I had the opportunity to chat with a group of School Library Teacher students from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science on Twitter recently. These students, from various parts of Massachusetts, are all working on practicum experiences in school libraries. They meet up once a week on Twitter to support each other, compare notes, puzzle out questions of teaching in libraries, and help each other accurately document their experiences in their required binder. They use the hashtag #prakchat, for practicum chat, when they have these tweetups, as well as throughout the week to share their trials and triumphs on the front lines of their school libraries.
I was impressed by their initiative in using Twitter and the way they articulated its impact on their library school experiences. The support of colleagues is so important in library school and in the profession in general. Professional Learning Networks need not rely on proximity. A simple agreement about how to communicate can go a long way. Check out the transcripts from our two part conversation.
Part One
ErinCerulean Erin Daly
As I understand it the folks using the #prakchat hashtag are Simmons students. Are you all in Boston or are there some GSLIS West folks?
alidahanson Alida Hanson
@ErinCerulean we have one GSLIS west person #prakchat
ErinCerulean Erin Daly
@alidahanson Yay GSLIS West, that’s where I went!
alidahanson Alida Hanson
@ErinCerulean i can tell you how #prakchat started cuz I did it
alidahanson Alida Hanson
@ErinCerulean the twitter chat works for us because it’s impossible for us to get together with our busy schedules #prakchat
jendimmick Jennifer Dimmick
@alidahanson I agree! I <3 reading the stream the day after the chat time; don’t feel so left out. So helpful w/ideas & support.#prakchat
ErinCerulean Erin Daly
@alidahanson cool, you can tell me about it now and then I’ll come back and talk w/people at regular #prakchat time on Tuesday also.
alidahanson Alida Hanson
@ErinCerulean amanda bock wanted to put together a discussion group and asked for suggestions. #prakchat
alidahanson Alida Hanson
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