#Edtechchat focuses on Education Technology. Co-founder Tom Murray says #edtechchat "connects us professionally with inspiring educators from all over the world, all of who encourage us to be better every day for the children and families we serve.”
A3: I feel a way that we could reignite a love of school in our teachers is providing them with meaningful professional development and time to collaborate with their peers regularly. #edtechchat@jennyktechin
A3 Reignite the love of teaching by respecting the expertise of the teacher. Enter into dialogue re curriculum and professional growth #edtechchat#pushboundedu
In order to reignite a passion and enthusiasm for teaching, teachers should be given more time at the beginning of the school year establish and create a warm and inviting environment. #edtechchat@jennyktechin
A1: I am not an ambassador for any company but can see the benefits esp if they give you samples/donations so you can test out the products #edtechchat
A1- The benefits that I see are the ability to get a behind the scenes look at new features and being asked for feedback on a consistent basis. #edtechchat
A1: I am not an ambassador for an company, but benefits would be sampling the product(s), providing the company with feedback before it goes out to the public! #edtechchat
A1- I am not an ambassador for a company, but I do like the concept and learning from them. I would assume if you love the product then there is a huge benefit of getting an inside look #edtechchat
A1 Not an official ambassador, but I really try and fill that role for Extreme Networking. I have been sold on the fantastic customer support for years, and always try and tell my story. #edtechchat
A1: It depends on the program. Some are rigorous and provide benefit to the person and the district. Some are so easy that it is the equivalent of basic training on a tool. Give me the rigorous program every time! #edtechchat
A1- I'm not an ambassador but I can definitely see how having that position could help you build your network and open up the door for opportunities in the future. #edtechchat
I can see why being an Ambassador for a company could be beneficial, but I just can't stay that connected with a company ... the feeling of obligation is not something I am in to. #edtechchat
There is a difference from being a reference customer, good partner, and a beta site and being an ambassador. There is a level of pushing the product no matter what that becomes questionable. It is harder to do with hardware #edtechchat
A1: I am not an ambassador for a company, but I think that position could help with building connections and forming a network of opportunities! #edtechchat
A1: I love sharing as an ambassador about different educational resources as a teacher educator I want my preservice teachers to know what tools are available to them! @remind@seesaw@SMART_Tech@Flipgrid#edtechchat
A2. As a vendor I will say that edtech companies just like to create a space for collaboration. I’ve yet to come across one that is pushy or has negative intentions. Vendors like to have that connection to the classroom and amazing educators are the way! #edtechchat
A2- Let’sbe realalistic, they have people working for them who have to get paid. At the end of the day they want to grow their reach. That is not to say they don’t believe in their products or end users, but most have to turn a profit. #edtechchat
A2: I would think their main purpose is to sell, sell, sell! But it should be testing the product - pros? cons? how to make it better to meet the needs of the ppl using it - also building community connections - how can they help w/ those who need funding? #edtechchat
A2 - I would think they see the purpose of the ambassador program being cheerleaders for the product and customers modeling proper and exceptional use. #edtechchat
A2 I see being an ambassador as a chance to share good practice and connect with other edus around teaching and learning. Companies see ambassadors in a similar light, sharing the value of their product. #edtechchat
A2 The ambassador advocates the adoption of their product, and also gets feedback to improve the product. Trust from the company in the ambassador, and trust from the teacher community in the ambassador is important to making this work. #EdTechChat
A2: goal should always be "how will/can this support teaching and learning? Start with the learning goals first and if product fits, great, if not, move on! #edtechchat
A2: Distributing their products if not in stores, gets rid of the "see it to believe it" aspect (real people using the product not experts) #edtechchat
We are all walking the fine line. If we have products, use them, and swear by them and not at them, then we want to do our best to share them with our network #edtechchat
We can't expect corporations to be altruistic. It happens, but it's rare. We have to be careful to be a teacher first, and an ambasador second. #EdTechChat
A2: I love being a part of a pilot or beta group - trying out something and providing valuable feedback to help future educators and Ss have a better learning experience #edtechchat
The problem comes when the expectation is that if you use a product that you must become an ambassador to unlock a better relationship with the vendor no matter how much you use or like the tool #edtechchat
A2 I think it depends on whether their marketing folks have their hands into it. Ambassador programs started out as a way collaborate with their users but some companies use it as a way to use their tool more often #EdTechChat
There is a reason the rise of Ambassadorships coincide with the increased use of Social Media. Why the Kardashians get paid millions to post about a product to their followers. Positive word of mouth at almost no cost. #edtechchat
