Remember the good old days of Twitter when you could jump on really quick and get some positive encouragement or teaching ideas? Things seem to have gone downhill a bit on the site formerly known as Twitter (I will never call it X). It’s time to ditch the social media algorithm and look to other spaces to gather.
Ditch the Social Media Algorithm
Social media platforms aren’t charities. They exist to sell you, not as a social good. YOU are the product. Their algorithms aren’t designed to help you connect with loved ones; they’re engineered to keep you scrolling, clicking, and consuming ads, often prioritizing outrage and controversy to hold your attention. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Bluesky offers a different approach. Imagine a social media experience where you design the algorithm. Instead of being bombarded with suggested posts and accounts, Bluesky empowers you to create or follow custom “feeds” that align with your interests. Your home screen becomes a curated space filled with content from the people and communities you actually choose to follow. Take back control of what you’re seeing, and reclaim your social media experience.
If you used Tweetdeck to manage your conversations, you might want to check out deck.blue. Login with your Bluesky account. It will show you columns of posts including who you follow, your posts, notifications, likes, and media. Use the plus icon on the left sidebar to add more columns to track feeds and hashtags.
Why is Bluesky Different?
Bluesky is very much like Twitter in the old days. If you know how to tweet you pretty much know how to post on Bluesky. This is a Twitter alternative. However, it also has some cool features that Twitter never had. See below. I have started a list of educators at tinyurl.com/edusky to help you make the jump.
1. Decentralized and Federated
- What it means: Bluesky isn’t controlled by a single company. It’s built on the AT Protocol, an open-source framework allowing various servers to host different communities or “feeds.” This is like having many small Twitters interconnected, instead of one central platform.
- Why it matters for teachers:
- More control: Potentially less censorship and fewer algorithm-driven content restrictions.
- Community focus: Easier to find and create groups with like-minded educators, fostering focused discussions and resource sharing.
- Data ownership: Greater control over personal data and content.
2. Chronological Feeds
- What it means: Posts are displayed in the order they’re created, not based on an algorithm.
- Why it matters for teachers:
- No missing important updates: Ensures you see posts from colleagues and educational organizations in real-time.
- Less manipulation: Reduces the risk of being trapped in echo chambers or filter bubbles.
3. Focus on Customization
- What it means: Users have more control over their feed’s appearance and content.
- Why it matters for teachers:
- Personalized learning network: Create custom feeds to follow specific educational topics, grade levels, or teaching methodologies.
- Reduced noise: Filter out irrelevant content for a more focused experience.
4. No Ads (for now)
- What it means: Bluesky currently has no advertising.
- Why it matters for teachers:
- Less distraction: Focus on educational content without intrusive ads.
- Privacy: No tracking or data collection for ad targeting.
Unique Features of Bluesky
While Bluesky and Twitter (still refusing to call it X) have many similarities, there are also some enhancements that are sure to excite you.
Starter Packs Get the Party Started
Obviously opening up Bluesky and seeing people you follow instead of suggested accounts. However, when you make a new account you’re obviously not following anyone! This is where Starter Packs come into play. A Starter Pack is a list of suggested people to follow.
Click the Follow all button to quickly follow everyone in the list. It’s not algorithmic suggestions … it is who you follow’s recommendations! Carefully curated by a human being.
ANYONE can make a Starter Pack. When you click on your profile on the left hand side you have a selection of tabs. One of the tabs is “Starter Packs.” Click to create one and simply search to add people. It is that easy!
Feeds Are Your Custom Algorithm
Think of custom feeds in Bluesky like creating your own personalized channels on TV. Instead of flipping through channels filled with random shows, you get to decide exactly what you want to watch.
These feeds filter Bluesky so you only see the types of posts you’re interested in. It’s like having someone gather all the best resources and discussions on a topic and deliver them right to your screen. No more sifting through irrelevant content or getting distracted by random posts. You get to choose what you see, making your time on Bluesky more valuable and efficient.
Check out the #EduSky feed. This is a custom feed to show you posts that use the hashtag #EduSky.
You can find custom feeds by clicking on anyone’s profile and clicking on their “Feeds” tab. They didn’t necessarily create these feeds, but these are the ones they have pinned. When opening a feed, notice the “Pin to Home” button at the top. This allows you to save the feed and have quick access to it by clicking on “Feeds” in the left hand side menu. On your Feeds list, there is an “Edit” link in the upper right that will allow you to reorder your list so your most important feeds are at the top.
Lists Let You Ditch the Social Media Algorithm
Bluesky offers you multiple ways to ensure that the content you see is the content you want. While Twitter also has lists, they aren’t as easy to locate as they are in Bluesky. A List is a list of profiles to allow you to see only those people’s posts. I created a List for math teachers, one for librarians, etc… This allows me to filter my posts for the voices I most want to hear from on a particular topic.
To add someone to a list you must first make a list. Click on lists on the left hand side and click the “new” button. Once you’ve created a list simply click on the 3 dots in the upper right hand corner to add that person to one or multiple lists. When I see someone post that I want to see more of their stuff, I try to add them to a list.
YOU CAN BLOCK PEOPLE ON BLUESKY
Sorry for the all caps but freedom of speech is not freedom of people hearing you. Recently Twitter reduced the effectiveness of blocking. There are many good reasons to block certain people and you should not feel guilty about it. Your mental health depends on you curating a safe space. If you don’t feel safe or if your feeds don’t bring you joy, you won’t come back. I personally have had creepy stalkers who try to send inappropriate images. Under no circumstances do I want them to be able to interact with me or see my stuff.
Use the 3 Dots on Their Profile
You can share someone’s profile, block them, or mute them. Mute removes them from your Home feed but doesn’t block them from seeing your stuff.
Anti-Toxicity Features
If your free speech is hate speech then maybe Bluesky isn’t for you. There is some level of content moderation and some tools to aid in anti-harrassment. See this article from Bluesky on anti-toxicity.
- Detaching Quote Posts: Now you can remove your original post from someone else’s quote post, limiting the potential for dogpiling and harassment.
- Hiding Replies: You can now hide replies to your posts, making them less visible while still keeping them accessible.
- Priority Notifications: Filter your notifications to only see updates from people you follow, reducing noise and unwanted attention.
- Improved Reply Visibility: Changes to how replies are displayed make it easier to follow conversations and bump older threads.
- Blocking List Creators: Blocking someone will now filter you out of any lists they create.
Why Choose BlueSky?
- Ditch the Algorithm: Take control of your feed and see what YOU want to see.
- Custom Feeds: Create personalized channels for specific topics, grade levels, or teaching styles.
- Chronological Order: Never miss important updates from colleagues and organizations.
- No Ads (yet): Enjoy a distraction-free environment focused on learning and connection.
- Decentralized: Less censorship and more community control.
- Community Focused: Easily find and connect with like-minded educators.
- Data Ownership: Have greater control over your personal data and content.
- Direct Messaging: Connect with colleagues and students privately.
- Improved Discoverability: Find relevant accounts and communities through an enhanced Discover feed.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Help shape the platform by providing feedback on the content you see.
- Anti-Harassment Features: Detach quote posts, hide replies, and filter notifications for a safer experience.
- Starter Packs: Easily follow curated lists of educators and organizations.
- Lists: Organize accounts by topic or interest for easy access.
- Blocking Features: Protect your mental health and curate a safe space.
- Open Source: Transparency and community-driven development.
