A Twitter Challenge
VCS Teachers-
It's time to leave the nest!
A Twitter Challenge
VCS Teachers-
It's time to leave the nest!
What is Twitter?
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables users to send and read "tweets", which are text messages limited to 140 characters. Registered users can read and post tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. (definition from Wikipedia)
What can Twitter offer an educator?
August 2012- the opening date for my Twitter account, @techmom76 I was in Chicago for my first PARCC ELC meeting. @EducatorLeader Twitter was all the buzz. We even had a Twitter 101 session. I tweeted my entire my trip but lost momentum as I returned to my everyday life. The more conferences I went to, the more people I followed to be able to keep in touch with organizations that I belonged to and get information long after the conference ended. @achievethecore @4flstandards @AFTteach
But one thing I failed to see value in, was what was happening on Twitter right here in my own county. It all happened one day when I got the alert that said “Jim Tager is following you” Really?? Of course I followed him back and it was at that time that I started to see what was happening here in on Twitter right here in Volusia. Instantly I started connecting with other VCS teachers to collaborate and haven’t stopped since then.
Twitter is often referred to as the "Best PD Out There" and I'm here to tell you it's true! The secret is finding the right Twitter Chat and you'll be off to the races! Think of a Twitter Chat as like an online gathering where educators can "meet" at a designated place/time to discuss a predetermined topic. Groups like #4thchat (there's a chat for every grade level!) are fourth grade teachers from around the world that jump on Twitter every Monday night at 8pm. Teachers from other schools like Spirit’s Mr. Vaughan (@tommyv26) is guest moderating #TMchat (Thinking Maps chat) last night (2/8) at 10pm! Just this weekend I participated in a chat for teachers new to Twitter #NT2t The more chats you participate in, the more Tweeps you find! (combination of Twitter and Peeps usually referring to the followers of the person using the word.
In a very short time, I've made connections with people all over the world on educational topics. Twitter has inspired me to impact education and create change beyond the walls of the school. I have shared my thoughts, opinions, ideas, learning, and the awesome things happening at Citrus Grove and in Volusia with my Twitter PLN (Personal Learning Network). Twitter's potential has no end, and if you couldn't tell, I'm excited to share it with you! A HUGE thank you to @srhulsman for sharing her challenge to get us started!
How do I get started?
* Setup your account
* Profile-Good profiles tell about you & your interest
* Picture-Yes, you need some kind of picture. NO EGGHEADS
Basic Tweet--general outbound message to all of my followers. May include a picture or a link to click on for more information.
Reply or @mention tweet--starts with the other person's twitter handle. This tweet only appears in the other person's twitter feed and people who follow both of us.
RT = Retweet: rebroadcast of another person's tweet
MT = Modified Tweet: when you want to RT something but need to delete/modify a portion to add your thoughts
DM = Direct Messages: a 140-character email. Can be read only by that person. You can only DM someone who follows you. This avoids you getting spam
Hashtags = # (nope, it's not a pound sign!) Hashtags make twitter searchable. They're added to chats and topics so all the tweets can be filed together for later usage. (Sometimes they're added to be funny or sarcastic or as side note to the tweet. #Ididitallforthecookie)
Begin by following Citrus Grove accounts
@CitrusGrovevcs
@Ms_Gerlach
@techmom76
@mrsLalashuis1st @SLalashuis
@KZavacky
@CarrieKorkus
@KimKJones05
@JenP_Williams
If you are creating a Twitter account for school or professional use you can use @CitrusXXXXX
Follow each other!!!
We'll talk more next week on ho w to increase your PLN and choose who else to follow.
What Now?
Challenge #1-
Take the Leap!
Use the link below and sign up for a Twitter account.
www.twitter.com
If you already have an account, help someone else sign up or you can create a school specific account! Once you create an account make sure you follow @CitrusGrovevcs so I can add you to our PLN list.
Citrus Grove Teachers use #cgeeagles in your tweets!
VCS teachers use #VCSPLN in your tweets to grow our Volusia Personal Learning Network
Challenge #2
Send a TWEET!
It may be your very first one! Add the hashtag #cgeeagles to make it searchable for us.
Designate 10 minutes each day to look at your timeline and post at least 1 more tweet (either personal or educational)
A few topic ideas for Tweeting:
(Don't forget to add #cgeeagles to your tweet!)
* Tweet a link to your favorite website
* Tweet about your all-time favorite teacher
* Tweet one goal you have for yourself, students, classroom, or school
* Tweet a shout-out to a deserving Citrus Grove teacher for their hard work... even if they're on Twitter, it may encourage them to do so.
http://sweattoinspire.com/2012/11/05/lurking-on-twitter-voyeurism-at-its-finest/
Get Ready for the Rest of the Challenge!
Join @srhulsman on February 17th from 7:30-8:30pm for Twitter 101: Take the Twitter Challenge! (#VCSchatTC) to be a part of the rest of the challenge! Stay tuned for updates!