My Wednesday Workshop on Twitter for educators. Covers the basics of getting started with Twitter

1. Twitter For Educators
Meredith Martin
mmartin@mantuaschools.com - @geekyteach

2. What is Twitter?
Twitter is a ‘microblogging’ site
Posts are 140 characters or less
Global & Real Time
Not just celebrity gossip!
Twitter in 60 Seconds

3. Why Twitter?
Global collaboration with educators
around the world.
Connect with educators in your field.
Share resources.
Learn about conferences and other PD
opportunities.
Keep up with changing education
trends.

4. Getting Started:
Setting Up Your Account
Setting Up Your Account
Twitter.com
Underneath the sign
in box is a section for
setting up new
accounts - enter
your information and
click Sign Up For
Twitter

5. Fill In Your Information

6. Set Up Your Profile
A completed profile
gives you more
credibility and lets
people know your
interests
Helps gain followers
Change your picture!
Use your name
Make tweets public

7. Congrats!
You now have a Twitter account!

9. Twitter Terminology
Twitter - the name of the service
Tweets - messages of 140
characters or less sent via Twitter
@ - Refers to a specific user - Ex:
@geekyteach
Feed - Your constantly updating list
of tweets

10. Twitter Terminology
# - Hashtag - a hashtag is a word or
phrase preceded by the # symbol.
It allows for aggregating tweets by
topic - Ex: #edchat
Reply - responding directly to a
person by preceding your tweet
with their username

11. Twitter Terminology
RT - a retweet - sharing another
user’s tweet with your followers
MT - modified retweet - a RT that
you have modified or edited
DM - direct message - you can only
DM someone you follow - private
messages between users

12. Got It! What’s Next?
Follow people!
Look for fellow educators
to follow - like the people
in this workshop!
See who other people
follow
People with large
numbers of followers
usually have high quality
tweets

13. Educators To Follow
Follow me!
@geekyteach
101 Great Twitter Accounts For Teachers
Top 10 Twitter Accounts to Follow for EdTech

14. Follow Friday
Each Friday, many
educators participate
in Follow Friday.
Using the hashtag #ff
they tweet the names
of their favorite Twitter
folks.
These are usually good
people to follow.

15. Education Hashtags
Hashtags are a
great way to find
information on a
specific topic.
Here’s a
great list of educational hashtags
.

16. Join The Conversation
Twitter Chats are a great way to
talk in real time with other
educators on a specific topic.

17. Chat? What’s That?
Twitter chats are scheduled
discussions on specific topics
Usually held on a specific day
and/or time
Read and participate in chats using
their hashtag
Twitter Chat Guide

18. How Do I Find A Chat?
@Cybraryman1
has a huge list of
Twitter chats for
educators.
Check it out!

19. Twitter As Backchannel
A backchannel is a conversation
happening simultaneously with an event
Twitter is a popular backchannel tool at
conferences
Find hashtag for events and join in the
conversation
Great way to learn about what’s
happening in other sessions

20. Tools For Twitter
Tweetdeck
One of the most
popular clients
Organize with
multiple columns

21. Tools For Twitter
Twitter App
Access your
Twitter feed
using your iPad,
iPhone, or iPod
Touch

22. Tools For Twitter
Twitter App
Access your
Twitter feed on
Android devices

23. Twitter Tips

24. I Don’t Have Time For Twitter
If you have time for Facebook,
Pinterest, Instagram, etc. you have
time for Twitter!

25. I’m Not Sure What To Post
It’s ok to lurk for a while! Follow
interesting people and see what
they are posting about. You can
start tweeting whenever you are
comfortable.

26. How Do I Get More Followers?
You can gain followers by
tweeting interesting, relevant
posts. Join in conversations. Talk
to individual users.

27. How Often Should I Tweet?
As often as you are comfortable
with. I tend to post more often
when I am at conferences and
sharing ideas and tips.

28. Is It OK To Use My Name/Have
Public Tweets?
YES! As a professional on Twitter you are taken
much more seriously if you are using your real
name and have public tweets. Just remember
that this is your PROFESSIONAL account. Keep
your posts education related. This is not
Facebook, we don’t need to know what you
ate for dinner.

29. Have Fun!
Twitter is a great way to meet
fellow educators. Enjoy the
conversations and make new
friends!