What’s you’re social media personality?

Exchange magazine published an article in the January/February, 2011 edition titled, “What’s you’re social media personality?” written by early childhood professionals, Fran Simon and Chip Donohue PhD.  In order to actually read this article you would need a subscription to the magazine so I will give you just a few of the highlights…

Fran and Chip identify 5 “social media personality” types:

  1. The resistor
  2. The intimidated
  3. The personal user
  4. The tester
  5. The expert

For each of these personalities, Fran and Chip provide a wonderful description of each personality type and what challenges are ahead for each personality type and how to move from being a resistant social media user to a confident social media user.

Then Fran and Chip offer up different examples of social media sites that you can use to build a solid social network for your early childhood program and how each site is different. They give examples and information on these recommended sites – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube – depending on your professional social networking goals and needs. In addition they offer up smart do’s and don’ts when it comes to using social networking sites.

Now for one of the best parts of the entire article..

In the middle of the article, Fran and Chip provide three examples of early childhood focused organizations that do a good job working with social media and guess who is number 3 on that list?  Yep, you guessed it – Teach Preschool!!!  Is that the coolest thing ever or what?

Want to learn more from the experts?

I was fortunate to have met Fran Simon through Twitter when I first started Teach Preschool. She is truly invested in building a strong early childhood education network. I know that she would love for you to hook up with her too!  I borrowed the bios below from the article in Exchange magazine...

– Go and meet Fran Simon!

Fran Simon is the Chief Engagement Officer of Engagement Strategies, LLC, her own national marketing, social media and early education publishing consulting company. She has been a professional Early Childhood educator and a passionate technologist since 1981. Early in her career as a multi-site child care administrator, she learned that her ability to use technology to accomplish her goals was one of the most powerful skills in her administrative toolkit.  Fran also used those skills in her positions at Teaching Strategies, Inc., the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, and as a Board Member and Vice President of the Technology and Young Children Interest Forum of NAEYC.

Fran on twitter…. Fran on Facebook…  Fran’s blog!

– Chip Donohue, PhD!

Chip Donohue, PhD, is the Director of Distance Learning at Erikson Institute in Chicago and a Senior Fellow of the Fred  Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media. He is a leader in the innovative use of technology and distance learning methods to increase access, create pathways, enhance learning, and improve teaching practices in early childhood education. He spends lots of time playing with new technology tools to enable relationships and build learning communities online.

Deborah J Stewart

Deborah J Stewart

Every time I think I know everything I need to know about teaching young children, God says, "Hold on a minute!" and gives me a new challenge.

Let me tell ya...

With each new challenge that you overcome, you will find yourself better equipped and more passionate about teaching young children.

God didn't call wimps to lead, teach, or care for His children. Nope, he has high expectations, so get ready. You will have to give your very best but after teaching for over 30 years, I can tell you that it is a wonderful and rewarding journey.

Whenever your calling feels hard, just remember, 'He who began a good work in you (and in the children you serve) will be faithful to complete it.'

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