Twitter is a microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages called tweets. Tweets are posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the user's profile page. Although tweets are publicly visible by default, senders can choose to restrict their messages to just their followers. Users subscribe to other users' tweets – or follow them.
Educators frequently use Twitter to share resources and ideas, creating a "personal learning network" of people who follow each other. Twitter is also used by teachers to communicate with students and their families.
Twitter
Twitter is a microblogging service that enables its users to send and read messages called tweets. Tweets are posts of up to 140 characters displayed on the user's profile page. Although tweets are publicly visible by default, senders can choose to restrict their messages to just their followers. Users subscribe to other users' tweets – or follow them.
Educators frequently use Twitter to share resources and ideas, creating a "personal learning network" of people who follow each other. Twitter is also used by teachers to communicate with students and their families.
Getting Started
Set up a free account at http://twitter.com/Sue Waters offers advice and tips for new users.
A Teacher's Guide to Twitter and a video tutorial, Twitter 102
10 Steps for Teachers New to Twitter
7 Step Quick Start Guide for New Tweeters
Examples of how educators are using Twittter
Steven Anderson's posts about why and how to Twitter He also created a comprehensive Educator's Guide to Twitter
Blog post describes twitter use in an elementary school, with rules and posters
NC Historian uses Twitter to portray Civil War life Her Civilian Wartime blog. tells the rest of the story for each tweet. Follow her at http://twitter.com/#!/CivilianWartime
5 Reasons I Use Twitter
5 Ways Twitter has Changed Education
Twitter - A Teaching and Learning Tool
How to take part in a Chat on Twitter - from Cybraryman
Jane Hart's guide How to Use Twitter for Social Learning
NY Times OpEd "Teaching to the Text Message"
World Wide Tweets
Ten Tweets that Shook the World - a slide show from PCMagazine