.” I found these five steps to be a challenge that forced me out of my comfort zone. The book concludes with a section titled, Connecting the Dots which walks the reader through the way each key connector is related to the other. This section also advises where one can go to learn and do more after finishing the book.
I felt the book was well written and engaging; I enjoyed my time reading through the chapters. In my opinion, it is geared towards educators that are just starting or haven’t started building an online PLN. I have not been on Twitter for long, but a lot of the information I read didn’t apply to me since I have already gained that knowledge. The authors focused on the mindset and lifestyle of a connected educator where as I was hoping to gain some tools I could put to use right away. That being said, I did appreciate the Follow 5, Find 5, and Take 5 section. This section introduced me to some fabulous educators to follow on Twitter and some great online tools to use. I would recommend this book to any educators that are hesitant to jump into Twitter and feel like they need guidance. Twitter can be overwhelming, and this book is a great place to learn the ins and outs and become more confident.
August 12, 2015
See my review on MiddleWeb soon.
Good book for some - okay for me at this point in my career. :)
Good book for some - okay for me at this point in my career. :)
February 28, 2019
This book explains how educators are connected globally and locally. The authors place an emphasis on the use of Twitter, but offer other ways to connect. In fact, the three authors meet via Twitter. On the other hand, they do mention that traditional ways of connecting (face to face) are just as important. They go on to explain that we need to have Personal and Professional Learning Networks (PPLNs) to grow as learners. Also, for those who are reluctant in accepting technology, they encourage them to “plant a tree” and take baby steps towards becoming digitally connected. The book covers eight essentials “connectors” in becoming Connected Educators: taking advantage of online communities, establishing networks, being a constant learner, collaborating online, assisting colleagues who are “behind”, working as active problem solvers, having access to a large “brain trust”, and in order to grow educators MUST use technology.
In the chapter involving taking advantage of online communities, we are reminded about the power of sharing knowledge. However, today teachers are equipped with the technology to connect on a grand scale. “Moreover, getting connected inspires you to expand your circle of colleagues outside of your organization to include others around the world” (p.7). The use of apps like Twitter and Facebook have personally helped me provide and receive resources that have made me a better educator.
Another connector that is emphasized is the teacher as the great collaborator. Collaboration is an integral, and now mandatory, part of education. Teachers who collaborate, and model collaboration “strive to build communities that do not exist...in which everyone in their community has a chance to be a part of something great” (p.29). There was a time not too long ago where collaboration was limited to those within an organization’s proximity. However, collaboration now can occur on a global scale.
Relationships, relationships, relationships. This is an appropriate title of one of the chapters. It forces the readers to remind themselves that relationships are vital in becoming an effective teacher. Now those relationships can expand via technology. “Educators who make the difference in the lives of students are likely the ones who have established the most positive relationships- not only with the students themselves but also with the other educators with whom they are connected within and beyond the walls of the schools they serve” (p.80). These educators actively search to form relationships online that will help them grow and ultimately benefit students.
Once teachers become connected educators, they have had the opportunity to transition to “connected “leaders”. Aren’t teachers models anyway? “By modeling the way, teachers and leaders encourage those who they teach and lead to behave according to shared values so they can achieve a shared vision for excellence “ (p.98).
It’s the classic “actions speak louder than our words” approach to modeling. We must constantly look for ways to impact others around us.
The tone of the of the book is one of encouragement and resourcefulness. The authors continually remind the reader, whether novice or advanced, that teachers tend to have a communal, “pay it forward” mindset and the use of social media can be an excellent tool to expand those traits. One element of the book that is very resourceful is at the end of every chapter there is a “Follow 5, Find 5, Take 5” section. The authors list five teachers that readers can connect with on social media. It also presents five resources that teachers can use. The structure of the book is very practical and sequential which makes it easy for the reader to follow. What I especially enjoyed was the authors’ attempt to confront teacher resistance to technology and social media as a tool for progress.
It’s fitting that the three authors of the book met on Twitter. After connecting, sharing, and collaborating they decided to write a book on how to become “connected educators”. Dr. Todd Whitaker is a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University who has written over 30 books on teacher and administrative leadership. Dr. Jefferey Zoul is currently Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Deerfield Public School District in Illinois. He has written several books and received the Bammy Educator’s Voice Award as the School Business Official of the Year in 2014. Jim Casas is in his 23rd year in administrative leadership. In 2012 he was named the Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and the 2013 National Secondary Principal of the Year. Each coauthor has a clear understanding of what is like to be a connected educator. Through social media, they have connected and provided their readers with a practical path to follow that connection.
In the chapter involving taking advantage of online communities, we are reminded about the power of sharing knowledge. However, today teachers are equipped with the technology to connect on a grand scale. “Moreover, getting connected inspires you to expand your circle of colleagues outside of your organization to include others around the world” (p.7). The use of apps like Twitter and Facebook have personally helped me provide and receive resources that have made me a better educator.
