Creating a PLN using Twitter

(or how to crowdsource your learning)

This session will give you the tools you need to understand, experience and effectively use Twitter as a professional learning tool, and in your classroom teaching. Focused on practical, simple experiences, I will show you the value of this amazing learning tool! (It is recommended participants sign up for a Twitter account before attending)

Derek Keenan! Rocky View Schools @mrdkeenan mrkeenan@gmail.com mrkeenan.ca

Social Professional Learning

Masters Capstone focused on Social Professional Learning Have been using Twitter as an educator for over four years. We will come back to this model:

Two Directions

First I will discuss how Twitter has become an exceptional professional learning tool for teachers. If we have time, I will give some quick tips on integrating Twitter into student learning.

What is a PLN?

Personalized Learning Network

!

Educational Tool
!

Social Media & Technology

!

Expanded Network
!

24 - 7

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a micro-blogging site that allows for simple sharing of text, videos, pictures and more It is simple to use and very informative, which is why it has gained popularity in recent years.

a short instructional video

Basic functions on Twitter

Tweeting - Once your account is set up, you can type in this box and speak your mind to the world, 140 characters at a time!

Basic functions on Twitter

@ Tweeting to people - Use the @ symbol in

front of a Twitter username to include that person in your comment.

A Tweet
Tweet not directed at a particular person Tweet directed at a particular person
Be aware that ALL of your followers see every tweet you send. If you want to send privately, you will send a Direct Message (DM).
!

Do not tweet anything you would not shout from the rooftops.

Interacting With a Tweet

If you like a tweet you read, want to read it later, or keep it as a resource, Click Favorite If you read a tweet and think your followers would like to read or should read, Click Retweet
If you read a tweet and would like to write something back to the tweep, Click Reply

Basic functions on Twitter

# Hashtags - Think of a hashtag as a bookshelf

for Twitter, it organizes subjects and topics the 21st Century Dewey Decimal system!

Basic functions on Twitter

Twitter Search Supports you in nding topics of interest, you can search whatever topic you wish. You can also search hashtags and usernames

Twitter Terms

Retweet (RT) sharing a tweet someone else has posted, with no changes. Modied Tweet (MT) sharing a tweet someone else has posted with an addition or deletion. Direct Message (DM) this allows you to tweet an individual user without other followers or users seeing it.

What are teachers using Twitter for?

Purpose

What do you want to get out of Twitter? This is what I was missing when I rst started. Start with a question.

Comfort

Use walkthroughs Have a Twitter Date with friends and invite someone who uses it Start slow and Lurk Follow rst
Lurking is a term in social media for following conversations or chats without participating, not for being creepy.

Joining Conversations

Once you have followed some chats: #NTchat #Edchat #Satchat #nT2t you will understand the structure generally works by Question and Answer (Q1.A1)

Lets Try It

This always depends on the network, but we will try and have a quick chat right now. Using your account, post a message that uses the hashtag #twitterPL Do a Twitter search for the tag #twitterPL I am going to ask a question Q1 in the chat, reply by using A1 and the #twitterPL hashtag

Cultivating Connections

Have conversations with those you follow, and your followers. Discussions are often asynchronous Offer suggestions for #ff (follow Friday) and suggest resources you know, including users

Reciprocity

Twitter is generally a very positive place, some common courtesies:

Follow those who follow you Thank people for follows and retweets Share your expertise with others

Resources

http://www.angelamaiers.com/2011/07/twitterpresentation-and-resources.html Angela has been working with Twitter for many years and has an EXCELLENT collection of resources to get you started. @AngelaMaiers @cybraryman1 is another great resource, his collection of educational Twitter chats is incredible http://cybraryman.com/twitter.html

Common Abbreviations

Because of the 140 character limit, many users use abbreviations. Here are a few, if you see one on Twitter you dont understand, ask someone.

Ts - Teachers Ss - Students Ps - Parents

Some Twitter Educators

!

Follow other Educators:

@MathMinds @BurgessDave @CybraryMan1 @fourishingkids @angelamaiers @Joe_Mazza

@TonyVincent
!

@tomwhitby
!

@JaimeVanderg
!

@teachingwthsoul
!

@Alicekeeler
!

@adoyle98
!

@felixjacomino
!

@gcouros
!

@NMHS_Principal

@joebower

Using Twitter in the Classroom

Twitter can also be a great resource in the classroom. Keep in mind that even though there is no age requirement stated for Twitter, their policies say the service is meant for those 13 and older

Connection with Parents

Twitter can be an excellent way of sharing information with home about activities at school using a class #hashtag can be a useful tool remember what weve already discussed about privacy and careful posting

Students on Twitter

If your students are interested, they can use Twitter to backchannel in the classroom I have also sent students out into the real world to tweet back information we used the next day in class Colleges and Universities are using Twitter to support new teachers through chats like #ntchat

Special thanks!
to Angela Maiers @AngelaMaiers, Jenny Nauman @PrincipalNauman, and Kristin Gray @MathMinds! for their wonderful resources and support.

10 things you didnt know about Twitter

Creating a PLN using Twitter

(or how to crowdsource your learning)
This session will give you the tools you need to understand, experience and effectively use Twitter as a professional learning tool, and in your classroom teaching. Focused on practical, simple experiences, I will show you the value of this amazing learning tool! (It is recommended participants sign up for a Twitter account before attending)

Derek Keenan! Rocky View Schools @mrdkeenan mrkeenan@gmail.com mrkeenan.ca