Twitter chat for NZ kids - #participate #connect #collaborate

I am privileged to be writing an article for VLN Primary School on a topic very close to my heart ... KidsedchatNZ!

I have always considered myself lucky to have the opportunity to be involved in KidsedchatNZ with my class, as I have experienced the positive benefits of being involved first hand with my students. 

It is lovely to see how students have confidence and feel good about themselves, which in the end leads to them being actively engaged in their learning. That is what KidsedchatNZ offer to students!

What is KidsedchatNZ?

• KidsedchatNZ is a twitter chat between New Zealand classes and students, every Wednesday @ 2:00-3:00pm

• KidsedchatNZ questions are being posted every week by the organisers Stephen Baker, Marnel van der Spuy and John Willoughby

Why participating?

• KidsedchatNZ gives students an authentic audience to share and reflect on their learning

• Students connect with other classes (over 230 classroom accounts have been involved) and students throughout New Zealand, sharing ideas and thoughts

• Reading, writing and thinking skills develop

• KidsedchatNZ is an authentic place to learn about Digital Citizenship How to get involved?

• Create a class twitter account.

• Send @KidsedchatNZ a tweet and we will add you to the KidsedchatNZ Twitter List.

• Subscribe to the KidsedchatNZ Twitter list and follow it on the day.

• Join in the chat. You will find topics on the KidsedchatNZ Blog

• If you need any more help to get started with KidsedchatNZ, we have created a number of 'How To' videos. They can be found here: http://kidsedchatnz.blogspot.co.nz/p/how-to-join- kidsedchatnz.html

 Get involved. Your students will thank you for it. We hope to see your class there soon! Marnel van der Spuy is Assistant Principal, ICT Lead and Junior Teacher at Broadlands School