Twitter…so what’s the big deal?

By the end of the session you will: • Have created a Twitter account and sent your first Tweet • Start to follow your Peers • Learn Tweeting etiquette: know your @ from your # • Devised 5 relevant tweeting strategies to try by week 3, for

instance Twittories • Evaluated the session using twitter • Have access to relevant support materials via the wiki

Follow these easy steps:

@FiltonP4L #P4LTwitter

 Set up a twitter account

 

Find and follow FiltonP4L Send me a Tweet @filtonP4L #P4LTwitter

Not convinced: Here are some reasons to start Tweeting

Direct Tweet: Teachers and students can contact each other through direct Tweets without having to share phone numbers. Collaborate on projects: When working together on projects, set up a group using an app like Tweetworks to facilitate communication between everyone working together. Make announcements: Teachers can send out reminders about upcoming tests, project due dates, or any news that needs to be shared via Twitter. Brainstorm: The ability to share ideas as they occur any time and anywhere creates an excellent opportunity for brainstorming on class topics. Share interesting websites: Both teachers and students can post interesting websites that are relevant to their class. Daily learning. Twitter feeds happen much more frequently than the two or three times a day a student is in class, therefore using Twitter in the classroom means there is a daily opportunity for learning. Class Projects and Discovering Content: From learning how to use Twitter to finding useful information for class to practicing a foreign language, Twitter provides creative opportunities for learning.

Practice brevity. English teachers / EFL can assign stories that must be Tweeted within the 140 character limit to practice writing with succinctness. Twittories: Another great English class activity; participate in creating a story where each person can add 140 characters to contribute to the story as a whole. Keep up with politicians: Many politicians are on Twitter. A political science or current events class can get real-time updates from politicians. Follow mentors. If teachers or other key figures in your field of study are on Twitter, follow them to keep up with their research and activities. Follow an idea, word, or event. Send "track ___" with whatever word, event, or idea you want to follow in the blank, and you will receive Tweets that contain that keyword. Have a Twitter treasure hunt. Follow the example given here to create a treasure hunt. Instead of winning a prize, students complete the assignment after collecting all the information necessary for the hunt. Twitter search. The search tool on Twitter will immediately provide you with any Tweets including your keyword. Give it a try to see what you may discover. TwitPic: This app lets you share photos on Twitter, which can be useful for sharing visuals in class projects.

Bit.ly: Shorten URLs so that you use fewer characters when sharing web links with this tool. TweetScan: Get Tweets emailed to you based on keywords you select with this tool. TweetDeck: This app allows you to create groups of Tweets to better manage all the information you receive. TwitterFone: For those on the go, this tool allows you to leave a voice message that will be turned into a Tweet. Finding People in Academia to Follow: If you need help finding teachers, students, or other people associated with your field of interest, check out the list in the FE Twitter guide (QR code on page (1)). Follow Fridays. This popular activity of recommending others to follow provides you an excellent opportunity to find teachers, among others. Get Ready for Life After College: For Twittering students nearing the end of their college experience and getting ready to move to a career, these tips and tools are invaluable.

Establish a positive web presence. Twittering in college offers students an opportunity to establish a personal web presence that will help after completing their college course when the job search begins based on work at school. Just be sure not to post about any crazy parties or other activities so you don’t negate the positive work you’ve built. Twitterjobcast: Search for jobs posted on Twitter by keyword or geographic location with this tool.