Have you ever wished you could talk to other teachers from around the globe to share ideas and strategies? How amazing would it be to have conversations with educators from different grade levels and countries? Now, you can! The Clubhouse app is changing the way educators around the world collaborate. Here are some Clubhouse tips for elementary teachers.
Clubhouse Tips for Elementary Teachers
Clubhouse is an app where you can have conversations with people from around the globe. There are rooms on every topic you can imagine, and you can join in discussions any time.
Each room has a stage, and the person who moderates the room speaks on the stage. Then, you can raise your hand to go on stage and ask questions or share ideas.
I am so excited about what this new platform can do for the education community! Leaving comments on a Facebook or Instagram post just isn’t the same as having a live discussion with a group of teachers. Follow these tips to make the most of Clubhouse.
#1 – Join the app.
Step number one is pretty obvious. You need to join the Clubhouse app if you aren’t already a member. Start by downloading the app in the App Store. Right now, Clubhouse only works on iPhones. They are working on making it compatible with Android.
Clubhouse is still in beta, so you need an invitation to join. If you would like an invitation, head over to the Elementary Teacher Talk Facebook group, and we’ll try to hook you up with an invite. Once you accept the invitation, you will be able to create your profile.
#2 – Choose Your Interests
When you choose your interests, be sure to select “Education”. When they recommend people for you to follow, read their bios and choose some other teachers. The rooms that are selected for you are based on the interests you choose and the people you follow.
Be sure to put information about yourself in your bio. Share what grade level you teach and what topics you are passionate about so other teachers will follow you. Also, link to your Twitter and/or Instagram. There is no messaging feature on Clubhouse, so you will use other platforms to make connections outside the app.
#3 – Check Out the Rooms in Your Hallway.
When you open the Clubhouse app, you will be taken right to your hallway. These are the rooms that are recommended for you. It might take a while to match you with rooms that interest you. Just be patient. As you follow more people with your interests, your hallway will fill with rooms you love!
I’ve been on the app for about a month now, and I’m just starting to see all the rooms I want to join. You can find other rooms by clicking the calendar icon at the top of your hallway. This will bring up more upcoming rooms you might want to join.
#4 – Don’t Be Afraid to Speak on Stage
If you have a question or want to contribute to a discussion, don’t be afraid to go on stage. Just click the hand button at the bottom of the room, and the moderator will move you to the stage. Just make sure you click the microphone button to mute yourself until it’s your turn to talk.
Some moderators will tell you when it’s your turn to talk. Others will allow you to unmute and speak whenever you’d like. I usually observe for a few minutes to see how the room is being run before I raise my hand.
It’s also completely fine to join a room and just listen. When you’re in the audience, you won’t be able to speak. The moderator can invite you to the stage, but you don’t have to accept it. I like to just listen while I’m driving, folding laundry, or cooking dinner.
#5 – Help to Grow the Education Community
Right now, there is a relatively small number of teachers on Clubhouse. Help to spread the word by telling your colleagues and teacher friends. You will get two invites that you can share with others. You can find them in the envelope icon at the top of your hallway.
#6 – Join Me for Elementary Teacher Talk
Starting March 1st, I’m going to be hosting a recurring Clubhouse room with Zerlinda Jessee called Elementary Teacher Talk. It’s going to be a place to share your wins or frustrations from the day. We will discuss strategies and answer questions.
When can you join us?
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings at 9:00 PM EST we will be discussing important education topics.
- Thursday evenings at 9:00 PM EST we will have a free talk session. Bring your questions or topics you want to discuss.
- Saturday mornings at 11:00 AM EST we will have a group planning session. Join us to get your lesson plans done for the week and get ideas for engaging activities.
Join the Elementary Teacher Talk Facebook Group to get updates about upcoming rooms and notes from the sessions.
I hope to see you there!
#7 – Warning: Clubhouse can be Addictive!
I’m going to leave you with a word of warning. When you see how amazing the Clubhouse app is, you’re going to want to spend all your time there.
I like to set a time limit each day and choose the rooms I am most excited to join. That way, I’m not checking all the time to see what rooms are open. Recurring rooms make it easy to set a schedule, since you always know when they’re happening.
What Do You Think?
Have you joined Clubhouse yet? What is your favorite thing about it?
Let me know in the comments.
Don’t forget to join the Elementary Teacher Talk Facebook Grou to get all the notes from the Clubhouse room.
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