Tweet Tweet Tweet
For me, Twitter has been such an amazing tool for professional development and getting connected to teachers all across the world. I'm always amazed by the quality of resources that are shared along with the speed in which the most current information is delivered. Twitter is, by far, my favorite way to network with others. I started my Twitter account in 2009 and didn't start using it until 2011. I now couldn't imagine not using it!
Why Use Twitter?
Twitter is like Facebook on steroids. If you can imagine the stream of posts that you read on Facebook, multiply that by 100. Then, consider all of those posts to be of high quality content - related specifically to education. Wow - what a resource!
Here is a wonderful post by Chris Betcher on the powerful benefits of Twitter for educators. I hope that you take the four minutes or so to read it and click around on some of the provided links. I couldn't have summarized the benefits any better. Thanks, Chris for the wonderful resource!
What's the difference between Facebook and Twitter?
Keep in mind that this is simply my opinion... I think that any blogger should use both for cross-posting their content updates. Doing so simply reaches a larger audience. Having stated that, if you decide to use Facebook professionally, I would set up a different page for your blog. I have my personal Facebook account for friends and family; however, I've set up (on the same account) an additional page in which I post updates for my blog, Kleinspiration.
I think that Facebook, for most teachers, is more popular. I think Twitter has more potential, professionally, but includes a slight learning curve due to the language and manner in which to post and interact. Once you get the hang of it, Twitter is addicting and powerful! For me, Facebook is simply more personal and Twitter is more professional.
Twitter Basics:
Setting up an Account
It's free. Click Here. Follow the 'new to Twitter, sign up' steps.
Once you set up an account, write down your username and password in a safe place.
When you tell others your username, include the '@' symbol. For example, my Twitter name is @mimadisonklein
How to send a Tweet (post)
Once you login, you will see your 'home page.' You can Tweet (type a message) in the white box, under 'what's happening.' Be careful, you can only type 140 characters (letters/symbols/spaces). You can type anything you'd like. Most often, if I find a good website, like Teaching Blog Addict, I would Tweet the following message:
Teaching Blog Addict: great site for teachers (tons of resources and give-aways) http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/
Symbols and Such:
RT = ReTweet
if you like something someone else already posted, you can further pass along their tweet by hovering your mouse cursor over their message... you will see a 'retweet' option - click it
@ = address (in my mind) yes, it stands for 'at'
if you'd like to reply, or to address, someone, you use the @ symbol... for example, if you'd like to address me on Twitter, in the white box (under 'what's happening' on your homepage) you would write: @mimadisonklein followed by your message or comment -- then, when I click on my @Mentions (right beside Timeline on my homepage on the left side) I can see who all has addressed me specifically. Then, I can directly reply to them if necessary. So, check your @Mentions often to see if anyone has specifically addressed you or mentioned you. Keep in mind - these are public - anyone can view these!
# = Hashtag (yes, it's the pound or number sign)
For a Twitter newbie, there are 2 basic reasons to using a Hashtag.
1. if you're at a conference, oftentimes they will offer a hashtag (use this to follow tweets specific to your conference) usually everyone at your conference who is on twitter will be posting about sessions, give-aways, resources, etc...
2. if you'd like to join a specific chat, you will need to know the day of the week and the time of the chat and the hashtag being used (more about Twitter Chats below... keep reading)
How do I send a private message on Twitter?
If using the @ symbol to address someone in a reply ends up being public, how do I send someone a private message? Simply send them a message... those are private. Up top on your Twitter screen, you will notice: Home, Profile, Message, and Who to Follow Simply select Message and follow the steps. I often click on the person I wish to send a message to and then send a message from their profile page. Once on their profile page, you'll notice an envelope below their bio. Click it and another screen window will pop up for you to write your 140 character private message.
Twitter Chats:
Twitter chats are like online, live discussions. There are certain chats that I really like and try to make it to, virtually. Click Here for a list of Twitter Chats (times, hashtags to use, and days they occur).
Twitter Chats are usually an hour long. The time goes quickly. When you find a chat you're interested in attending, simply login to Twitter during that time. In the 'search box,' you can search for that Twitter Chat by using the hashtag (#) followed by the title of the chat. For example, search #ntchat after your Tweet... push enter and your message/post/Tweet will appear in that discussion.
How to Build your PLN (professional learning network):
In order to get exposure for your Tweets, you need to build a following. If no one is following you, no one will see your Tweets. My recommendation is to select other teachers and people in education to follow. Once you click follow on their profile, they will receive notification that you're following them. It is good Twitter etiquette to follow people back. After all, we're all working together to build a network and benefit education as a whole.
How do you know who to follow?
First, if you are on Twitter and post about information that you think would benefit others in education, please leave a comment on this post with your Twitter name so that we can all start to follow you and build our network.
By clicking here, you can see my list of people I follow. Feel free to start following them. Also, click here to see a list that I set up for educators that tweet a lot of quality information; feel free to follow them, too.
When you first start to follow a lot of people, Twitter will 'cap' the number of people you can follow until you start to get more followers. Once more people start to follow you, you will be able to start following more people. Thus, I recommend starting off by carefully selecting quality people to follow. You can see their bio so that you're able to determine if you think their tweets will be beneficial to your practice. I recommend to follow as many people as possible... when you're capped by Twitter, wait until your followers grow in number, then start following more and more people. Repeat this process often so that you always continue to grow your network. The more people in your network, the more exposure you'll have for the Tweets you post.
How does Twitter help my Blog?
When you post on your blog, Tweet the topic and the link to Twitter. Your network can click on your link to connect to your blog - increasing your blog exposure. You can sync your Twitter and your Blog so that each time you post a new item on your blog, a Tweet will automatically be sent via your Twitter account. Click Here to see how to set this up, thanks Jerome.
Closing Thoughts:
If you have questions, feel free to leave a comment below.
If you'd like to add your Twitter name in a comment, others can add you to their PLN on Twitter.
I'd love to have you as a part of my Twitter PLN, please follow me at: @mimadisonklein
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