Apologies if that headline sounds like we stole it from a Snapchat exchange between some of your Gen Z teachers. However, it’s a question even some of your administrators may be asking: Is #EduSky, a hashtag now populating the up-and-coming BlueSky social network, a compelling alternative to X (formerly known as Twitter)?
BlueSky, also known as BlueSky Social, has been gaining steam since Elon Musk’s takeover of X due, in part, to users’ perceptions of Musk’s political affiliations and his decision to pull back on the moderation of posts on X.
There are still droves of educators using X and the #edchat hashtag but consider this story an introduction to the K12 activity on BlueSky (which, admittedly, looks and works a lot like X). After all, you’ll want to be quick with an answer if a school board member asks you, “How are we using BlueSky to tell the district’s story?”
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To start, EduSky Team (@eduskyteam.com) is a hub for educators flocking to the new social media site. The feed maintains a list of educators on BlueSky and invites educators to follow each other as they join the network.
Help these #EduSky community members feel welcome. Give them a hello and a follow. @[email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]
AASA, The School Superintendents Association has been posting on BlueSky for the past two months. In one of its most recent messages, it shared resources with school leaders facing the specter of increased immigration enforcement on their campuses.
AASA is here to support school leaders navigating recent reported policy changes from the Department of Homeland Security.Find more information here: www.aasa.org/resources/re…#PublicEducation #ImmigrationPolicy @aasadvocacy.bsky.social
— AASA, The School Superintendents Association (@aasa.org) 2025-01-23T22:38:13.262Z
Some prominent education influencers have made the switch. Teacher Alice Keeler has been out front with some guidance on how to use BlueSky.
“Remember the early days of Twitter? Back when it was less about viral trends and more about connecting with like-minded individuals? When you could actually build a thriving Professional Learning Network (PLN) and engage in meaningful conversations with fellow educators?” Keeler queries on her website. “Bluesky Social brings that feeling back.”
She points out, for instance, that if you have more to say than BlueSky’s 300-character limit allows, you can click the plus icon in a post to create a thread to share more insights.
Jennifer LaGarde, a teacher who goes by the handle Library Girl, switched in November, announcing on X that she would no longer use the site for her frequent posts about books and media literacy.
PBS News Classroom is now posting its daily lessons on both sites along with current events and educational resources.
Join our @vicpasquantonio.bsky.social w/ the wonderfully brilliant, empathic @awakenlibrarian.bsky.social @FETC – Future of Education Technology Conference 🚀📕🔅Fri. Jan. 17 @ 11-12pm❇️EXPO Hall. Leadership Round Tables, Booth 3386#FETC #FETC2025 #edtech #AI #sschat #medialiteracy
— PBS News Classroom (@pbsnewsclassroom.bsky.social) 2025-01-11T20:12:35.129Z
