Onionskin

Most Twitter users casually refer to this tool as a “social networking tool,” but by-and-large, the connotation within my PLN is that we connect with other educational technologists in a chatroom-like environment that mimics a social gathering at times.

In fact, if and when we actually meet some of these people at an ed tech conference, big smiles and hugs are the standard greeting — amongst people who have never been in the same room in reality.

Recently, a small informal group of us “introduced” our children via a smaller and carefully controlled Twitter group. Exchanges between the Twitter-8s has been choppy and sporadic, largely due to the busy schedules of the parents. But the kids have pursued the interest, often bumping parents off the computer “for just a few minutes” so they can tweet their virtual “friends”.

Yesterday, warm weather and an ease-up in schedule allowed the first scheduled F2F (face-to-face) meeting of a couple of these kids. The boys had a grand time riding bikes and scooters, flying kites (well, trying), feeding ducks and geese. As will happen with boys, each ended up with a minor scrape or bruise, but they are looking forward to seeing each other again.

All of the Twitter-8s were invited, but you know how weekend activities tend to swallow up the free time. Disappointment was evident in the responses of those who couldn’t make it this time. We’re hoping to get the others to join us for future gatherings. After all, this is all about social networking!