Just to push back a little, every vendor courts the classroom teacher, but almost no one goes for the people who have to support them or the curriculum leaders who have to make it work everywhere, not just with the cool teachers #edtechchat
A3: can't really speak to it but I would hope they would use the feedback to improve their product and its usability; focus group would be a good way - isn't that the point of the program?? #edtechchat
A3-From what I have seen, they do try to take it to heart and make adjustments to their products. I haven’t heard of any negative experiences, but am curious to hear from others. #edtechchat
A3: Hopefully in a positive way, considering their recommendations. Possibly making adjustments and changes to their product to what the consume wants. But I am sure there are companies that don't want feedback and just want their product out there. #edtechchat
A3 - I would hope they take the feedback seriously. I would think ambassadors would be the “power users” of a product. They would also be receiving feedback from other teachers and colleagues. #edtechchat
as far as these programs go, it makes most sense to identify your needs (gap analysis) and then try and become an ambassador of the company that can help you close that gap. #edtechchat
We can't expect corporations to be altruistic. It happens, but it's rare. We have to be careful to be a teacher first, and an ambasador second. #EdTechChat
A3: Although I have limited experience with this, I would assume/hope they use this feedback to improve upon offerings, make adjustments, etc. #edtechchat
Yes. An important aspect of product design is that listening to customers does not mean fulfilling the wishes of every customer. If 100 customers want a more readbale font, and one wants a different color selection, the greates value come from the better font. #EdTechChat
This is a big conversation and I’d love to do a chat off twitter simply because I can’t put the vendor perspective on this into tweet sizes statement (of course I can only speak for one vendor) #edtechchat
In reply to
@DrKatrinaKeene, @nathan_stevens, @RyanPersaud23
A4 I see swag as a “thank you” for being an ambassador and so excited about a product. Being involved and enthusiastic translates to the classroom and to Ss. #edtechchat
A4: As a #CTO, I want to build partnerships with vendors that are mutually beneficial, but I will not sacrifice my reputation or my schools for anything that does not directly impact learning in a positive way. #edtechchat
A4 This can be subtle. Does the company provide student facing swag? Admin facing swag? Teacher facing swag? Or something not directly #EdTech, like a tee shirt? #EdTechChat
A4: depends on the swag; could be used to support S learning but we must be careful - we are Ts first, it shouldn't be about the swag that just benefits the teacher. #edtechchat
A2: Depends on the department. Marketing and development are probably genuinely interested in the feedback. In my experience, CEOs and VPs are generally only interested in the bottom line. #edtechchat
SWAG that you can get at a trade show or filling out a survey is not what we are talking about here. It is specifically things that are of direct benefit to you or your school. #edtechchat
A4: Depending on the swag it is another way to promote the product/company, you have to ask if it really for the ambassador or the reap the benefits. It could also be a way to say thank you to the ambassador #edtechchat
A4) If you believe in the power of the product for student learning then you will share it with others. Teachers like feeling like professionals and receiving gifts from companies. #edtechchat
I got a bunch of lanyards from a company while at @FETC ... got back to school and gave them to the kids who didn't have a lanyard for their IDs. #edtechchat
A4) I'm not a big fan of swag or branding materials. It's clutter. I can't imagine that John Hattie even has studied the effect size of swag. #edtechchat
Q4: students are exposed to breadth and depth potentially and they get to troubleshoot on something that may spark an interest in future careers #edtechchat
A4- I think swag is sometimes part of the perks (when they give away cool stuff). However, its important to make sure you support a company that you believe in. It’s your reputation. Also U need to make sure U can accept swag & benefits over a $ amount. (MA has laws) #edtechchat
I struggle w/teachers doing R&D work for anything other than real money AND resources for students. I talked w/ teachers at booths at conferences who got a "free" attendance for the price of staffing the booth for a few hours. Teachers need to paid for their time. . #edtechchat
A couple of years ago I got an @ipevo while @FETC ... it is a really good product. Ended up purchasing 5 more to be used in our portable classroom because they were much cheaper and more versatile than Smartboards #edtechchat
A5: it can be a disaster if learning & pedagogy aren't at the center - it's not about the tool but the learning! How does the tool support the learning not the other way around. #edtechchat
A5 This can be a good thing because it develops more expertise on the use of the product in a real world setting. But it can also be a bad thing as it can foster focus on that tool as opposed to seeking the best tool. #EdTechChat
A5: Isn't this the classic conflict of interest question? Are they pushing the tool because it is appropriate and good, or because they are being "compensated" via reputation, SWAG, or other things? We always have to remember the optics #edtechchat
Also, one has to be careful to distinguish between what worked well in your class or school, and what will work well in someone else's class or school. #EdTechChat
