I spent last week in Austin, Texas at the TCEA15 Conference. While I was not a big fan of the conference format – specifically the premium registration/pre-registration, I did collect some good resources via my notes and favoriting the tweets of others. Since many of my colleagues and Twitter peers could not attend, I have decided to post these resources so you can have access to them.

Here are the notes that I took from the sessions I attended:

• Leading Innovative Change
• ePortfolios
• Tech Ninjas
• Corinne Hoisington
• Digital Footprint – I spent more time tweeting than note taking
• Google Sites
• Google Tips, Tricks, and Scripts
• Reimagine Assessment in the Digital Age – I spent more time participating than note taking plus they provided a URL for the presentation
• Developing Online Professional Development
• PBL with a Global Focus

In addition to my notes, I favorite almost 100 tweets of information that I thought would be useful later. I have combined the information from those tweets into five separate notes. PLEASE NOTE: I tried to attribute resources to the original presenter, but in many cases, I attributed to the person of whose tweet I favorited. If there is a correction, please let me know and I will correct it.

• Apps, Extensions, Websites from TCEA
• PBL from TCEA
• Google Sources from TCEA
• Videos from TCEA
• Misc. Presentations, and Stuff from TCEA

This past week saw another class from Southwest CTA graduate. I have a long-standing policy that I will not be “friends” with students on Facebook until after they graduate. While they are now my former students, I am still teaching them a lesson and maybe a harsh one – Just because you graduated, it doesn’t mean I will automatically click accept on the friend request. Of the requests I have received from former students this year, I have accepted 2 of 16.

To me, the use of social media is like branding and I generally tend to follow my brand. Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn represent my professional brand. I rarely post personal information on any of them unless I am in a conversation with someone. My Facebook account represents my personal life. I rarely post education or work stuff there unless I’m bragging about my school or students.

I try to keep my personal life private to my friends and family and my brand, even though personal, needs protecting. Being a former student and graduating isn’t enough to enter this circle. It takes complete trust and that is hard to give to an 18 year old who I only know from classroom interactions. In simplest terms, the former students who I’m friends with on Facebook, are not sharing and wouldn’t share information I post on Facebook with other former or even current students. They help protect my brand.

I often joke with my students that I am not their friend because their parents don’t pay enough in taxes for me to be their friend. I am their teacher and mentor not their buddy to hang out with. The best way for me to continue to assist and mentor them is through LinkedIn. Regardless of how much I liked or liked a little less than others, I will accept every LinkedIn connection request. Every student has a talent and the easiest way for me to continue to connect them with community partners, internship opportunities, or job openings is through LinkedIn.

The final message that I want to leave my students is this – a friend is someone who can and will help and support you in a time of need. The best way for me to help and support you as a friend is to connect through LinkedIn and not Facebook.