Twitter

The History of Twitter ** Twitter was created by Jack Dorsey in 2006. It is a rich source of instant information as well as a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its readers to send and read messages known as tweets. Twitter is without a doubt the best way to discover and share current events. Its original product name or codename was twttr, inspired by Flickr and the fact that American SMS codes are five characters. After a bunch of name-storming with the board members of a podcasting company Odea, “twitch” seemed like a relevant product name to use because of how the phone vibrates when it moves; however, “twitch” wasn’t appealing and doesn’t bring up a good imagery so Dorsey and the board members looked in the dictionary for words surrounding “twitch” and located “twitter,” “a short burst of inconsequential information,” and “chirps from birds.” media type="youtube" key="ddO9idmax0o" height="144" width="196"  Twitter’s goal is to provide a service that allows you to discover and receive content from sources that interest you as well as to share your content with others. They respect the ownership of the content that users share and each user is responsible for the content he or she provides. Because of these principles, Twitter does not actively monitor user’s content and will not censor user content, except in limited circumstances. The main purpose for using Twitter is to have instant access to information that is current and helps people to stay connected to the world.
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 * //Twitter in Plain English// **
 * Twitter Rules and Purpose**

Twitter is a site that aggregates messages of no more than 140 characters onto a user-created Web page. Other users can “follow” those updates. It is one of the first simple Web applications that can be accessed from a cell phone, as the design and settings were based on the framework of text messaging from cell phones. Twitter keeps your network at your fingertips. Users don’t have to log onto the internet in order to update their profile and stay connected. There’s a feature that allows users to receive text messages to their cell phone when others post updates. For those individuals that are not familiar with the Twitter language, Terraminds.com is a resourceful search tool that allows you to keep track of a particular word in the Twitterverse by subscribing to the RSS feed of the search result.
 * Unique Features **

Just about anyone can create a Twitter account as long as you’re 13 years of age and older with a valid email address. To get started you must log onto []. In the first box enter your full name (first and last name) which will appear on your public profile. You will then have to enter a username. If the name is available you can continue on to the next step, if it’s unavailable you must reenter a new name or use one that has been suggested. Next, enter a password. You will want to use both a user name and password that is easy to remember. Once you’ve selected a password enter your email address is the next box provided. A confirmation notice will be sent to your inbox where you will have to log into your personal email account and accept Twitter. In order to complete the process of creating your account you must accept the terms of services by clicking on the “Create my account” button located directly under the Terms of Service box. Staying connected to the world has never been easier.
 * How to Get Started **

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 * Twitter in Schools **
 * //Brief Video on Twitter as an effective classroom tool //**

To fully appreciate Twitter you must have a reason to use it before you start. Through using a social learning environment where students can share ideas and learning experiences, educators are using Twitter to network, research, collaborate, and update information. // The advantages of using Twitter in the classroom: //
 * Twitter brings great minds together and gives everyone daily opportunities to learn.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Allows students to follow people with the same interest.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Easy to access using a cell phone so there is no need to worry about logging onto a computer.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter linked to a course/class blog can offer our students opportunities to discuss different kinds of asynchronous online discourse, considering voice, purpose, audience, to organize ideas, reflect, send notes, manage meet-ups, promote serendipitous discovery etc.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Gives learners the opportunity to voice their personal opinions about literature and other topics.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter can augment parent feedback and hopefully bridge the gap between the home/school relationship amongst teachers and parents.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">By updating status frequently teachers are allowing parents to also be a part of their child’s academic and social process.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Allows teachers to provide very focused and concrete feedback to students to refine their thinking and improve their skills.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter helps organize staff development and helps teachers share best practices.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Keep students current with assignments, projects, activities, and events in their school.

//<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The disadvantages of using Twitter in the classroom: // <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> As for any Web 2.0 tool on the Read/Write Web to really function in an educational area, one should adopt certain measures. First before using Twitter in the classroom teachers should think carefully about the topics they are going to support. Teachers should consider using this approach as a pilot or trial basis before fully implementing it into their daily curriculum. Having clear expectations and rules are important when integrating Twitter in any subject area. Information should include both old and new details to reinforce the learning objectives and goals. Students should be included in the evaluation of the approach as well. Twitter is meaningless without a network so collaboration between students and teachers are important. Teachers must also give themselves adequate network time to respond to Tweets. This shows the students that Tweeting is important and relevant to learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter is very time consuming placing teacher virtually on call 24-7; however it is as time consuming as you allow it to be.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">It takes away from valuable instruction time.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Without a strategy it’s just typing.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter has a significant amount of information that one may go into information overload.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Writing to 140 characters could leads to bad grammar skills.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The twittering going on in a lesson sometimes can be too distracting (or at least too distracting for some students, like someone with autism, attention deficit disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome etc.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Twitter has an issue about improving grades or increasing interests in the subject of teaching.

With the information provided above you must be the judge of if Twitter is the best tool for you.


 * Monique Butler**