The relevant educator - Tom Whitby

Professional growth and social media savvy at your fingertips!

This information-packed resource from digital experts Anderson and Whitby makes it easy to build a thriving professional network using social media. Easy-to-implement ideas, essential tools, and real-life vignettes help teachers learn to:

• Find and choose the best social media tools, products, and communities


• Start and grow a collaborative, high-quality PLN using Twitter, blogging, LinkedIn, and more


• Use social media to enhance 21st Century education


• Engage in authentic personal and professional learning

Includes invaluable resources and an in-depth analysis of the social media landscape. Collaboration has never been easier with this must-have guide!

Tom Whitby has presented at many national, statewide, and local education conferences as well as Edcamps. He has contributed to the WISE Conference in Doha, Qatar, an International Education Conference, for the last two years. He served as a social media consultant for SmartBrief and a contributing Editor for SmartBlog on Education for SmartBrief.

Tom is a retired Adjunct Professor of Education at St Joseph's College in New York, having taught for 6 years. He came to that position after 34 years as a secondary English teacher in the Public School system. He was also a leader in the New York State United Teacher Locals for 30 years. He has founded a number of Educational Groups on Linkedin including Technology Using Professors Group. He has been recognized with an Edublog Award for the most Influential Educational Twitter Series, Edchat, which he founded.

Additionally, Tom hosts The Edchat Radio Show for the BAM Network, which is available as free podcasts from K-12 education at the Apple iStore. He blogs at My Island View and has contributed articles to several education journals and has been a guest blogger with contributions to The Royal Treatment and Teacher's Reboot Camp. He created the Ning site, The Educator's PLN:http://edupln.ning.com/. Follow him on Twitter @tomwhitby.

"To those educators who've felt like detached retinas in the digital age and those who love and support them: This book is the best driver's ed course for connected-learner beginners that I've seen to date. For those who've jumped in with both feet, this book provides rationale and fresh new perspectives to increase the effectiveness of your connected learning time. Steven and Tom have managed to do something rare in this space. They have built a human, understandable beginning for would-be connected educators. Hats off my friends."
Kevin Honeycutt, Consultant and Speaker

"The Relevant Educator touches on the heart of what it is to be a teacher who feels unsupported and ill-trained in our digital world. Tom Whitby and Steven Anderson offer a solution: get connected to educators online who freely share lesson plans, training materials, videos, webinars, and support 24/7. The book outlines first steps to take and provides information on free web tools and mobile apps that will introduce teachers to online communities where teachers support each other everyday. "

"This is the essential book for learning both how and why educators must connect in order truly be at the top of their game. Written by two of the most genuine and passionate educators who are practitioners as well as innovators in the educational technology space, this is a must read for all educators that is written in a fun and conversational way. The book addresses issues that are at the heart of many staff meetings and gives practical advice on how to connect, engage, and grow as a learner. A must read!"

• Flipped leadership
  
  
  



• Tools for connecting educators, parents, and communities
  
  
  



• Blogging for educators
  
  
  



• Best practices for establishing a makerspace
  
  
  



• Tools to connect and empower teachers

Finally, all of the authors are active on social media, and they regularly present at local conferences, which helps in bringing to life the contents of these books."