Day 44: Twitter

Today an educator asked me to explain why he should join Twitter. I took a few minutes to gather my thoughts before responding with my reasons and a few resources for getting started. I thought I would share my response for those who have wondered what the hype is all about...

Why I love Twitter:

• a powerful tool for sharing and conversations - Sylvia Duckworth’s infographic Should You Use Twitter?
• help students find and create awesome stuff - check out Find the Awesome, Create the Awesome by George Couros
• follow @SCDSB_LandT to explore and discuss learning and teaching ideas, then try searching hashtags (Guide to Twitter Hashtags) or participating in a twitter chat (see the Best Twitter Chats for Teachers in 2015)
• read about and share what is happening in our schools using #SCDSB and follow @SCDSB_Schools

Resources for getting started:

• create a Twitter account using your name (Mr.Kemp’s 10 Steps to the Perfect Educational Twitter Account)
• an Infographic that summarizes Twitter for Educators
• The Ultimate Twitter Guidebook for Teachers
• establish a Twitter routine in the classroom and with your professional account
• try TweetDeck to follow your favourite hashtags

TweetDeck

Tips for classroom Twitter accounts:

• have a conversation with your administrator about how and why you will use Twitter with your students
• share with parents how you plan to use Twitter with students
• consider privacy when choosing a classroom Twitter handle
• before sharing student personal information ensure their media release form is signed
• students need to be 13 to create an account
• consider how you will incorporate digital citizenship - ex: check hashtags before including them in a tweet, giving credit for pictures and resources you share.