Twitter in the classroom

1. Twitter in the classroom

2. What is twitter? Twitter is a microblogging platform. Users short updates, often called "Tweets" of 140 characters or fewer. These messages are posted to the user’s profile, followers, and are searchable on Twitter search.

3. Twitter Stats Pew Research Study Released in May 2012 around 15% of online adults have used Twitter. 8% have used in a typical day. 26% were in the age group of 18-29.

4. Twitter Stats Taken from Pew Research

5. Twitter Terminology Tweet – an individual post Re-tweet (RT)– retelling someone else’s tweet Modified Tweet (MT) – modifying someone else’s tweet @username – a public message to a specific person Direct – message to a follower #hashtag – A tag that tracks groups & discussions Lists – Organize your followers More terminology on Twittonary

6. Hashtags Popular hashtags in education: #edtech, #highered, #lrnchat, #socmedia, #edusocmedia, #socialmedia, #sachat, #smchat Popular ways to find hashtags: Hashtags.org, what the trend, twubs, trendsmap.com

7. Twitter API Twitter allows users access to their database for use on their own websites and projects Example 1 Example 2

8. Twitter Aps Hootsuite – manage multiple Social Media accounts, sets up timed tweets TweetDeck– Organize your twitter followers, set up timed tweets TwitPic– Share pics via Twitter TweetReach- Measure your twitter reach Twuffer – compose future tweets Trendsmap – Map of Twitter Hashtag

9. Twitter for Course Updates Increases interaction between instructors and students Enhances communication Overcomes challenges of distance learning Helps students stay organized Provides medium for instructors to enhance their identity and encourage students Students can let teacher know they have completed an assignment

10. Guidelines • Use a human voice • Be mindful that Twitter is public and searchable • Decide whether to use a personal of professional twitter handle and stick to it • You can use a @Soc354class for your class and @ProfSmith personally • Keep to one platform for classroom usage

11. Example of Course Updates

12. Class Chatter Use hashtags to facilitate real-time discussion on videos, reading assignments or assessments questions. Can be used during class or outside of a classroom

13. Class Chatter Example

14. Other Classroom Ideas Track a conference Track the rise and fall of trends Follow industry professionals – a journalist may tweet events real time Follow a famous person Track usage of words/hashtags