Top 50 Google Circles for Cutting Edge Educators

Google+ may still be finding its own footing among the Twitters and Facebooks of cyberspace, but nevertheless hosts a cornucopia of networking opportunities spanning numerous subjects. Education subject matter in particular seems to flourish on the service, with parents, teachers, pros, students, and interested outsiders meeting up and talking about anything and everything. Social media-savvy educators seeking any outlet possible to trade resources and ideas should check out the following circles for hot topics in teaching all age levels — including adults!

Ed Tech

1. Jen Hegna's MN Edtech: Follow this circle for information about how Minnesota educators are incorporating technology into their classrooms — information which no doubt resonates across state and national borders.

2. Chris Moore's Edtech Buddies: With more than 150 profiles to browse, anyone looking for ed tech advice or connections will surely find someone (or something) valuable and insightful here.

3. Aaron Mueller's Edtech in BC: The majority of profiles listed here deal with education technology in British Columbia, but the information is certainly applicable to other regions.

4. Kristopher Derentz's Tech NEWS: Even though this circle focuses on general tech news, teachers with a fondness for the latest gadgets and developments would still do well to follow it for obvious reasons.

5. pio dal cin's Google in Education: Because Google alone offers up some tools that teachers absolutely adore using, following its innovators and adapters might prove beneficial to the technology-enhanced classroom.

6. Devalyn Britt's Ed Tech Circle: More than 140 profiles come together for quick referencing about a wide range of ed tech, IT, and gaming topics.

7. Billy Wilson's Interactive People in the Technology Community: Keep track of this circle and meet up with a diverse selection of technology experts and professionals active on Google+, many of whom might be able to offer some creative insight into education applications.

8. Paul Melrose's E-Learning/Education Technology Circle: E-learning constantly grows as a viable tool in classrooms and homes alike, so the wired education professional would do well to learn as much as possible about it.

9. Anne Hole's Educational Technology Circle: Although higher education in particular receives quite a boost here, there's no reason other grade levels can't learn a few things from the strategies discussed here.

10. Mark Smithers' Education Technology G+ Circle: From kindergarten all the way through college, the education professionals listed here have all sorts of great things to share about ed tech.

General

1. Eileen O'Duffy's Educators Circle: Exactly what it says on the tin! Stop by this circle for an eclectic selection of education professionals talking about pretty much everything related to their careers.

2. Thomas Ho's Education Circle: The Purdue professor's circle was created specifically for teachers and other education professionals hoping to network with one another over Google+.

3. Alister Macintyre's Education Topics: More than 40 users and education resources collide for a broad look at the best learning strategies, resources, gadgets, and more.

4. Vincent Knight's Education Circle: Fans of smaller, more manageable circles will appreciate browsing Vincent Knight's offering of diverse education topics, though he does lean more toward math-oriented profiles and pages.

5. Jon Hiller's Science, Education: Science, education, and science education all end up featured at this giant resources packed with nearly 400 members to explore.

6. David Wees' Educators Circle: About 500 education professionals and organizations from a wonderfully wide selection of backgrounds are available to brows and add at this fabulous Google+ circle.

7. Lord Miles Parker's Circle of Teachers: This highly popular, Bristol-based educator shares some of his favorite teachers with others hoping to learn a little from their profiles.

8. Weebit's Google Pages List: Social media-savvy educators flock to Weebit's seriously amazing list, which focuses on anything and everything related to their careers.

9. Creative Education's Circle of Educators: Everyone within the Circle of Educators boasts a profile chock full of innovative ideas for effective, efficient classrooms.

10. Paul Schuler's Math+Ed Circle: It isn't all about math, though teachers concerned with the subject are more likely to connect here than their peers from other fields.

Higher Education

1. Alexander Fisher's Education I – Universities: Incomplete, yes, but still an excellent start for quickly finding American colleges and universities with a Google+ presence.

2. Liz Gross' Higher Education Circle: Professors aren't the only residents here. This circle also plays host to staff members playing many different roles in keeping higher education clipping along.

3. Digital/Social Media Pros Working in Higher Education: The 281 members here all blur social media in with college and university life for a great glimpse at digital technology's role in promoting and engaging the education world.

4. Educational Marketing Group, Inc.'s Colleges, Universities, & Departments: Explore how colleges, universities, and departments take advantage of Google+ and other social media sites to push themselves.

