Tweet+the+World!+Twitter+in+the+Classroom



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 * Twitter as a Social Network for Educators **

=Workshop Overview= This hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the possibilities of using Twitter in the Classroom. Participants will learn how to find resources and create activities using Twitter as another way of using technology tools in the classroom.

[|Workshop Handout] [|Workshop Agenda] [|Twitter Reference Guide]

=Objectives= In this workshop, you will:
 * 1) Define Twitter
 * 2) Review AUP and cyber safety
 * 3) Evaluate Twitter for classroom use
 * 4) Discuss Twitter implications
 * 5) Brainstorm Twitter activities for the classroom
 * 6) Share a lesson possibility

=ISTE Standards= This workshop will help teachers accomplish the following standards: > B. demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies. > B. apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences. > C. identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability. > D. plan for the management of technology resources within the context of learning activities. > E. plan strategies to manage student learning in a technology-enhanced environment. > A. facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards > C. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced environment. > B. use technology resources to collect and analyze data, interpret results, and communicate findings to improve instructional practice and maximize student learning. > B. continually evaluate and reflect on professional practice to make informed decisions regarding the use of technology in support of student learning. > C. apply technology to increase productivity. > D. use technology to communicate and collaborate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student learning.
 * 1) Technology Operations and Concepts - Teachers demonstrate a sound understanding of technology operations and concepts. Teachers:
 * 1) Planning and Designing Learning Environments and Experiences - Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers:
 * 1) Teaching, Learning, and the Curriculum - Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers:
 * 1) Assessment and Evaluation - Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies. Teachers:
 * 1) Productivity and Professional Practice - Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. Teachers:

=Common Twitter Terms=
 * 1) **Twitter** - a free social networking site
 * 2) **Tweet** - text-based posts of up to 140 characterswhich display on your profile
 * 3) **TweetDeck** - Adobe AIR destop application
 * 4) **Tweetie** - mobile client used for the iphone and itouch; provides a native iphone look and feel

[|Complete list of Twitter Apps]

=San Antonio ISD Student Acceptable Use Policy=



//Safety of Self and Others://

System users will report to their teachers or other school personnel any message received that is inappropriate or makes them feel uncomfortable. System users will not reveal personal information about themselves or others. System users will not agree to meet with someone they met online without parental knowledge and participation. System users will not use the system to threaten others. System users will use appropriate language for the educational environment and for the educational activity in which they are currently involved (no swearing, vulgarity, ethnic or racial slurs, or any other inflammatory or threatening language). System users will not transmit (send or receive) obscene pictures or messages.

//Access and Uses://

System users will not send messages under a false identity. System users will not access e-mail, files, and/or other documents of other users without permission. System users will not use the Internet for financial gain or for political or commercial activity. System users will not use the system for purchasing products or services.

//Copyright Laws://

System users will be aware of copyright laws and will follow them.

//Illegal Activities://

System users will not use the system for illegal purposes or any other activity prohibited by District policy.

//System Security://

System users will not attempt to harm equipment, materials or data. System users will not knowingly infect a computer or network with a virus. System users will not knowingly disrupt the network. System users will not provide passwords to other users. System users will always report any known violations of the SAISD Acceptable Use Guidelines to a teacher or administrator.

//Respect for System Limitations://

System users will not download large files unless absolutely necessary.

= Digital Citizenship = In keeping with local, state, and federal policies we have developed a set of cyber safety activities. The Be Cyber Safe! Initiative addresses appropriate behavior on the Internet as well as cyberbullying. This is where you will find additional resources to help keep all San Antonio ISD students safe while online.

= About Twitter = media type="custom" key="8650788"

Past Twitter began in a "daylong brainstorming session" that was held by board members of the podcasting company Odeo in an attempt to break out of a creative slump. At that meeting Jack Dorsey introduced the idea of an individual using an SMS service to communicate with a small group, a concept partly inspired by the SMS group messaging service TXTMob.

The working name was just "Status" for a while. It actually didn’t have a name. We were trying to name it, and mobile was a big aspect of the product early on ... We liked the SMS aspect, and how you could update from anywhere and receive from anywhere.

We wanted to capture that in the name — we wanted to capture that feeling: the physical sensation that you’re buzzing your friend’s pocket. It’s like buzzing all over the world. So we did a bunch of name-storming, and we came up with the word "twitch," because the phone kind of vibrates when it moves. But "twitch" is not a good product name because it doesn’t bring up the right imagery. So we looked in the dictionary for words around it, and we came across the word "twitter," and it was just perfect. The definition was "a short burst of inconsequential information," and "chirps from birds." And that’s exactly what the product was. —Jack Dorsey

Present Organizations that support relief efforts are also using Twitter. The American Red Cross started using Twitter to exchange minute-to-minute information about local disasters including statistics and directions. During the 2008 Mumbai attacks eyewitnesses sent an estimated 80 tweets every 5 seconds. Twitter users on the ground helped compile a list of the dead and injured. In addition, users sent out vital information such as emergency phone numbers and the location of hospitals needing blood donations.CNN called this "the day that social media appeared to come of age" since many different groups made significant use of Twitter to gather news and coordinate responses.

Future

Endless...

=Classroom Examples= media type="custom" key="8650804"

Additional examples:
 * **Direct Tweet**. Teachers, students, and parents can contact each other through direct Tweets without having to share cell phone numbers.
 * **Get to know your classmates**. A class Twitter group will help facilitate teachers and students getting to know each other.
 * **Collaborate on projects**. When working together on projects, set up a group using an app like Tweetworks to facilitate communication between everyone working together.
 * **Make announcements**. Teachers can send out reminders about upcoming tests, project due dates, or any news that needs to be shared via Twitter.
 * **Brainstorm**. The ability to share ideas as the occur any time and any where creates an excellent opportunity for brainstorming on class topics.
 * **Take a poll**. Ask student their opinions or get feedback on future projects or topics by using an app like PollDaddy.
 * **Share interesting websites**. Both professors and students can post interesting websites that are relevant to their class.
 * **Daily learning**. Twitter feeds happen much more frequently than the two or three times a day a student is in class, therefore using Twitter in the classroom means there is a daily opportunity for learning.

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=Assessment=

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Think, Pair, Share

Brainstorm about one possible way to use Twitter as an instructional tool

Challenges to using Twitter in the Classroom
 * Blocked by the district
 * Could be viewed as too much or unsafe

Solutions
 * Teacher creates account for the classroom, not using student identities or names and tweets about the days activities
 * The students could help by writing their tweet on a "birdie" and the teacher picks one for the day to post at home later
 * Teachers should not require anyone to get a Twitter account (parents or teachers)
 * Maintain the district's guidelines for acceptable use policy
 * Inform administrators on campus and be ready to discuss goals, uses, and possible problems while offering solutions

=Reflect and Discuss= media type="custom" key="8650944"

Questions to Consider:


 * What can Twitter do for you in your classroom?
 * How can you, as a teacher, overcome the challenges we face in our district with the use of Twitter?

=More on Twitter=

//Articles//


 * [|How Twitter will change the Way We Live]
 * [|Why Everyone's Talking about Twitter?]
 * [|Twitter- Use it Productively]
 * [|Twitter is what you make it]
 * [|All you need to Know to Tweet on Twitter]
 * [|From other teachers: Twitter in the Classroom]