Social Media Management Training for Teachers in Altai Region: Learning to Control Their Online Presence
Project in Altai Region Enhances Teachers' Online Presence
Siberia's Altai region, through a partnership between ANO "Dialogue of Regions" and UNDP, initiated a project dubbed "Personal Brand of a Teacher in Social Media." This intriguing project drew from over 200 applications, eventually selecting just ten enthusiastic educators from the Altai region for the task1.
The project, officially reported by the Altai region's UNDP, enables these educators to complete tasks, receive feedback, and exchange experiences online, all without disturbing their primary roles2.
In an upbeat tone, Irina Bzhitskikh, a teacher from the Biisk Lyceum-Interнаt, expressed her appreciation for the project: "[I enjoyed] the atmosphere, the setting, and how the courses were conducted... I can revisit, listen, and learn whenever I want. I've already started creating short videos, sharing them, and developing educational cards. I've set personal goals, and I plan to apply them in practice"2.
As part of this initiative, Altai educators embraced a more personable approach to their social media profiles, identifying themselves and curating content to appeal to their intended audience1.
Yet, intrigue and controversy surrounded the project's purpose, with some Altai residents skeptical about the teachers' new responsibilities:
- "When will teachers have time to fulfill their primary duties - teaching children? Isn't the quality and level of education declining year after year? Now they're asking us to manage social media!"
- "When a teacher is already working, they shouldn't take on additional 'voluntary' tasks. A teacher's job is to teach. If they want to manage social media, that's their personal choice, their free time"
- "Why does a teacher need a personal brand? Teaching isn't network marketing or a business where one needs new customers or partners"
However, UNDP specialists clarified that participation in the project was entirely voluntary, and the training did not disrupt the participants' main activities2. At the project's finale, the training facilitators received positive feedback from the participants and expressed their eagerness to join additional initiatives2.
The crux of this project lies in empowering educators to create a unique and professional online identity, enabling the sharing of expertise, educational successes, and fostering a collaborative network of educators1. This initiative equips teachers with the essential digital skills and competencies needed to effectively engage in social media and contribute to their professional growth in the digital realm. By embracing personal branding, educators can amplify their reach, inspire others, and ultimately, shape the educational landscape of the Altai region.
- The Personal Brand of a Teacher in Social Media project in the Altai region emphasizes the integration of technology and education-and-self-development, enabling teachers to create a unique online identity and share expertise.
- As part of this initiative, the teachers from Altai are developing their digital skills, leveraging technology to self-create, engage, and collaborate, ultimately elevating the quality of education and promoting self-development.
