Twitter in the Classroom: My Evolution to a New Personal Learning Network

Here are the steps I went through as an educator discovering the power ofTwitter

1.  I love Facebook, but I don’t have time for that Twitter thing. It is just for following stars and I am not like that. I am already spending way too much time on Facebook. I have papers to grade after all.

2.  Why does everyone keep talking about Twitter? Why are there all these Twitter icons on the TV? Okay, let me check this out. I think I will follow Ashton Kutcher, Oprah and Tom Brady.

3.  I have to admit, I like knowing that Tom Brady is on his way to practice and that Oprah has a new Life Class coming out…okay I feel like I am in the know because of Twitter.  This might be an interesting ride.

4.  Wait can it be true? I now like Twitter better than Facebook!?!  I am realizing they are two different entities. No one on Twitter is telling me they are “craving hot buttered popcorn.” The discourse on Twitter is actually adding to my knowledge base. I am checking Twitter now three times a day. And someone just retweeted what I said. That is COOL! I now understand what all the icons mean and I can follow the Twitter symbols to read a message.

5.  What are these hashtags? #oprah?  These are actually very powerful! No doubt these can be used in the classroom to impact student learning. Am I the only person who sees the unlimited possibilities of this tool for teaching?

6.  Wow! These #hashtags get you to groups or learning communities that are interested in same thing that you are…and they are talking about inspiring, interesting ideas. It is like a think tank in my iphone. I am having talks with leaders in my fields of interest and learning so much. Time to tell a few more friends…this is way too cool not to share. I am taking part in Tweet Chats and using TweetChat to help me keep track of my new learning communities. This is so exciting.

7.  What? My school district just said we can use Twitter and Facebook! Wow pretty forward thinking. I am glad I work here! Ahh, but not for middle school? But wait, it is so powerful…I might have to show people why we should use this even for young learners. Let me start by presenting at a district wide meeting and then talk with my parents at Back To School Night. Next step…permission slips.

8.  I am at a CUE conference and everyone is tweeting and using Twitter in the classroom. There are back conversations happening and I am getting VIP knowledge of the best classes to attend. I found out about TweetDeck and I am ALL IN…my students will be next!

9.  I am using TweetDeck to save searches and chat groups. I am pretty much just into Tweet chats now #edchat #edtech. I have new friends or Twpeople I am sharing ideas with – I love this! I can’t wait to see where this will take me…and my students. I think I will share this article with one of my new Twpeople…she was asking about Twitter in the classroom after all.

10. You tell me? Please