This document provides an overview of how to use Twitter for professional learning and in the classroom. It introduces Twitter basics like following others, hashtags, retweets and direct messages. Suggested uses for teachers include following experts in your field, collaborating with other educators, sharing resources, and facilitating backchannel discussions or foreign language practice for students. Tools for Twitter and resources for teachers on educational uses are also listed. The presentation aims to demonstrate how Twitter can enhance professional development and classroom instruction.

1. For Teachers Deb Kitchener Twitter: @kitchenerd Skype: deb.kitchener Blog: http://dkitchener.wordpress.com/ Wiki: http://virtuallylearning.wikispaces.com/ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchenerd/

2. Agenda Introductions Overview of Twitter Twitter & your professional learning Twitter in your classroom Tools, tips, tricks, cautions Having Fun!

3. What is Twitter? Microblog Public Messages Limited by 140 Characters Choice of whom to follow

4. Why Use Twitter? Follow Famous Folk Find like minded learners Receive instant feedback Give back to the community Spread and share resources with others

5. Guy Kawasaki Tweet If you printed twitter graphic images…..

6. Howard Rheingold “I think successful use of Twitter means knowing how to tune the network of people you follow, and how to feed the network of people who follow you.”

7. How does Twitter Work? Set up an account at www.twitter.com Use a professional username Identify people to follow

8. Twitter Vocabulary Tweet Direct Message (DM) Follow Mention ReTweet (RT) Hashtag # Fail Whale Tweetup ;)

9. Online in Twitter.com Image of a mention Image of a dm Demo of follow Hashtag #

10. Twitter API’s Tweetie Tweetdeck Twitteriffic Ubertwitter Seesmic Computer & Mobile

11. Finding Others Click on friend’s and see who they follow Search Twitter by keyword Buttons from blogs Recommendations from others Lurk>respond>engage

12. Twitter and Professional Learning Use the right tool for purpose Help or advice Keeping up with what’s new Offering expertise Great connections

13. Twitter in the Classroom Tweet in a foreign language Tweet in character of someone from history Back channel discussion for students Summarize readings Collaborate through the use of hashtags#

14. Resources for Teachers Thirty Ways to use twitter for learning Twitter 4 Teachers wiki Interesting Ways to Use Twitter

15. Tools, tips, tricks, cautions Shortening urls Symbols in tweets Sharing blogs, images Certain protocol for participation Give to get

16. Having Fun with Twitter Share images - twitpic Video – twitvid