Periscope

This past week tons of educators flocked to Las Vegas for the Teachers Pay Teachers conference, SDE conference and the iteachK-2 conferences. Hundreds, if not thousands of teachers took over Vegas.

As I taught ESY this week here at home, I couldn't help but feel a little envious of all the cool things those educators were learning about and doing. There was tons of chatter about a new social media app called Periscope. A few teachers were using Periscope to show us live what was happening in Vegas. Which was so cool for people like myself who could not attend. 

Basically, this is a video app where someone hosts a live broadcast about a topic and followers are notified that a broadcast is happening. You can login and view the broadcast live. What's different about this video app is that people can comment and ask questions as you are broadcasting. So it's pretty interactive. If people like what you're broadcasting, they can tap the screen to show you a little love and hearts pop up.

So I joined. I was really inspired by the teachers I saw broadcasting, that I decided to turn the camera around and try it for myself. I did a little introduction and was nervous as all heck! But I did it! And I survived. I might have said a few too many "ums", but I did it.

One thing I do not like about the app is that anyone can join the broadcast. Random people popping in that are able to comment. I am sure there are privacy settings in there somewhere. I have a lot to learn about this new app for sure!

Today I had my second broadcast where I shared about my Word Work Centers for Any Word List. I just reached 100 followers on my Instagram account (@aviewintomyclassroom) and am giving this unit away to a follower.  So I pulled out all my center activities with recording sheets and went through them one by one. I got some great feedback from the people who were viewing the broadcast, which is always nice.

I can really see how this new social media app is going to bring educators together in new and different ways. Rather than sitting behind a computer screen, typing words, people are literally interacting with people live. I am excited about all the possibilites!

So you if have not joined Periscope, go do it today! Search for your favorite bloggers, watch and learn! Come follow me on this crazy journey as well!