Lories don't need computers to be social, but we love social media at the Houston Zoo!
As we turn in our rotary phones for Iphones and Blackberries, and our desktop computers for Ipads and laptops, we must ask ourselves-what will be next? And what’s next for the Zoo and specifically the Education Department is social media! Now, you may ask yourself, ‘what is social media’? That buzz phrase is tossed out all over the place, but for us it offers our department a greener, more immediate way to reach a wide audience. Whether it is Flickr, Twitter, or Facebook, the Zoo is reaching out online to people of all age everyday.
Now of course, social media isn’t for everyone. I enjoy sitting down with a newspaper and coffee as much as the next person, but as technology changes, we must change with it. As for the Education Department, we have switched from handing out pamphlets of information to directing as many people to our website as possible. Not only do we save paper, but you may stumble upon something interesting our on website (whether that is photography, bat houses or dinosaurs) that you hadn’t previously considered. As for teachers, the Houston Zoo has started a brand new Facebook Page called “Houston Zoo Teacher Talk” that is specifically directed towards educators. Become a fan and receive updates on educator workshops, new online resources, insider tips to making your fieldtrip to the Zoo as smooth as possible, and much, much, more.
If a more private social network suits your fancy, check out Ning. We use it to exchange ideas with our Teacher Advisory Council, but it could be used for anything from a sports team to a special interest group. Check it out-it’s user friendly and sure beats clogging your friends inboxes with emails.
Now, you won’t find the Education Department on Twitter anytime soon…I don’t think updates on how my curriculum writing is going would be the most entertaining tweet, but if it is, you can let me know.
So hop on board, become a fan, lend your ideas. Not only are we open to broadening our horizons, we embrace it!
Written by Martha, Education Programs Specialist
