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Ms E. GregorySchool District #74 (Gold Trail)

April 2011

Learning Intentions

• To learn how social media can be used:– As a communication tool– For professional development

• To learn about social media in the context of digital citizenship

• To explore Twitter• To ask questions!• The Shape of the Workshop…

Start with a shout out

• A good way to illustrate Twitter as a communication tool– Can show the power of the personal learning network

(PLN) and the reach of a simple tweet

• A shout out is when you ask others to say hi and tell where they’re from– Sometimes a simple question is asked too

What is Twitter?

• A social networking and microblogging service• Allows users to send and read messages called ‘tweets’

– 140 characters• Based in San Francisco• Started in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey as a way to

communicate within a company• Users worldwide (~200 million)• 65 million tweets a day• 800 000 searches per day• Replacing (?) Google as a way to search

Why sign up?

• Practical, efficient communication tool– A major way to find out what’s happening

• Death of Bin Laden• Canadian Election #elxn41

• Practical, powerful professional development– Learn anytime– Good way to find resources– Follow conference tweets #edtechbc, #iste, #itsummit

• Great way to connect with like-minded people

What about teachers/administrators?

• Role modeling to other staff and students

• Show people you’re a learner

• More and more educators, in particular, administrators, who are very active social media users

• Become part of the conversation!

How does it work?

1. Sign up2. Fill out your profile with purpose (the world can

see!)– Important if you want people to follow you, it’s the start

of the trust building– Link to your blog or website

3. Add a photo or avatar (think personal branding)4. Start by sending out some tweets!5. Find some people you’d like to follow– Choose with purpose

Some basics

• Think before you tweet– anyone can see it!

• To send a tweet to someone specific, put @ in front of their twitter name or click reply

• To send a message only to someone who follows you, use D and a space or click direct message– These are private– You or the other person can delete them

More basics

• To retweet is to send out someone else’s tweet crediting them by the RT: in front (or click retweet)– A form of flattery and a way to spread information

• Can block and report spammers or people you don’t want to have access to you on twitter (they can still see your tweets)

Who to Follow?

Cybraryman's PLN Stars

Wefollow.com

• Start with a purpose, that will determine who you follow– Professional?– Personal?

• You can start by following a few people you know/trust • Then see who they follow• Use others lists to help you too

Twitter Clients

• Much easier to use than the Twitter site itself• Real time updates• Designed to manage your feeds• Tweetdeck• Seismic• Hootsuite• Twhirl

Hashtags

• Popular Education Hashtags• Type a # and then a word to create• used to mark keywords or topics in a Tweet• created as a way to categorize messages• to filter your twitter feed (#edchat)• to search for information (#canucks)• Good way to follow pro-d events – #bcssa, #edtechbc

• Great way to find people to follow on ‘Follow Fridays #FF

Helpful sites:

• A Twitteraholic’s Guide to tweets, hashtags, and all things Twitter

• twitter4teachers

• Why Educators Should Be Using Twitter

• Twitter Handbook for Teachers

• Twitter for Teachers

From my viewpoint

• Transformed recent conference experience

• Blown my professional mindset wide open

• I don’t feel isolated anymore

• Enhancing personal/professional relationships

• Helps me be a better teacher & a better mom

• It takes time, try to get following 100 people or send 100 tweets

Thank yous & References

• My PLN, especially @gcouros & @remi_collins• M. Munroe for organizing

• Wikipedia• http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfilej/2397881577/• One on One with Jack Dorsey accessed May 10

http://www.flickr.com/photos/democonference/4991585134/

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevegarfield/4247757731/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/keiya/3255575238/• http://www.flickr.com/photos/jahw/3629299364/