Conversation: Anytime -- Anywhere

I know what you are thinking, I don't have time.  That is what I first thought when I downloaded the Voxer app last spring.  The reason I decided to down load the app was because there was a cool and different type of a Twitter chat that my wife shared with me.  The chat was #LeadUpChat and it was really starting to take off in the educational twitter chat world.  At the end of my first #LeadUpChat one of the last tweets said the last question would be posted on @Voxer to continue the conversation.  I was intrigued.  

During the first few weeks I was really trying to figure things out and I was struggling.  The conversation moved at a really fast pace because there were people from all across the United States and now Canada involved in this group.  Every time I checked in there were well over 50 if not 100+ new messages.  I became

overwhelmed and soon I stopped trying to participate in the Voxer chats. I didn't ever delete the app but I just ignored it.  I do not really remember exactly why I decided to give it another try but a few months later I thought that I need to give it another try.  This time I just decided to just jump into the conversation mid stream and see what I could hear from the conversations.  I participated here and there but I was still struggling.  
I then heard Sanee Bell talk about how she uses Voxer as a principal while she was sharing with a whole group of principals and it made me think differently.  I decided to try this from a different perspective. Utilizing the model that Sanee had shared  I started a smaller conversation with people I already knew.  That is when I was like WHOOAAAAA!  I realized that I can talk with other educators on my time schedule without having to "add something" to my plate.  Now I am a part of several outstanding small group conversations and a couple of large group conversations.

That is when I was like WHOOAAAAAA!

So I am sure that you are thinking, OK Jeff but how does this fit into what I am doing?  Well, the best way I know to answer that is to just share how I use Voxer and how it has provided opportunities for me to learn and grow from conversations that take place anytime and anywhere.  

Anytime...
You can download the Voxer app to your device or you can log on via a desktop or laptop.  Listening to conversations is very easy and contributing to the conversation is even easier.  Some people like to listen and talk while driving to and from school, others prefer to use it as a way to begin or start their day.  You can listen at night or in the morning, it really doesn't matter but you need to join or start a conversation.  What are you passionate about?  What do you want to learn more about?  That is what your conversation is about.

Anywhere...
With the mobile app feature you can take Voxer with you no matter where you go.  Recently I was out of town and was able to participate in several different Voxer conversations either in the car, during a break in meetings, or at the hotel.  All you need is an internet connection.

I realized that I can talk with other educators on my time schedule without having to "add something" to my plate. 

Why...
In today's world it is very challenging to be able to get everyone in the room at the same time.  With Voxer you connect with people you know within your school district as well as people from all across the country or the world for that matter.  I have found that no matter the location there are common struggles in the world of education.  Being able to use a tool like Voxer to connect with other educators to brainstorm, share ideas, discuss, and support one another is priceless professional development and connectedness.  You can add several people to a group conversation and what you begin to have is an ongoing conversation that can last longer and go deeper than if you all were able to meet up for an hour or so face to face.

Please know that I am not being paid by Voxer to endorse their product. I am sharing about Voxer because as an educator I feel it is important to be connected and to stay connected to other educators.  Its these connections that will help us all become better educators for our students.

If you would like to start a conversation with me on Voxer please feel free!  I would love to hear others' thoughts and learning from Voxer or any other type of online conversation tool.  Please use the comments section, tweet at me or send me a vox!

Think. Achieve. Succeed.

Jeff

Voxer: @mann4edu