Twitter is a microblogging tool that allows users to send short 140-character messages called tweets. It has become very popular with over 7 million users in 2009, including many teachers and students who use it to communicate. Twitter can be used for language teaching by having students follow each other and news organizations, read and write tweets, and collaborate on stories. It helps develop cultural awareness when interacting with native English speakers and supports active learning compared to traditional classrooms.

1. 黃鈺芬 林怡均 microblog

2. Twitter is 140 character miniblog that answers the question " What are you doing ? "

3. Function Microblogging tool which combines features of SMS text messages and blogs . It allows users to send very short messages (known as “ tweet ”) to each other that are also readable by the rest of the web.

4. tweet

5. It’s so popular nowadays A lot of people are talking about it, and plenty are using it, including some presidential candidates, well-known celebrities. Also news agencies have a Twitter profile, such as CNN, which posts new headlines with links to the full stories. In February 2009, Twitter had more than 7 million visitors , among whom many tweachers and twudents (teachers and students using the technology) worldwide who got into the habit of sending and receiving “Tweets” (i.e. messages in Twitterspeak).

6. Function Twitter keeps connected with a select group of colleagues and acquaintances through a shared space. Twitter makes people stay in touch virtually anywhere because it can work with either cell phones or a PC. Twitter builds online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others.

7. Function Frequent updates -What am I doing? -What am I thinking? Conversational writing Connect students beyond class Unique & practical communication

8. For language teaching & learning Reading- (a) read the incoming messages of their fellow students. (b) “Follow” some major news organization like BBC , CNN , etc. with your students, and have your students select Tweeted stories to read. Writing- (a) The students are asked to leave one Tweet question each before the beginning of or during a lesson. (b) Write summaries based on reading or listening activities and send the message to at least two other people in the class. (c) start an opening for a story to all followings, and then ask them to continue the story in tweets, collaborating with previous tweets. Having all students sign up for Twitter accounts and follow each other including following the instructor.

9. Twitter as a tool for language teaching Following conversations Tweeting in a community Correcting Tweets Twitter conversation in class

10. Headline The numbers of people who follow this twitter CNN on Twitter

11. For language teaching & learning In addition to English skills, Twitter helps to create a sense of cultural awareness and acquiring cultural competence via the interaction with native speakers of English and the usage of English speaking Web-services

12. Twitter vs. Plurk

13. The benefits It facilitates active learning foster interaction about a given topic instead of simply listening to an instructor and taking notes It can increase metacongitive works or help teacher realize what the students think about the lesson. think about and reflect on one’s own learning It gets students thinking critically about the meat of their message. It increases the feeling of community among people.

14. The benefits Relevance: Students are familiar with it. Quick and simple to use Distinctive communication style Conversational writing

15. Reference 15 Essential Twitter Tools & Application http://www.1mainstreet.com/15-essential-twitter-tools-application/ How To Use Twitter in the Classroom http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5649046/How-To-Use-Twitter-in-the-Classroom Web2.0 Primer for Newbies http://web20primer.wetpaint.com/page/Twitter+in+the+Classroom?t=anon 7 things you should know about twitter http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7027.pdf Promoting Twitteracy in the Classroom http://apaceofchange.edublogs.org/2007/08/08/promoting-twitteracy-in-the-classroom/ Emerging Internet Technologies for Education http://www.emergingedtech.com/2009/06/6-examples-of-using-twitter-in-the-classroom/ The twitter blog of CNN breaking news http://twitter.com/cnnbrk

16. Reference Twitter for language learning http://www.slideshare.net/AvatarLanguages.com/twitter-for-language-learning Twitter and Microblogging for Language Learning http://www.slideshare.net/AvatarLanguages.com/twitter-and-microblogging-for-language-learning?src=related_normal&rel=2254197 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter