Why+Twitter?

//[|Twitter] is a free [|social networking] and [|micro-blogging] service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (otherwise known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length. Updates are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have signed up to receive them. The sender can restrict delivery to those in his or her circle of friends (delivery to everyone being the default). Users can receive updates via the Twitter website, instant messaging, [|SMS], [|RSS], email or through an application such as [|Twitterrific] or [|Facebook]//. ([|Wikipedia])
 * What is [|Twitter]and other micro-blogging tools?**

People who use Twitter effectively take time to develop a network, those folks they value following. Find those professional leaders you admire on Twitter, see who they follow or who follows them. By clicking on the grey //Follow// button, you can elect to follow those folks yourself.
 * Twitter tips:**

To help you determine whom to follow, also try [|Who Should I Follow.] It will make recommendations based on your existing subscriptions.

[|Video: Twitter in Plain English] media type="custom" key="1673881"

[|All a Twitter](SLJ, July 2008) Includes a list of major Twitter tools and [|mashups]. [|Newbie's Guide to Twitter] [|All Twitter Tools and Mashups in One Place] [|Twittermania: 140 More Twitter Tools] [|Tweetscan: Real-time Twitter Search]


 * Why should teachers use Twitter?**
 * To build a personal/professional learning network
 * To hear about new resources
 * To hear about important blog posts
 * To find your colleagues at a conference
 * To connect with your class
 * To hear about upcoming live and virtual conferences and events
 * To let others know of your important blog posts
 * To create a //backchannel// (side discussion) during a film or speaker presentation
 * To follow the professional exploits of educational leaders and other colleagues
 * To ask questions of an author or expert
 * To following the exploits of someone (something) you admire (an author, colleague, political figure, organization, publication)
 * To promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness [|(NETS*T)]
 * To engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using digital-age communication and collaboration tools. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To evaluate and reflect on current research and professional practice on a regular basis to make effective use of existing and emerging digital tools and resources in support of student learning. [|(NETS*T)]
 * To contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community. [|(NETS*T)]


 * Why should students use Twitter?**
 * To use social networks and information tools to gather and share information [|AASL Standards]
 * To display curiosity by pursuing interests through multiple sources [|AASL Standards]
 * To maintain openness to new ideas by considering divergent opinions, changing opinions or conclusions when evidence supports change, and seeking information about new ideas encountered through academic or personal experiences [|AASL Standards]
 * To plan a club meeting or other event (a party?)
 * To follow the exploits of someone they admire (an author, political or sports figure?)
 * To ask questions of an author or expert
 * To share work in a variety of media
 * To practice 21st communication skills
 * To practice digital citizenship
 * To collaborate with others to exchange ideas, develop new understandings, make decisions, and solve problems [|AASL Standards]
 * To use social networks and information tools to gather and share information [|AASL Standards]
 * As they do any of the above, to practice the tricky skill of summarizing and condensing


 * Why should librarians use Twitter?**
 * To build a personal/professional learning network
 * To create an informal online reference service
 * To following the exploits of someone (something) you admire (an author, political figure, organization, publication)
 * To follow the professional exploits of educational leaders and other colleagues (librarians, edtech leaders, educational philosophers, etc.)
 * To find your colleagues at a conference
 * To promote your library and highlight events
 * To let others know of your important blog posts
 * To make announcements about new materials
 * To create a backchannel (side discussion) during a film or speaker presentation
 * To ask questions of an author or expert
 * To embed on library webpage for interactive news, questions, promotions
 * To broadcast real-time information about emergencies at your library


 * Why should administrators use Twitter?**
 * To build a personal/professional learning network
 * To find colleagues at a conference
 * To bring the faculty together as a learning community
 * To follow the professional exploits of educational leaders and other colleagues (ladministrators, edtech leaders, educational philosophers, etc.)
 * To make school-wide announcements