Twitter A how-to guide. What is twitter? “Twitter is a real-time information network that connects...

Twitter

A how-to guide

What is twitter?

“Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting. Simply find the account you find most compelling and follow the conversations.” (1)

“At the heart of Twitter are small bursts of information called Tweets. Each Tweet is 140 characters long, but don’t let the small size fool you—you can discover a lot in a little space. You can see photos, videos, and conversations directly in Tweets to get the whole story at a glance, and all in one place.” (1)

Why Twitter?

It is a place you can get small tid-bits of information fast.

It is free and open to everyone who has an email.

It is accessible from anywhere; even your smart phone or tablet.

You don’t even have to Tweet to get information, just “follow” others.

Twitter for Students

Teachers can post resources for students; articles, websites, videos, pictures.

You can also use as a homework assignment by posting a discussion topic and having students respond.

Students can also post questions for their teacher or other students.

Twitter for Teachers

Teachers can follow people or groups that would be resources for their classroom.

School or District

Professional Organizations

Teacher’s Union

Content specific resources

Who do I follow?

As a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher I teach a variety of classes: Life Skills, Money Skills, Parenting, Child Development, Relationships, Fashion & Interior Design.

Here is a screen shot of people/groups I can follow that would apply to my position. (2)

Who uses Twitter?

Forbes magazine did a study and found that the most people who use twitter are women in their 20s. The next slide has more specific details. (3)

Anyone (yes anyone) can use Twitter.Most use Twitter to follow friends or celebrities.The top five most popular Twitter users are Lady Gaga (25,936,686 followers), Justin Beiber (23,604,613), Katy Perry (21,626,988), Rihanna (21,005,783), and Britney Spears (21,005,783). (4)

Why do I have Twitter?

Quite honestly, I have been using Twitter to follow only 1 group… Boone County Schools.

This is the district I teach in and they will post any important information on their Twitter, such as snow days.

I typically receive a Twitter notification on my smart phone about 45 minutes before receiving a phone call from my principal notifying me of an hour delay or closing due to snow.

After doing this how-to I have found many others that I can follow, which you saw in previous slides.

Why not Twitter?

Twitter is not the place for large assignments, you are only allowed 140 characters.

You cannot upload or post documents for your students.

Twitter is public, unless you change your settings to private, but each student would have to do this.

Examples

The following slides are screen shots of people or groups that are on Twitter.

Step 1: go to www.twitter.com

Step 2: for new users fill out the information under “New to Twitter”, then click “Sign up for

Twitter”

Step 3: Choose a name from their suggestions or create your own, click “Create my account”

Step 4: Follow the on-screen instructions to begin tweeting.

Step 5: Start tweeting by typing a message here…

Now you’re tweeting!

Step 6: Find more people or groups you know by searching for them.

More information

Watch this video to see how to use hashtags (#) to see what’s trending. (9)

Twitter’s Help Center has how-to’s for everything on Twitter. (10)

Resources

1. Twitter. http://twitter.com/about 2. Following. https://twitter.com/#!/following 3. Forbes Magazine. Happy Birthday Twitter: Twitter Turns 6!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/sabrinaparsons/2012/03/21/happy-birthday-twitter-twitter-turns-6/

4. Twitter Counter. http://twittercounter.com/ 5. Sarah Steffen, Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/following 6. Brad Steffen, Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/brad_2325 7. Dave Ramsey, Twitter. https://twitter.com/#!/DaveRamsey 8. Boone County Schools. https://twitter.com/#!/Boone_County9. YouTube, “Twitter: Yours to discover”. http://youtu.be/0qqDy5BmYKE 10. Twitter Basics. https://support.twitter.com/groups/31-twitter-basics