Introducing Our Own Social Mediatician - Mike Sansone

Last year, I didn't know what a blog was - I thought it was a term from a Tolkien novel.

In the past eight months of working closely with Social Media guru, Mike Sansone, I have learned a whole new language exists, and a new world of learning opportunity has opened.

With excitement and honor, I'd like to introduce Mike as part of the Maiers Educational Services team (he'll be our Social Mediatician). By adding Mike's experience and expertise, we'll be offering workshops to schools and teachers in how to use these tools rather than ban them.

Several reasons this is so important:

• Our students are already using these tools away from the classroom. They are aching to co-create and collaborate with their peers
• Tools such as Blogs, Wikis, Facebook, LinkedIn and VisualCV are becoming so widely used, they may be a necessary component of our students lives as they reach the working world.
• If these tools are going to stick around (and they are), isn't it better to teach and train how to use them properly?

Not only does Mike share our passion for education and students, but our teaching styles are similar (we even use the same model of computer -- but I have better shoes!). We've already seen successes come out of the workshops we've held in tandem.

Mike will also continue in his role at ConverStations, working with businesses to engage in conversations with customers. Together, we'll be holding social media workshops, developing interactive learning environments (ILEs) and even doing some podcasting.

Feel free to contact Mike with questions about all things social media by email: mike@angelamaiers.com

Comments

[mack collier]

Wow congrats Mike and Angela, this sounds like a win-win for everyone. Great to see that Mike will get to show educators the power of social media as a learning tool!

[Angela Maiers]

Mack- I could not agree more. I want my teachers to learn and grow from all that Mike can share. I feel so lucky to have been his student, so I know first hand the potential and influence he can have in the education world! Exciting stuff-thanks for the well wishes!

[Mike Sansone]

> Hey Mack - thanks for the encouragement. You're right, win-win is what we hope for, especially the teachers and students, yeah?

> And Angela...thanks for the opportunity -- and the foresight to see the need to bring these tools inside the classroom walls, so that we may in turn safely eliminate those walls when desired.

[Michael]

Hi Angela,
Very interesting post on a couple of levels. First, one of my best friends in primary school was called Mike Sansone. Your Mike Sansone is not the same person but still, the name caught my eye.
Second, I too am new to blogs and social networking- looks like you're a quicker learner than me. I have no doubt that you are absolutely right about incorporating social media into American curricula. What you say is probably relevant to Canada, and European countries too.
In Japan, Native English speaking teachers are introducing blogs and other web applications, mostly at the university level, but I think it'll be a long time before social media are standard in the average Japanese classroom.
In a way it's ironic because networking is so important in Japanese society, but it's mostly done face-to-face.
It's going to be interesting to see how things evolve.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll be back to visit yours soon.
Cheers!

[Ginger Johnson]

Congratulations - I'd be jealous if I didn't already love you both! What a fabulous fit - and lucky me to know AND get to work with both of you. Cheers! gcj

[Angela Maiers]

Michael, two Mike Sansone's in this world-how interesting! I find it somewhat surprising that social media is not more common in Japans Elementary classrooms. I thought it was just the USA that was behind the times! I am trilled that I have discovered your blog, and look forward to the continual learning these connections bring! Thanks for stopping by!

[Angela Maiers]

Ginger, Ginger! It is "we" who are lucky to know you! I am so looking forward to what we all are able to accomplish. My motto-WE ARE SMARTER TOGETHER-right?