John Larkin

This week the Friday Follow Twitter Interview is coming to you live from the Blackbird Cafe, Cockle Bay, Sydney. This place called Cockle Bay forms part of the Darling Harbour complex.

It is a beautiful Friday evening and with whom am I sharing this delightful evening? Well, there is Phillipa Cleaves, Liam Dunphy, Ben Jones, Martin Pluss, Jan Green, Stephen Collis, Darcy Moore, Stephen Ridgway, Robyn Jay, Linda Johannesson, Chris Betcher, Ariane Skapetis, Shani Hartley and Carmel Galvin. A veritable smorgasbord of intellectual brain food and luscious eye candy. One does not know where to begin! What to eat!? Yum!

Plus, there is me, your oh so special after dinner mint, John Larkin. Now, ladies and gentlemen, I digress…

This week’s special guest is the inimitable Shani Hartley and tonight, live at the March Bloggers Dinner, they are going to tackle the big questions of the Friday Follow Twitter Interview. So between the main meal and the coffees let us all enjoy a glass of wine or two and this week’s inspirational moments…

Please share a little about yourself with the readers.

Grew up in Wagga Wagga and wanted to be a yuppie and I became an accountant. After kids reinvented myself as a teacher. Love reading, writing, chess and tennis.

Describe the role played by social media in education.

From teacher to teacher it fulfills knowledge, connections and raising expectations as teacher. I can see a future where teachers and students are connected via social media leading to engagement and learning. With social media the students can bring in the extended family, community and acquire knowledge and skills from many ages, many experiences and link in to experiences that exist outside the four walls of the classroom.

Tell me about your relationship with social media. How do you feel about social media?

I love how connected you can be with social media but I am wary of how it can be abused. So far I have not been burnt. I can see the potential.

What do you feel are you strengths?

Relationship building, patience, exploration of new things, always looking for better solutions.

What advice do you like to share with people?

Love your students and dare to be different.

Are there any questions you would like to ask?

So many… How do we get rid of the world of anger?

Thank you Shani!

Now all you trendsetting Twitter readers do not forget to add @shhartley Shani Hartley to your Twitter feed. You will be not be disappointed as you shall receive a Twitter feed that resonates with an intellectually stimulating stream of consciousness. Enjoy! See you all next week!