Twitter for Educators

Eric Sheningerhttp://ericsheninger.com

Web 2.0 DefinedThe term Web 2.0 is associated with web

applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, user-generated content, and collaboration on the World Wide Web.

A Web 2.0 site allows users to interact and collaborate with each other in social media spaces as creators of content in a virtual community, in contrast to websites where users (consumers) are limited to the passive viewing of content that was created for them.

How the Web Has Changed

How the Web Has Changed

Web 2.0 Tools Help You:

Web 2.0 as a Multi-Dimensional Tool

Involve

Discuss

Create

Measure

Promote

Specific Examples of Web 2.0 Sites

TwitterFree Web 2.0 social networking

service

Commonly referred to as “micro-blogging”

Send and receive short messages called tweets

Motto – “Follow your interests”

Why Twitter?

Why Twitter?

Getting Started with Twitter

Sign up for a free account at twitter.com

Getting Started With Twitter

Your profile is extremely important! Make sure you:1. Add a real photo for your avatar2. Link to a website (i.e. personal, blog,

LinkedIn profile, school, etc.)3. Include your interests in your Bio, some

of which should be professional

This video will guide you through creating a free account https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DroKl2o-2e8

Avatar

UsernameProfile/Bio

Tweet

Following

Followers

Getting Started With Twitter

My Bio:

Principal of New Milford HS (NJ): NASSP National Digital Principal Award Winner (2012), Google Certified Teacher, Adobe Education Leader, Author, Speaker

New Milford, NJ/S.Y., NY http://ericsheninger.com

Twitter.com/NMHS_Principal

Twitter BasicsMessages you send on Twitter are called

“TWEETS”

A tweet can only be 140 characters or less

Tweets can be links to resources, status updates, asking for help or feedback, questions/answers, topics for discussion, articles, pictures, videos, announcements, etc.

Twitter Basics

Some Useful Definitions

The Language of Twitter@ Reply sent to a specific person, but visible to everyone.

RT Re-Tweet or resending another persons tweet (similar to forwarding an email). Retweets are a very important aspect of Twitter as they allow interesting ideas, news, and resources to spread quickly.

The Language of TwitterD Direct message sent in private to a specific person. You can only direct message (DM) a person who is following you.

# Hashtags allow users to designate a topic and track specific conversations.

Can click on # to open up a separate window with tweets specific to a

certain topic

Example of a Reply and/or Mention (@)

Reply: @NMHS_Principal Hope you are doing well sir

Example of a Retweet (RT)Retweet: RT @GaryM: STEM Resources for Teachers & Students: thinkfinity.org/stem #science

Sending a Direct Message (DM)

Direct message: Click here at twitter.com

Sending a Direct Message (DM)Select to send a DM

Enter username

message

Hashtags (#)

Hashtags (#)There are #hash tagged days, events, and conversations that pertain to educators. Conferences will also use a # so that participants can follow virtually.

Examples:

#teachertuesday: recommendations of teachers to follow

#edchat: global conversation on a specific education issue voted and decided by all of us (occurs every Tuesday at 11:00 AM and 7:00

PM EST)

Hashtags (#)#followfriday: recommendations of all

stakeholders in education and beyond to follow

#edtech: conversations, resources, and news related to educational technology

#cpchat: conversations, resources, and news related to principals and leadership

Examples of Tweets with Hashtags

Use of case studies as a student-centered approach to learning bit.ly/tK9vnD #edchat #cpchat

The Best Good, Inexpensive & Simple Classroom Tech Tools bit.ly/nRoeV6 #edtech

Click on the # to open up a separate tab

Twitter Help CenterVisit the Twitter Help Center for detailed support

https://support.twitter.com/

For the basics of Twitter visithttps://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics

Why Should Educators Use Twitter

Improve Instruction

Professional Growth (PLN)

Free

Accessible 24/7 from anywhere with an Internet of 3G connection

Can use a variety of devices to access (computer, tablet, smart phone)

Numerous 3rd party applications to enhance your experience

Twitter was the technology of choice for hundreds of educators trying to capture the news and emotions of returning to school Monday

Why Use TwitterImprove instruction

1. Global collaboration

2. Sharing and acquiring resources (websites, research, current events, images, videos, lesson plans, etc.)

3. Knowledge acquisition: People are eager to answer questions because they can learn from the shared experience. Quick way to find a URL to an activity, strategy, or information.

4. Professional growth through the formation of a Personal Learning Network (PLN)

Why Use Twitter

5. Quick networking: One question asked may draw responses from a host of people from all over the world. If you have a solid number of followers in your PLN, some are bound to check their Twitter feed when a query is posed

6. Track conferences: Twitter can help you stay abreast of what’s going on at conferences if you can’t attend in person. If you are at a conference with numerous great sessions a twittering educator can fill you in. To avoid multitasking during an exceptional presentation you can review conference feeds later.

Reasons to Create a PLN With Twitter

Search for information

Reflective practice

Global and local perspectives

Instant feedback

Showcase

Newsroom

Professional development

Together we are better

Ask a Question on Twitter

Who Should You Follow?Authors (twitter.com/robertjmarzano)

Professional Groups (twitter.com/ascd)

Organizations (twitter.com/edutopia)

Interests (twitter.com/nasa)

Educational leaders (twitter.com/NMHS_Principal)

Look at who they follow and their follows to build your PLN! Best way to begin is to “lurk and learn”

Educators Around the World are Using Twitter

Check out this wiki http://twitter4teachers.pbworks.com

Google Doc of teachers who use Twitter https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArEWinLIvaYEdDlyTnVTV3JyX3d3QzhrRkJKd0tnc0E&hl=en#gid=0

Twitter-Using Educators group on LinkedIn

See who is using popular hashtags (#edchat, #cpchat, #edtech, #edreform)

Schools Are Using Twitter

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArEWinLIvaYEcFdxOUVRVWNkVGZJZmUxcUJwTlp6RGc&hl=en#gid=0

Access to TwitterTwitter.com

Application on computer: allow you to establish categories, shorten URL’sTweetdeck (www.tweetdeck.com) Hootsuite (hootsuite.com)Seesmic (seesmic.com)

Mobile phone application

SMS text message via cell phone

Access to Twitter

Twitter Best PracticesAs with any social networking tool, remember

your role within the school community when tweeting.

Use common sense and think before posting to the Internet. Anything you tweet can be accessed, adapted, and archived.

Keep your personal and professional life separate

Twitter is a Powerful Web 2.0 Tool

“A whole new Web is emerging from the wilds of cyberspace. It’s no longer all about idly surfing and passively reading, listening, or watching. It’s about doing, sharing, socializing, collaborating, and, most of all creating.”

- Business Week (September 26, 2005)

Use Twitter as your gateway to the world of Web 2.0

ResourcesCommunicating and Connecting with Social Media

(Solution Tree) http://www.solution-tree.com/products/communicating-connecting-with-social-media.html

Twitter for Educators: A Beginners Guide http://images.pcmac.org/Uploads/MCPSS/MobileCounty/Departments/Forms/Twitter%20for%20Educators.pdf