Derek Keenan! Rocky View Schools @mrdkeenan [email protected] mrkeenan.ca Creating a PLN using Twitter (or how to crowdsource your learning) This session will give you the tools you need to understand, experience and effectively use Twitter as a professional learning tool, and in your classroom teaching. Focused on practical, simple experiences, I will show you the value of this amazing learning tool! (It is recommended participants sign up for a Twitter account before attending) 

Social Professional Learning • Master’s Capstone focused on Social Professional Learning • Have been using Twitter as an educator for over four years. • We will come back to this model: 

Two Directions • First I will discuss how Twitter has become an exceptional professional learning tool for teachers. • If we have time, I will give some quick tips on integrating Twitter into student learning. 

What is a PLN? • Personalized Learning Network ! • Educational Tool ! • Social Media & Technology ! • Expanded Network ! • 24 - 7 

What is Twitter? • Twitter is a ‘micro-blogging’ site that allows for simple sharing of text, videos, pictures and more… • It is simple to use and very informative, which is why it has gained popularity in recent years. 

a short instructional video… 

Basic functions on Twitter • Tweeting - Once your account is set up, you can type in this box and speak your mind to the world, 140 characters at a time! 

Basic functions on Twitter • @ Tweeting to people - Use the @ symbol in front of a Twitter username to include that person in your comment. 

A Tweet Tweet not directed at a particular person Tweet directed at a particular person Be aware that ALL of your followers see every tweet you send. If you want to send privately, you will send a Direct Message (DM). ! “Do not tweet anything you would not shout from the rooftops.” 

Interacting With a Tweet If you like a tweet you read, want to read it later, or keep it as a resource, Click “Favorite” If you read a tweet and think your followers would like to read or should read, Click “Retweet” If you read a tweet and would like to write something back to the tweep, Click “Reply” 

Basic functions on Twitter • # Hashtags - Think of a hashtag as a bookshelf for Twitter, it organizes subjects and topics • …the 21st Century Dewey Decimal system! 

Basic functions on Twitter • Twitter Search - Supports you in finding topics of interest, you can search whatever topic you wish. • You can also search hashtags and usernames 

Twitter Terms • Retweet (RT) sharing a tweet someone else has posted, with no changes. • Modified Tweet (MT) sharing a tweet someone else has posted with an addition or deletion. • Direct Message (DM) this allows you to tweet an individual user without other followers or users seeing it. 

What are teachers using Twitter for? 

Purpose • What do you want to get out of Twitter? • This is what I was missing when I first started. • Start with a question. 

Comfort • Use walkthroughs • Have a “Twitter Date” with friends and invite someone who uses it • Start slow and ‘Lurk’ • Follow first Lurking is a term in social media for following conversations or chats without participating, not for being creepy. 

Joining Conversations • Once you have followed some chats: #NTchat #Edchat #Satchat #nT2t you will understand the structure • generally works by Question and Answer (Q1….A1) 

Let’s Try It • This always depends on the network, but we will try and have a quick chat right now. • Using your account, post a message that uses the hashtag #twitterPL • Do a Twitter search for the tag #twitterPL • I am going to ask a question “Q1” in the chat, reply by using “A1” and the #twitterPL hashtag 

Cultivating Connections • Have conversations with those you follow, and your followers. • Discussions are often asynchronous • Offer suggestions for #ff (follow Friday) and suggest resources you know, including users 

Reciprocity • Twitter is generally a very positive place, some common courtesies: • Follow those who follow you • Thank people for follows and retweets • Share your expertise with others 

Resources • http://www.angelamaiers.com/2011/07/twitter- presentation-and-resources.html • Angela has been working with Twitter for many years and has an EXCELLENT collection of resources to get you started. @AngelaMaiers • @cybraryman1 is another great resource, his collection of educational Twitter chats is incredible • http://cybraryman.com/twitter.html 

Common Abbreviations • Because of the 140 character limit, many users use abbreviations. Here are a few, if you see one on Twitter you don’t understand, ask someone. • Ts - Teachers • Ss - Students • Ps - Parents 

! • “Follow” other Educators: • @MathMinds • @BurgessDave • @CybraryMan1 • @fourishingkids • @angelamaiers • @Joe_Mazza @TonyVincent ! @JaimeVanderg ! @Alicekeeler ! @felixjacomino ! @NMHS_Principal @tomwhitby ! @teachingwthsoul ! @adoyle98 ! @gcouros ! @joebower Some Twitter Educators 

Using Twitter in the Classroom • Twitter can also be a great resource in the classroom. • Keep in mind that even though there is no age requirement stated for Twitter, their policies say the service is meant for those 13 and older 

Connection with Parents • Twitter can be an excellent way of sharing information with home about activities at school • using a class #hashtag can be a useful tool • remember what we’ve already discussed about privacy and careful posting 

Students on Twitter • If your students are interested, they can use Twitter to ‘backchannel’ in the classroom • I have also sent students out into the “real world” to tweet back information we used the next day in class • Colleges and Universities are using Twitter to support new teachers through chats like #ntchat 

Special thanks! to Angela Maiers @AngelaMaiers, Jenny Nauman @PrincipalNauman, and Kristin Gray @MathMinds! for their wonderful resources and support. 

10 things you didn’t know about Twitter 

Derek Keenan! Rocky View Schools @mrdkeenan [email protected] mrkeenan.ca Creating a PLN using Twitter (or how to crowdsource your learning) This session will give you the tools you need to understand, experience and effectively use Twitter as a professional learning tool, and in your classroom teaching. Focused on practical, simple experiences, I will show you the value of this amazing learning tool! (It is recommended participants sign up for a Twitter account before attending)