Despite the popular belief that teachers spend their summers “gettin’ paid for doin’ nothin,'” many are actually revamping lessons, creating supplemental materials, and learning how to implement new and exciting tools into their classrooms. A couple of weeks ago, one of my fellow educators/fantabulous readers contacted me and shared her desire to use Twitter with her students. Even though this topic has already been covered, she asked if I would explain it in my “inimitable” way. Once I looked up the definition of inimitable, I was humbled by the sweet compliment and then amused at the request; in fact, I laughed my silly little head off because if anyone has been twitterpated by Twitter, ’tis I.
A story:
Months ago, the incomparable Leslie “The Bearded Iris” Marinelli followed me on Twitter. I tell you this not to toot my own horn (okay, maybe a little), but to make a point: she is the shizz and I am in awe of her, so I did what any adoring fan would do and ignored her. I didn’t follow her back for, like, weeks. Maybe a month. Maybe two. WHATEVER. (In my defense, I honestly thought I was already following her. Ooopsie). When I finally realized my snafu, I clicked her follow button (not a euphemism) as fast as I could. She Tweeted to me, asking, “Are you playing hard to get or are you just Twitter challenged?”
My witty response: “A little of both?”
I rock this networking thing, right?
Realizing my lack of Twitter etiquette had quite possibly left a lasting impression of incompetence on someone I kinda wanna snuggle with made me a little sad.
Since then, I’ve made it a point to get better at this Twitter thang. I don’t consider myself an expert by any means, but Leslie is pretty close; she created a Bible of Twitter Truths. Read them. Learn them. Love them. But not before you finish reading here.
We’re taking Twitter into the classroom today.
WHAT? Social media in school?! Is that even legal?!
Relax, Little House on the Prairie, we’ll go slow.
I’ve found some pretty awesome sources and examples of how teachers are already using social media in their lessons and even assessments. I link to those sources at the end, so if you’re in a hurry, just scroll down. You’re rude, but go ahead and scroll.
Now let’s get down to business.
The Basics:
* Hashtag: use it to group and track conversations of the same topic. #fireworks #IndependenceDay #mydogsarepissingthemselves are all topics that were trending over the Fourth of July.
*@: use the @ symbol to mention/tag someone. For example, I liked something I read, so I Tweeted the author using the @ symbol to mention her, and this also let my followers know I thought she rocked:
This piece? Perfection. When Your Mother Says She’s Fat: http://t.co/0COhL4TzLy @KaseyEdwards, brava! And hugs <3
— CrazyExhaustion (@CrazyExhaustion) July 2, 2013
* Favorite: it’s the same thing as “liking” someone’s Facebook status. If you don’t know what Facebook is, I can’t help you.
* Re-tweet: it’s like a “Favorite” on steroids; but a RT shares it with your followers. I love RTs, just sayin’…
* The Follow: If you want someone to show up in your Twitter feed (found under the Home button), you’ve got to follow him/her. As was previously mentioned, it’s the right thing to do to follow back. But don’t get ticked if your favorite actor or someone kinda important like President Obama doesn’t follow you back; they’re kinda busy.
How can you utilize Twitter in the classroom?
- Tweet to an author or expert in the subject/topic you are studying.
- Engage in online discussions; “rooms” like Tweet Chat and Twubs will help keep track of participants and their contributions. Just a heads up: these chats require everyone to be online at the same time.
- Create and maintain a running list of assignments and important dates for your students and classes.
- Follow hashtags of relevant topics and learn from others.
- Make connections to blogs, websites, and other valuable resources that can be used for discussion and research.
- As the teacher, you can post links to sites and other supplemental materials.
Words of caution:
- Students are not the same online as they are in your classroom; I’m talking curse words, inappropriate conversation, and possibly graphic photos. Oh and if they hate you, they’re not afraid to tell everyone who follows them on Twitter. As such, they may not want to give you their Twitter handle. Moreover, you probably don’t want to see all that mess.
- Unless you make a separate Twitter account to use exclusively with your classes, your students will be privy to everything you post. Yikes.
Rather than continue my ramblings or reinvent the wheel, here are links to helpful educational sources that explain how to use or give examples of what to do with Twitter in the classroom. Promise to report back and tell me if your Teacher Twitter endeavors were successful!
