Twitter+Page

__**What is Twitter?**__

Twitter is a social networking tool that can be applied and adapted to the educational setting. Twitter can be used as a professional development tool; or, as a classroom tool to assist in discussion, lecture, homework, and activities. Technically, Twitter is considered microblogging -- as each entry, or "tweet," is only 140 characters.

To learn more click here: Twitter @ Wikipedia


 * __The Basics:__**
 * Sign up! It's **FREE**! (There is a privacy option. You can set your profile to private; and you have the authority to approve/deny followers.)
 * **Tweet** something: in a 140 characters or less say what is on your mind about education, your classroom, etc.
 * **Follow** people by searching their full name or primary email address. When you locate who you are looking for, click **follow**. When the bar is highlighted in green, with a check mark, you are now successfully following that person. Encourage others to follow your educational journey/life!
 * You also have a **Home** page. This is your personal timeline. Everything you tweet will be posted here. Your tweets will show up your followers' timelines.
 * If you want to **mention** followers in your tweets, use the **@** symbol. For example: **@namehere** I want to know more about how you help struggling readers become motivated? (Sometimes you have to use "texting" grammar when tweeting. Being limited to 140 characters is tougher than it looks.)
 * If you want to **follow** educational/professional groups, or **highlight** a popular educational topic/idea, use the **#** symbol when tweeting. For example: Today in my class, we learned how to use our **#rightbrainthinking**. Because you used the **#** symbol, now your tweet is trending on a page dedicated solely to #rightbrainthinking. Now, everyone's tweets around the globe, with this **"hashtag,"** are linked to one page.
 * There is a **message** link, which is your inbox. You can send messages and communicate with others privately here.
 * You can **favorite** tweets that you really like! These favorited tweets can be belong to anybody on Twitter. You are not limited to just favoriting your own tweets. You can favorite any tweet you have access to; unless, the person has their profile set to private.
 * The **Who To Follow** link is a tool for you to find interests and others to follow.

Still confused? Check out this 5-minute tutorial: Extra Twitter Help


 * __How can I use Twitter as a professional development tool?__**

You can connect with other colleagues at your school, in your neighborhood, or anywhere across the globe. Essentially, you choose your circle of online friends. Twitter makes networking with other educational leaders and professionals seamless. When you choose to follow other educators, policy makers, or people who simply inspire, you are creating a space where you can continually be influenced by their ideas. Too, you can communicate with them on a daily basis.

__**How can I use Twitter in the classroom?**__

//The following examples will be based on a English/L.A. curriculum. However, using Twitter in the classroom can be modified to any content area.//

Homework: Have students tweet about a book you are reading in class. They must post 6 tweets: 2-direct quotes, 2-tweets per direct quote explaining the significance of the quote in relevance to themes/class discussion. Teachers can quickly check to see if students completed the assignment by checking the timeline. (Twitter has a **list** option where you can place followers on select lists. I.e. making lists for your classes.)

Classwork: During class discussion of a book, have students respond to an initial tweet by the teacher. For example, teacher tweets a question; students are allowed 5 minutes to discuss and respond via Twitter. The teacher monitors the activity during this 5 minutes, favoriting tweets to discuss in depth as a class. The class can then analyze and synthesize the information.

//**Follow these Educators/Teacher Leaders:**//
 * **#engchat**
 * **#Edchat**
 * **@newlit** : New Literacies Collaborative
 * **@web20classroom** : Steven Anders, #Edchat Co-Creator, #140Conf Character, Speaker/Blogger/Teacher, Social Media Aficionado
 * **@NBPTS** : National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
 * **@FreeResources** : Federal Ed Resources
 * **@usedgov** : US Department of Education