5. Christine Johnson's Higher Education Circle: This higher education professional cobbled together a grouping of different colleges and universities to check out the different ways they employ the social networking tool.

6. Tim Ngwena's UK Higher Education on Google+: No matter what corner of the globe visitors come from, they have plenty to learn from colleges and universities based in the UK.

7. Shibaura Institute of Technology by IRAS' #College Circle: Check out this Japanese school's very handy compilation of institutes of higher learning from around the world.

8. Colgate University's Schools on Google+: Yet another quick social media resource dedicated to bringing together different institutes of higher learning in one place.

9. Raghd Hamzeh's Google Student Ambassadors of the MENA Region: Students and higher ed professionals interested in international studies and affairs should follow the Middle Eastern and North African students participating in Google's tech-oriented training program.

10. Joshua Burk's Boston College Circle of Alumni & Current Students: Obviously, most Google+ users will not have any connection with Boston College, but that doesn't mean they can't pick up inspiration about how current students and graduates use social media to stay in touch and network.

Homeschool & Unschool

1. Michele James-Parham's Unschoolers & Homeschoolers: Self-explanatory, really. This circle cobbles together homeschooling parents, particularly those with an affinity for unschooling practices.

2. Kerry Jones' Secular Homeschooling Circle: Homeschooling families are often stereotyped as deeply religious, but — as these parents prove — that's certainly not always the reality!

3. Traci Knoppe's Homeschoolers Circle: Browse almost 270 moms and dads who choose to homeschool their kids, with every K-12 grade level represented.

4. Marie Nolan's Homeschoolers Circle: Another circle dedicated to networking homeschooling parents together and exchanging information about the best lessons, strategies, and more.

5. Rose Wiegley's Homeschool Circle: Even non-homeschoolers interested in the subject can still participate in this circle, which mainly focuses on secularly educating kids.

6. Michelle Ireland's Unschooling/Homeschooling Circle: With more than 400 entries, visitors with any sort of questions regarding homeschooling or unschooling will likely find some useful answers here.

7. Monica Brand's Homeschoolers Circle: This circle features 216 participants, each with something to discuss regarding all things homeschool.

8. Vanessa Pruitt's Unschooling Circle: Small but mighty, Vanessa Pruitt's little group focuses on the unschooling technique and offering up the best education possible within its parameters.

9. Sara McGrath's Unschooling Circle: Unschooling parents get together on Google+ to trade the resources they find most useful in their home classrooms.

10. Lee Cooper's Stay at Home Dads Circle: Although obviously not exclusively about homeschooling and unschooling, Lee Cooper's special circle for stay-at-home dads will certainly provide great support for "nontraditional" fathers pursuing that route.

Special Needs

1. Stuart Duncan's Autism Circle Sharing: Educators and parents dealing with kids on the autism spectrum would do well to check out this listing of organizations and advocacy groups bursting with helpful advice.

2. Gareth Evans' Hearing Impaired Circle: Assistive technology and other topics related to hearing impairment both inside and outside the classroom receive coverage here.

3. Friendship Circle of Michigan's #SpecialNeeds Nonprofits: Check this circle to see what these 27 diverse organizations have to offer special needs children and adults alike.

4. Terri Mauro's Special Needs Issues Circle: Terri Mauro may not have focused exclusively on education when cobbling her special needs circle emphasizing common and not-so-common facets, but it certainly works for pros and parents.

5. Ryan Moore's School Counselor/Youth Mental Health Worker Circle: One hundred sixty mental health professionals concerned with the mental and emotional well-being of kids are available for networking and (usually) asking important questions about various conditions and situations.

6. Kim Patch's Circle: Read up on universal design, accessibility, assistive technology, and other resources pertinent to special needs education — and beyond, of course.

7. Bill Harrison's American Sign Language: Whether a seasoned pro or a greenhorn, this ASL circle is a great tool for Google+-savvy parents and educators working with hearing-impaired students.

8. Loree Greco's PTSD Interest Circle: Learn all about a misunderstood disorder from 248 different individuals who hope to teach the world about the realities behind post-traumatic stress disorder.

9. Jerry Nguyen's Brain and Behavior Folks: This awesome little circle is ideal for parents, faculty, and staff whose lives involve educating children and adults with specific behavioral and brain-related physiological needs.

10. Keith Kmett, CUA's #Accessibility Circle: Particularly plugged-in users should stay on top of the latest and greatest in accessibility news and standards, as they directly impact special needs students of all ages.

Taken From Online College