Another connector that is emphasized is the teacher as the great collaborator. Collaboration is an integral, and now mandatory, part of education. Teachers who collaborate, and model collaboration “strive to build communities that do not exist...in which everyone in their community has a chance to be a part of something great” (p.29). There was a time not too long ago where collaboration was limited to those within an organization’s proximity. However, collaboration now can occur on a global scale.
Relationships, relationships, relationships. This is an appropriate title of one of the chapters. It forces the readers to remind themselves that relationships are vital in becoming an effective teacher. Now those relationships can expand via technology. “Educators who make the difference in the lives of students are likely the ones who have established the most positive relationships- not only with the students themselves but also with the other educators with whom they are connected within and beyond the walls of the schools they serve” (p.80). These educators actively search to form relationships online that will help them grow and ultimately benefit students.
Once teachers become connected educators, they have had the opportunity to transition to “connected “leaders”. Aren’t teachers models anyway? “By modeling the way, teachers and leaders encourage those who they teach and lead to behave according to shared values so they can achieve a shared vision for excellence “ (p.98).
It’s the classic “actions speak louder than our words” approach to modeling. We must constantly look for ways to impact others around us.
The tone of the of the book is one of encouragement and resourcefulness. The authors continually remind the reader, whether novice or advanced, that teachers tend to have a communal, “pay it forward” mindset and the use of social media can be an excellent tool to expand those traits. One element of the book that is very resourceful is at the end of every chapter there is a “Follow 5, Find 5, Take 5” section. The authors list five teachers that readers can connect with on social media. It also presents five resources that teachers can use. The structure of the book is very practical and sequential which makes it easy for the reader to follow. What I especially enjoyed was the authors’ attempt to confront teacher resistance to technology and social media as a tool for progress.
It’s fitting that the three authors of the book met on Twitter. After connecting, sharing, and collaborating they decided to write a book on how to become “connected educators”. Dr. Todd Whitaker is a professor of educational leadership at Indiana State University who has written over 30 books on teacher and administrative leadership. Dr. Jefferey Zoul is currently Superintendent of Teaching and Learning at Deerfield Public School District in Illinois. He has written several books and received the Bammy Educator’s Voice Award as the School Business Official of the Year in 2014. Jim Casas is in his 23rd year in administrative leadership. In 2012 he was named the Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year and the 2013 National Secondary Principal of the Year. Each coauthor has a clear understanding of what is like to be a connected educator. Through social media, they have connected and provided their readers with a practical path to follow that connection.
June 19, 2019
I quite enjoy having been able to read this book, and this will definitely be something I will hold onto for the rest of my career as an educator. I find that it provides readers with various opportunities to explore online networking for teachers and even includes various people you can look further into in order to be connected. There is a variety of advice the book provides that are very relate-able in today's and age as a teacher, and even for someone like myself, a future educator, who has yet to have my first experience as a full-time teacher, I found that many of the things discussed in the book were things that I found so common to how I live my life, and why teaching became my passion. Teaching is not an easy road, and it sure comes with its challenges, but being able to find the kind of support from this book is extraordinary! There are various ways implemented by authors, Whitaker, Zoul and Casas, who explain what kinds of techniques make you a much connected educator. It's not something you can take a course on or be certified to become. Instead, it guides you into a positive mindset and outlook on what you are as an educator and what you can do! Implementing a teaching life with technology is one thing, but being able to build a community with other educators, build on a sense of collaboration and finding a way to balance all of the duties of an educator as well as maintaining your personal values and growth is so important to consider as a connected educator. I would highly suggest this book for any educator or even those who may be considering what being a teacher is like. It really opened my eyes to what more I can do to be a successful educator, and hopefully this book will be something I will continue and constantly look back to, in the future.
June 29, 2019
While a valuable commentary on what the powers of the internet can mean for education in general and teachers in particular, this book read a bit too much like a workshop presentation and as a result was some what repetitive and less engaging than it might have been.
It takes also drifted into areas such as unplugging and multi-tasking issues which seemed a bit farther afield than it needed to go and into places where research is still a bit more anecdotal.
Good tips abound as do good links. No real advice for teachers who are involved in online connectedness in their schools and yet under-valued by the luddites where they work. It seems strange that over 3 decades into the tech age and we are STILL having to urge teachers to dive into the social media that could be so useful. Does an entire generation of tech-phobic dinosaurs have to become extinct for schools to insist that teachers lead the way?? Sadly, this could be true to a certain degree.
It takes also drifted into areas such as unplugging and multi-tasking issues which seemed a bit farther afield than it needed to go and into places where research is still a bit more anecdotal.
Good tips abound as do good links. No real advice for teachers who are involved in online connectedness in their schools and yet under-valued by the luddites where they work. It seems strange that over 3 decades into the tech age and we are STILL having to urge teachers to dive into the social media that could be so useful. Does an entire generation of tech-phobic dinosaurs have to become extinct for schools to insist that teachers lead the way?? Sadly, this could be true to a certain degree.