Cheat Sheet: Twitter for Teachers
50 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom
Why Teachers Should Try Twitter
Twitter for Teachers: Erin Klein’s Awesome 10-Minutes Video Tells All
I love the shizz out of Twitter. I also love the shizz out of teachers. And you. Duh.
Hey, remember that one time you were published on HuffPo because you’re super? 😉
Ok, this was truly awesome and seriously am tweeting. Well, because I can and also because as a fellow teacher loved how you would incorporate Twitter in the classroom. Great job!! 🙂
Thanks, Janine!!
You are just a wealth of information! Great info here!
A wealth I am not, but at least I now understand the basics 😉 Hahaha!
Nicely done Steph. I am a bit Twitter challenged myself. And old. Let’s not forget old.
You are NOT old, Penny!!! You’re vintage 😉 (seriously, NOT old)
This is so great and the links to other wheels of information really help. You are awesome. Inimitable!
You taught me a new word, says this humiliated English teacher… 😉
That Little House on the Prairie line is probably the funniest sentence I’ve read all week. And it’s been a funny week.
Well thanks, Jenn! That means something coming from your harlarious self!
You totally earned yourself a snuggle with this post. Throw in a Primanti Bros. sammy and I might move into your basement! My favorite part was “…so if you’re in a hurry, just scroll down. You’re rude, but go ahead and scroll.” Oh, and the Little House on the Prairie line! LOVE. Great Twitter tips too. XO – Leslie
Please excuse me while I tinkle myself because you commented on my post. *Nuzzles into your neck*
Between the Little House on the Prairie line and ‘You’re rude, but go ahead and scroll” I was giggling. And, now I need to go make sure I’m following you on Twitter too … and several others that I follow on blogs / FB.
So. Much. Media. 😉
Seriously!! I’m on social media overload!
I still don’t know what “inimitable” means…
Perhaps you should look it up, says this English teacher 🙂
We all know I suck at Twitter, so I loved this–will take any easy tips and explanations I can get. But I’m not a teacher, so I hope it’s okay that I crashed this tutorial??
Woman, you know you’re welcome any time, anywhere!
Thank you for doing this Stephanie! I am clueless when it comes to Twitter and have never taken the time to find out how it all works! I read this last night and then went on Twitter to see if I could make more sense of it. A new follower had sent me a direct message and I replied with my response and then I used the @ and their name. I thought I was all cool but now I realize I probably didn’t need to do that because it was a direct message right? Also, there is no way to write anything to someone’s tweet right? You can only favorite it?? #clueless people
🙂 🙂
No @ necessary in a direct message, or DM as the cool kids call it. No one can see it but the person you’re sending it to. But you can certainly respond to a person’s Tweet! The option to respond, favorite, or retweet is available on every tweet.
Did that answer your question or am I confused?
Thank you! You did answer my question! Now I just need to spend some more time on it!
I’m twitter impaired. I just don’t get it. What makes me crazy is when I follow fellow bloggers and they don’t follow me back. I mean come on….. When you have 1000 followers but only follow 100 people, you’re missing the whole Twitter point, right?! I tried to tweet at you the other day to thank you (aka brag) that you read and commented on one of my posts. Alas, I couldn’t find your twitter handle. Remember, I said I was impaired. I blame it on my old age and preoccupation with potty training.
You’re too much, Amy!!! I’m @CrazyExhaustion if you wanna be pals, and I promise to follow back! I think it’s hilarious that you noticed some bloggers don’t follow back; I wrote about being a “bloghole” when I noticed the same thing a few months ago! For your reading pleasure: http://whencrazymeetsexhaustion.com/helpful-tips-to-becoming-a-bloghole/
I am completely addicted to twitter! I just wrote about the whole hashtag on Facebook thing – which bummed me out at first, but once I got through my mourning, I decided it could actually be beneficial. One of my daughters teachers used twitter for assignments, and I always thought he was a little brave. But maybe he just had a separate account, which would have been smart because teens aren’t exactly always thinking with their tweets! Anyway great tips, I need to visit you more often! And I just checked – we are following each other on Twitter! 🙂
I’m checking out your FB hashtags right now!! And then we can Tweet about it 😉
This IS great info…now I just need to get a Twitter account!
I totally just ran over to Twitter to make sure I was following you. I’m sure I’m not the only one;) Pleased to report I was already one of your sheep;)
Vicky
You’re too much! I am nowhere near “Leslie” status, and I swear I wouldn’t have known the difference because, despite having written this post, I remain Twitter-challenged. 🙂