Twitter

=**TWITTER**= Twitter is a social networking site where users are able to send and read messages known as tweets. Tweets allow users to post their thoughts, feelings, or emotions in 140 characters or less.

This is a [|TED] video on Twitter from Evan Williams. It explains where Twitter came from, how it has evolved, and where it might be going. media type="custom" key="3407548"

=SWOT ANALYSIS=
 * **Strengths:**
 * Builds classroom community when all students are involved in updating, checking, and maintaining Twitter account
 * With use of Public Timeline, students gain a better understanding of the important issues occurring in the world
 * Twitter allows for instant feedback between teachers and students
 * Allows for all students to participate in discussions
 * Free source for teachers and students
 * Fast and easy to implement
 * Students must think carefully to communicate effectively in 140 characters
 * Twitter feedback sends updates, statistics,and news
 * Accounts can be setup so that participants are invited into one's network, helps reduce chance of inappropriate content
 * **Weaknesses:**
 * Twitter only has a 140 character limit per “tweet”; Sometimes the 140 word limit may limit self-expression
 * Privacy issues with other people who are not part of the class
 * Some content on Twitter may not be appropriate for school aged students
 * Poor archiving of previous posts
 * Twitter may be blocked by school districts
 * Some school districts do not permit teachers to interact with students through Twitter
 * Unable to manage inappropriate content


 * **Opportunities:**
 * Allows students to connect with peers and teachers in a new way
 * Students, teachers, parents, and others involved are able to learn about the happenings in the classroom
 * Teachers can take advantage of teachable moments from student posts
 * Teachers can connect with students and families outside the classroom setting
 * Students are able to access a forum they are familiar with and integrate it into the classroom
 * Build personal learning networks
 * Teachers can network based on same interests
 * Great resources for unlimited resources globally
 * Ability to use the '#' tag to communicate with larger groups of tweeters
 * [|Blog entry] on how to use # tag
 * [|Hashtag.org] points you to videos, chats, and feeds of a particular hastag
 * [|Tagalus] - a directory of hashtags
 * Use [|Twitter Search] to find tweets and tweeters using any set of key words or tags


 * **Threats:**
 * Students may become/take part in cyberbullying their peers.
 * Others that are not involved in the class may target underage students.
 * Private information may be exposed to a wide range of people.
 * Some content may be inappropriate for younger students.
 * Unable to manage inappropriate content
 * Managing time to keep on twittering!
 * Beware of how much you reveal (A man's house was robbed because burglars knew he was "In Hawaii for a week!")
 * Some stalkers see Twitter as an invitation into your life


 * Ideas for the Classroom:**
 * Can use Twitter as a way to post important information from the classroom (homework, assignments, activities).
 * Can be used to post announcements for families to see.
 * Students can ask the teacher questions that they may not want to share with the whole class (anonymous factor).
 * Teacher can post a question for students to answer as a form of an assessment.
 * The teacher can take a poll on certain topics or contents concerning the entire class.
 * Create an ongoing story built upon by each new participant. This would be great as a foreign language project as well!
 * Develop pen pals, keep in touch with friends, family or new acquaintances both professionally and socially
 * Teacher can pose question for students to solve; students can have discourse on it, teacher can see who is participating and responding to the class discussion
 * [|21 Interesting Ways to use Twitter in the Classroom]
 * [|100 tips, applications, and resources for Teachers on Twitter]

Examples of Use in the Classroom

 * http://twitter.com//manyvoices
 * http://academhack.outsidethetext.com/home/2008/twitter-for-academia/
 * [|Twitter4Teachers] wiki page to help teachers connect with other teachers via Twitter
 * [|Twitter for Personal Development]

=

= =**Resources**=

Twitter in Plain English: @http://www.commoncraft.com/twitter
Youth Twitter: __http://www.youthtwitter.com/__ Twitter Directories: (find other people with similar interests to follow)
 * __[|WeFollow - define three tags to describe you>]__
 * __[|A list] of great edutweeters to get your started__
 * __[|Twitter4Teachers] wiki page to help teachers connect with other teachers via Twitter__
 * __[|Twibs] - directory of businesses on Twitter__

=Accessories= __[|Twitter100]__ __Collects last tweet from 100 of the people you are following.__ __[|TweetAdder]__ __Automates Twitter promotion & marketing (more followers)__ __[|Tweet Scan]__ __Search Twitter content by keyword__ __[|Terraminds]__ __Search for keywords in messages and users__ __[|Twitter Badges]__ __Put Twitter on your Blog__ __[|GeoTwitter]__ __Maps real-time public twitter feeds__ __[|My Tweet Map]__ __Creates a real-time map of Tweets from those you follow as you receive them__ __[|Tweet Stats]__ __View statistics about your Twitter use__ __[|Twitter Mobile]__ __Access Twitter from your cell phone__ __[|Twitter Mail]__ __Post updates to Twitter via email__ __[|Twitter Education Pack]__ __Twitter Packs divide users by category (Invite Key is "project")__ __[|Twitter Clients]__ __Allows you to view Twitter updates outside of your browser__ __[|Twitter Downloads]__ __More Twitter clients__ __[|Twitter Karma]__ __Differentiate from those you are following and those who are following you__ __[|Twitter Fan Wiki]__ __Lots of Twitter resources__ __[|Ten Ways I Learned to Use Twitter]__ __Blog post by Dan York__ __[|Twitter Reminders]__ __Twitter reminds you to water your plants__ __[|TwTask]__ __Creates task from Twitter__ __[|Twitter Mosaic]__ __Make a mosaic from your Twitter followers__ __[|HootSuite]__ __HootSuite is the ultimate Twitter toolbox. With HootSuite, you can manage multiple Twitter profiles, pre-schedule tweets, and measure your success__ __[|WWWitter]__ __Read and comment on Twitter discussions on any webpage__ =

= =Anecdotal Accounts=


 * Experiences with Twitter** - Natalia C.

I’ve been using twitter for about a year now and really like it. I primarily use it as a means to remain connected with my friends and followers. There have been times where I have also used it to discuss important issues and state my opinion on important issues/topics that are occurring. The feature that I love the most is the instant replies and the ongoing participation. At the moment, my Twitter account is primarily for personal use but I began to explore ways in which it could be incorporated into the classrooms. I found an article that provides over 100 ways in which educators can use Twitter in their classrooms with students. The article can be located here: []. Although there are countless ways that this social networking tool can be used and be a positive educational tool, unfortunately it is blocked in many schools so I’m sure it’s something that I’d have to keep in mind when incorporating it.