September 23, 2017
"Everyone has the capacity to lead, but every effective educator knows that no matter how willing and able they are to lead the way, they cannot do it alone;"
I purchased this book to prepare me for an upcoming conference and as you know with education conferences some are good and some are okay. Well if this book is any indication of how wonderfully inspiring this conference will be, I can hardly wait! A concise read that empowers every educator to become connected and surround yourself with your own personal learning network! Great work! Keep inspiring teachers!!
I purchased this book to prepare me for an upcoming conference and as you know with education conferences some are good and some are okay. Well if this book is any indication of how wonderfully inspiring this conference will be, I can hardly wait! A concise read that empowers every educator to become connected and surround yourself with your own personal learning network! Great work! Keep inspiring teachers!!
October 15, 2016
Being connected is something I believe has helped me succeed. Being connected and "working out loud" is something that the Association for Talent Development advocates and I have taken to heart. Naturally, I am always looking for ideas to help improve what I am doing as well as ideas to share with other educators. The book,
What Connected Educators Do Differently
*, has helped to validate what I am doing and provided me with new ideas. Read more
*, has helped to validate what I am doing and provided me with new ideas. Read more
November 17, 2019
The authors of "What Connected Educators Do Differently" have written a user friendly guide that will provide relevant advice for educators who plan to connect in today's digital world.
They emphasize "Follow 5, Find 5, Take 5" as the jump off point to get started. In particular, they summarize the gist of each one, so the educator could make an informed decision.
Surprisingly, they advocate taking time off from always being connected and the benefits of such a move.
Overall, it's an extremely useful resource.
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
They emphasize "Follow 5, Find 5, Take 5" as the jump off point to get started. In particular, they summarize the gist of each one, so the educator could make an informed decision.
Surprisingly, they advocate taking time off from always being connected and the benefits of such a move.
Overall, it's an extremely useful resource.
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
June 17, 2015
I picked this up in preparation for a class I am teaching about developing and growing a professional learning network. What a great companion book! It is a very fast read with lots of great nuggets of advice. This would make a great book study for PLCs no matter where individual teachers are on their own learning journey. Extremely positive and very inspiring while pragmatic.
November 4, 2015
A great validation for many of my practices as a connected educator. However, it still provided many great resources, ideas, and connections that I can add to my practice and Personal Learning Network (PLN).
Read
July 17, 2015Helped me gain confidence toward being a connected educator.
September 4, 2015
I won this on a good reads giveaway
I thought this was a good way to sharpen my teaching strategies. This is my first year in a permanent position so this book will come in handy
I thought this was a good way to sharpen my teaching strategies. This is my first year in a permanent position so this book will come in handy
April 1, 2016
Good read for educators if you haven't really gotten into Twitter and PLNs. It could have been condensed! I felt like the same things were being said in different ways just to fill pages sometimes.
March 2, 2016
This book is a perfect follow-up to my recent NASSP conference. Tremendous advice for school administrators, wherever you may be in your leadership career.
July 5, 2016
Very informative with lots of useful information!
June 2, 2016
Great Edtech resource! Great "how-to" suggestions,
June 20, 2016
A must read for all educators!
June 30, 2015
Inspiring
February 5, 2016
I love being pushed out of my comfort zone!
April 25, 2017
Inspired me to use Twitter professionally!
March 2, 2019
This book was filled with insightful wisdom, practical advice, and logical reasons for becoming a connected educator. Technology is transforming education. Being a connected educator through social media platforms, makes available to you unlimited resources, support, and help to make you better tomorrow than you are today. A connected educator is better able to keep up with and stay in tune with all the changes taking place. In order to lead and teach our students 21st century learning skills, we have to first learn ourselves.
I found this book to be an easy enjoyable read and a great resource. The three author collectively share almost 90 years of experience in teaching, serving as administrators, and as learners themselves. The tone of the book was conversational as if the authors were sitting alongside you coaching and advising in your growth, development, and continuance in education. The authors share the attitude, "If we can do it you can too" with their readers noting their own apprehensions as they branched out and became connected the first time.
Some themes in the book include: Failure is not something to fear but to embrace, Together we are smarter and better able to overcome obstacles and meet the challenges ahead, Creating, building, and maintaining relationships is key to effectiveness, Communication - Collaboration - and Community are important elements in being a connected educator.
I found this book to be an easy enjoyable read and a great resource. The three author collectively share almost 90 years of experience in teaching, serving as administrators, and as learners themselves. The tone of the book was conversational as if the authors were sitting alongside you coaching and advising in your growth, development, and continuance in education. The authors share the attitude, "If we can do it you can too" with their readers noting their own apprehensions as they branched out and became connected the first time.
Some themes in the book include: Failure is not something to fear but to embrace, Together we are smarter and better able to overcome obstacles and meet the challenges ahead, Creating, building, and maintaining relationships is key to effectiveness, Communication - Collaboration - and Community are important elements in being a connected educator.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews