Why Twitter?
Understanding Micro-blogging

1999: So I just have to tell someone
about this thing my cat did today...

1999: So I just have to tell someone
about this thing my cat did today...
2004: Cat pictures!

1999: So I just have to tell someone
about this thing my cat did today...
2004: Cat pictures!
2005: Moving cat pictures!

1999: So I just have to tell someone
about this thing my cat did today...
2004: Cat pictures!
2005: Moving cat pictures!
2007:
1:00 p.m. - My cat just sneezed!
1:02 p.m. - Cat sneezed again!
1:05 p.m. - Cat hasn’t sneezed recently. Getting worried.

http://wordle.net

Twitter is the conversation missing from social media

• Online messaging system
• Social network
• You choose the
message, not the
recipient
• 140 character updates
• Web page, client, or SMS
• Open API

Huh?

Twitter Cycle
“I can’t stop Twittering!”
“What a great link posted by Jane”
“Who are all these people following me?”
“Hmm, my friend Bob is using Twitter”
“I still don’t get it”
“I don’t get it”
http://cogdoghouse.wikispaces.com/TwitterCycle

Twitter basics
• Twitter is a community
• The power is in your network
• Following = People you follow
• Followers = People following you
• You only receive messages from those you follow
• @ replies, # tags, direct messages

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do7gsU6EKUU

• Instead of “What are you doing?,” answer the
question “What has my attention?”
• Don’t just tweet about yourself, interact with
other users using @ replies
• Use direct messages for 1-1 conversations
• Ask questions
• Post links

Twitter: What is it good for?
Track a conference

Twitter: What is it good for?
Follow a famous person

Twitter: What is it good for?
Follow a professional

Twitter: What is it good for?
Build classroom/school community
Take the pulse of the world
Track a word
Instant feedback
Public notepad
Writing assignments
Aggregate opinion and critical responses
Teach grammar

Follow me!
@bryanhughes