#2 Twitter- I chickened out!

I have to admit that I haven’t tweeted anyone over the last couple of days. I think that I like being a bird watcher! I know it sounds creepy, but I like to follow people to see what they are saying and what they are doing! Since I don’t have any friends or relatives that use Twitter, I am simply watching strangers. I am going to keep looking at #tlchat and #edchat and maybe I will have something to share with them? For now, I will stay on the sidelines and collect some useful information from others.

I did find some interesting ways that Twitter can be used in the classroom!

• Historic tweets- students develop interface and messages as historic or fictional characters
• Adopt someone- use Twitter to keep grandparents or other community members in the loop
•  Summary- students summarize in 140 characters or less. Forces them to focus on the important stuff!
•  Book Lists- Create a classroom Twitter account and use it for book recommendations. Keep kids reading through the summer!
•  Bonus/Fun Homework- tweet a bonus or fun assignment at night, like "bring me a drawing of a snail" and give students a small prize or sticker.
•  School wide Puzzle- tweet a puzzle every week on Monday at 10:17 and give a prize to the first student who turns in the correct answer to the office. Well, this would just motivate students to use their cell phones in class, but it would be fun!
•  Tweet Pals- Have pen pals at another school over Twitter.
• Attendance Reminders- create a Twitter group of students who could benefit from on-time reminders. Send tweet to group in am before school, reminding students that you are looking forward to seeing them that day. (http://twitterforteachers.wetpaint.com/page/Elementary+School)

In a way, Twitter is like using text messaging or mini-blogs with your students! I can see this becoming very popular and motivating with children in school! There are of course issues with using this tool. You will be allowing cell phones in the classroom. Parents might not be on your side here and students might not just be texting you, but their friends instead. Also, students need to be taught that there are certain dangers with Twitter, Facebook or other social media! “You are what you Tweet!” Whatever you tweet can be viewed by anyone! This site gives short stories about the good and bad results of using Twitter http://twitterforteachers.wetpaint.com/page/Cautions+for+Educators

I found that this site had lots of tips for teachers about how to use Twitter in the classroom: http://twitterforteachers.wetpaint.com/

Also of use to teachers is the Twitter dictionary which shows you how to abbreviate words so you can say more: http://twitterforteachers.wetpaint.com/page/Twitter+Dictionary

Since most students have their own cell phone this is definitely an educational tool for the future. Getting everyone on board and doing some professional development with staff and parents is needed in order to get idea up and running.