Twitter. Is it for me? Is it for AACPS?

What is a Twitter?



In my mind someone who is into using latest technologies and exploring various web 2.0 is should be an open minded person. However, I'm not so open minded to using Twitter a popular social networking site. Granted I love Facebook and used to be an avid "MySpacer" but I used those for my own social networking not with my students. Today I explored what it would be like us Twitter with students.

Setting up a Twitter was fairly simple. I really like how it gave me almost a to do list on what I needed to do to be a successful Tweeter.

However, I found something disturbing that you can put an exact location to where you are which is kinda creepy. This is probably why the county will never Unblock Twitter in our county district. 

As I tried to find friends or organizations that I want to follow it was a breeze, however, trying to understand the language of Twitter gave me a headache. 

HUH????? Understanding the Tweet language

"@username: creates a link to that user in your post.

RT: Retweet, to copy someone else's post in a new update. Give them credit by adding their @username.

#: hashtag, helps to organize your tweets into categories for easier searching.

DM: Direct message, send a tweeter a private message instead of an update that all your followers can read" 

Educational Uses:

This great article from techlearning.com (my favorite magazine) has 25 ways to teach with Twitter. If I happen to find a twitter-ish website that isn't blocked by Anne Arundel County there are some great uses

• Teacher tool for recommending lessons, books, websites, etc...
• Start a school tweet for updating parents on important events, resources, etc...
• Invite parents and community members to an event such as back to school night or math night.
• Discussion questions to a novel 
• Get students to check out links and respond
• Fundraising/wish list- post updates and try to get community involved 

My decision....


I've decided that Twitter may not be for AACPS because of the safety concerns. I hope that I can find something out there that is Twitter worthy for educators, students, and me.


Resource for Educators: 


Twitter Handbook for Teachers