A5 - If you believe in the tool, and get to know the tool, you’ll probably find some innovative ways to use it, share it on twitter, and go viral! #edtechchat
A5 I have not seen it from the teacher perspective, but I have seen first hand when an administrator does it there can be a lot of problems. Tuning out the potential benefits is just one, but I have seen it cause a lot of resentment. #edtechchat
A5: This depends on the intentions and why the educator wants to focus on the tool. Is it because it can benefit students? Or are there other reasons? #edtechchat
I struggle w/teachers doing R&D work for anything other than real money AND resources for students. I talked w/ teachers at booths at conferences who got a "free" attendance for the price of staffing the booth for a few hours. Teachers need to paid for their time. . #edtechchat
A5: Depending on the tool and how the ambassador supports the other adopters in the roll-out or PD, there can be some big cultural shifts. Lots of if's in there. #edtechchat
A5: Results can be pushing the product onto others although it might not necessarily be beneficial in all classrooms. As @ajpodchaski said could be because they are being compensated for it. #edtechchat
I ask this question because I see some educators sweat by one tool. It is the only tool I use in the classroom. What about choice? Oh no can’t have that. I have to level up on my ambassador points. You know what company I am talking about. #EdTechChat
There's a reason teachers are exempt from just about all the wage/overtime/compensation rules in states. It's because we know they work countless hours for ridiculous pay and they'll keep on doing it to help their students. #edtechchat
I feel sad after this chat. I’ve been a teacher, an admin, and now work for a company. As edus, we should be encouraging the use of #edtech in the classroom not tearing Ts down for loving a product. If they feel good about using 1 thing let them! They r excited #edtechchat
Which translates over to the classroom and to Ss. I’m sorry some of you have had bad experiences w ambassadorships. At one time I was a part of over 10. All my experiences were positive. I support Ts. If a product makes them happy in the classroom then I’m happy too. #edtechchat
A6: To me, the advisory board works much more behind the scenes giving advice to the company based on real world use. It is a much better relationship in my opinion. #edtechchat
A7 advisory board gives business or product guidance to company leadership. It’s strategic. They don’t even need to use the product. Ambassadors are boots in the ground advocates and champions - using the app because they really love it. Sharing it.
#EdTechChat
I have also had positive experiences, but I have seen some programs that make it appear like they can solve the world's problems when they really only work on a small portion. We all need to be real about expectations so we can be real for our students #edtechchat
Large companies have the resources to build relationships with educational communities that smaller companies lack. However, small businesses are arguably more innovative. https://t.co/JUrX2RLaGD#EdTechChat
In reply to
@nathan_stevens, @ajpodchaski, @EDUcre8ive
A6 - I see an advisory board as a behind the scenes team - like a steering committee at the drawing board. I think an ambassador is a front line role - the “cheerleader.” #edtechchat
1/2I don't feel like anyone is tearing someone down for loving a product. From following the chat, I got the impression that the only dings come in if you choose to push that product and don't use anything else. #edtechchat
I'm all about supporting #edtech in the classroom - my concern is when Ts use a product w/o thinking of how it can change their teaching to positively impact Ss learning, focus on learning goals based on curriculum, and closing the skills gap. :) #edtechchat
A7 An advisory board is usually made up of industry & business experts. It often makes venture capitalists happy. Their public recognition and status is important. #EdTechChat
Three of the four of us were on a panel at #TETC discussing this. Start with twitter chats like #EdTechChat and #tnEdChat. Dive deep into convos. Find a #CoffeeEdu or come to ours in Chattanooga. .... some folks do @facebook and others do @voxer
In reply to
@MissCEaton, @juliedavisEDU, @mospillman, @MickShuran, @facebook, @voxer
2/2 I say that literally never having heard of official ambassadorships with companies before. I think if it is done responsibly then there is no problem. #edtechchat
I agree - we should be encouraging the use of #edtech - and I think that is why we are all here. However, I think it’s important to represent a product for the right reasons and ensure you are an ambassador because you believe in the product. #edtechchat
I don't think anyone is tearing down Ts. But the #edtech business is a business. Ambassadorships are free marketing and PD for the companies they serve. Many large companies are making large profits while Ts across the country struggle to make ends meet. #edtechchat
Accept they see other companies paying for teachers to go to conferences or give stuff to their classroom. They see it as a way to expand their Learning possibilities for them and their students. #EdTechChat
Look for or found a local Ed or EdTech meetup. Look for or organize a local EdCamp. Look for subject related meetups too. These are all great for building relationships and ongoing PD. #EdTechChat
In reply to
@ajpodchaski, @Gregbagby, @MissCEaton, @juliedavisEDU, @mospillman, @MickShuran, @facebook, @voxer
Ok let’s end the chat on this note:
Being an ambassador can be an awesome experience. Just know what you are getting into. Do it because what you love to use and not get yourself somewhere #EdTechChat
