Twitter



Handout: [|Twitter]



http://docs.google.com/Present?docid=dhp83qxd_0dccxprdf
 * [|I Use Twitter to..]**

http://www.commoncraft.com/twitter
 * [|Twitter in Plain English]**
 * Why Twitter?**
 * 1) Networking: The people you follow and who follow you want to share everything and anything that might be useful to someone. Twitter often times is not a conversation so you don't need to feel pressure to engage in dialogue; it's a sharing forum first and foremost. But, you just might make a few new friends along the way, too.
 * 2) Collaborating: Once people start sharing Web 2.0 lessons they are doing in class with people on Twitter, collaborative projects around the nation and the world have the opportunity to come together.
 * 3) Acquire Information Galore!: You will receive more information than you need. You'll also have access so much information that you're so happy to now know. Your knowledge of all things that interest you will multiply exponentially. It's an amazing experience when you hit your Twitter stride; magic happens in the classroom and the boundaries of your view of the world are blown away.
 * 4) It's just plain fun.
 * What is Twitter?** According to [|Twitternet] (http://tweeternet.com/):

" [|Twitter] is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows you answer the question, //"What are you doing?"// by sending short text messages 140 characters in length, called "tweets", to your friends, or "followers".

The short format of the tweet is a defining characteristic of the service, allowing informal collaboration and quick information sharing that provides relief from rising email and IM fatigue.

Twittering is also a less gated method of communication: you can share information with people that you wouldn't normally exchange email or IM messages with, opening up your circle of contacts to an ever-growing community of like-minded people." Please visit Twitternet to learn more about Twitter and its details. There are more sites at the end of this handout for further reading.


 * How to Set Up Your Own Twitter Account:**
 * 1) Go to [|http://twitter.com]
 * 2) Click on "Join the Conversation".
 * 3) Enter your first and last name.
 * 4) Enter your username. It should be something professional: either your first and last name or a recognizable hybrid of the two.
 * 5) Choose a password.
 * 6) Enter an email address. This is an address to which Twitter will send new followers and direct messages. School email addresses work for this, especially if you're using it as a professional tool.
 * 7) Enter the mystery word and create your account.
 * 8) Go to "Settings" on the top of the page to create your Bio. It's only 140 characters, so make it good. You want it to be a mix of professional and personal so that people know your field, your passions, and a little bit about your humanity.
 * 9) Add your location and if you have a Web presence, enter that too. (If you don't have a Web presence, like a blog, you should seriously consider creating one. But that's a whole other workshop...)
 * 10) Time to send updates! You'll also hear them called tweets. Whatever you call them, start engaging in to chatter!


 * What Happens Next?**
 * 1) You need people to follow. With help from 6th Grade ELA Teacher from Reading, MA [|@solivo11], I suggest the following smattering of educators:
 * 2) [|@KarenJan] (Karen Janowski, Assistive & Educational Technology Consultant)
 * 3) [|@AngelaMaiers] (Independent Education Consultant in Iowa, very active and informative Twitterer)
 * 4) [|@thecleversheep] (Teacher, active Twitterer)
 * 5) [|@MagistraM] (High School Latin Teacher, Reading, MA)
 * 6) [|@kathyschrock] (Tech Administrator, Cape Cod, MA)
 * 7) [|@AngelaStockman] (Award-winning Teacher, NY; active Twitterer)
 * 8) [|@kellyhines] (4th grade teacher)
 * 9) [|@oswego98] (Middle School Social Studies Teacher)
 * 10) [|@skipz] (NH High School Teacher)
 * 11) [|@tscheeler] (Teacher, North Dakota)
 * 12) [|@JanSmith] (Grade 6 Teacher, Canada)
 * 13) [|@gardenglen] (Middle Level Science Teacher)
 * 14) [|@MHockaday] (Grade 7 Teacher)
 * 15) [|@bcdtech] (Elementary and Middle School Teacher, MA)
 * 16) [|@LParisi] (Grade 5 Teacher, NY)
 * 17) [|@e_shep] (Middle School Assistant Principal)
 * 18) [|@ErnieEaster] (Middle School Teacher, ME)
 * 19) [|@mjmontagne] (Middle School Tech Specialist)
 * 20) [|@capohanka] (French/Geography Teacher, VA)
 * 21) [|@nconnolly] (Norah Connolly, Middle School Librarian, Reading, MA)
 * 22) Begin watching updates and start sharing your own. You'll soon discover that people will begin to take notice of what you have to offer the world. Remember: The updates are 140 characters or less.
 * 23) Download [|TweetDeck] (http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/). It makes Twitter so much easier to manage. You can get snazzy with iPod Touch/iPhone Apps and browser programs, but I recommend TweetDeck first.
 * 24) Shorten your URLs to take full advantage of the 140 character mini-blog entries. Use [|TinyURL] (http://tinyurl.com/) or another URL shortening program TweetDeck has a URL shortening program. Did I mention that you should download TweetDeck?
 * 25) To spice things up a little, find "people" like the Wall Street Journal (@WSJ), the Boston Globe (@BostonUpdates), or one of the many facets of PBS and NPR that you can follow. Also. following professional journals is a great way to keep on top of what's happening at the magazines and in your field between paper issues. And, of course, feel free to follow things for pure enjoyment. This is a place to expand your horizons in as many ways possible!


 * Resources:**

[|Twitter for Teachers]: http://twitterforteachers.wetpaint.com/

[|So You Want to Try Twitter?]: http://learningconversations.ca/so-you-want-to-try-twitter/

[|Joyce Valenza on Twitter]: http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1340000334/post/1130039913.html

[|Twitter4Teachers]: http://twitter4teachers.pbwiki.com/

[|26 Keys to Twitter Success!]: http://www.angelamaiers.com/2008/12/26-keys-to-twitter-success.html

[|Twitter Engagement Formula]: http://www.angelamaiers.com/2008/09/my-twitter-enga.html

[|50 Ideas on Using Twitter for Education]: http://cooper-taylor.com/blog/2008/08/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-education/

Go to Norah's Blog for Electronic Copies of this Handout: [|Librarian(')s Matter] (http://nlcommunities.com/communities/parkerlibrary)

 Handout created by Norah Connolly, Librarian, W. S. Parker Middle School, Reading, MA. 23 February 2009. Use freely for educational purposes with credits included.