I presented Twitter to teachers at my school in June using this presentation and its key words. I upgraded the Slideshare following the presentation as I understood the need for step by step instruction. We participated in a live #A4Learn chat during the presentation and this also helped my colleagues better understand the concept of Twitter. I hope that this helps others as it helped my own colleagues begin their collaboration on Twitter.

1. Created by @MmeNero You can spend hours, days, months and years learning about Twitter & it will still be a learning experience! TWITTER 101 Twitter for Teachers Image credit: http://publicityhound.net/5-best-places-to-answer-questions-promote-your-expertise/

2. THE BIG QUESTIONS What is this Twitter “thingy” you’ve heard about? Twitter is an online service where people can post short messages about their current activities/what they have seen online in 140 characters or less!

3. TWITTER FOR TEACHERS Tweeting for Teachers There is a HUGE amount (already) of teachers on Twitter. All of you have to know what to do is find them! Many teachers are doing online professional development on a daily or weekly basis through their experiences on Twitter Teachers are using Twitter as a tool for communicating about education reform and learning ideas COLLABORATION and instant feedback

4. THE BIG QUESTIONS What is a Tweet? An online posting in less than 140 characters created by a Twitter user that will appear on his/her profile page and is available to every person who follows you So it may be important to verify who is following you…

5. HOW TO’S Introducing Yourself: your profile page Your profile should have an image of you or something that represents you (get rid of the egg ASAP) to make it more personable Introduce yourself in less than 160 characters… Choose your profile information carefully as many people chose who to follow based on it

6. HOW TO’S Edit Your Profile 1. Click on “Edit Profile” to bring you to this page: 2. Change your pic 3. Write your real name 4. Write where you are from 4. If you have a blog add it here 5. Write a short Bio about yourself in less than 160 characters! 6. Click on Save!

7. THE BIG QUESTIONS What is a Re-tweet? One Tweet can keep being re-tweeted. This makes Twitter into one big staff room. Image credit: http://www.thewwwblog.com/retweet-guide.html

8. THE BIG QUESTIONS What is a Re-tweet? If you like someone’s idea or resource that they shared, you re-tweet (RT) the content that has been posted by that user It is the copyright, as you are sharing someone else’s idea(s)! So if you are quoting a tweet, please make sure that the original sender’s name is included (via/RT @____) This Tweet was Re-tweeted twice (by Kuhn and MmeNero

9. THE BIG QUESTIONS Why should I favourite a Tweet? When you click the favorite button, you are saving that Tweet…otherwise eventually all Tweets get deleted. This is the only way! Image credit: http://agentgenius.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/translating-twitter-speak-and-garnering-retweets/

10. How do I communicate with my PLN? Your PLN is you Personal Learning Network (all of the tweeps you follow) Writing a Tweet to everyone who follows you You can reply to a Tweet which everyone sees by using the @ symbol A Direct Message: is kind of like an email, where the message content is PRIVATE and only between yourself and your follower (and less than 140 characters)

11. HOW TO’S How do I follow someone? When you find someone you want to follow, click on that person’s name or pic and it will bring it to their profile The more people you follow, the more people will follow you = increased collaboration Click on Follow!

12. TWITTER FOR TEACHERS Finding Teachers to Follow The best way: Find a teacher whose Tweets you appreciate and look to see who they already follow…most often they are like-minded people Use this website for help: “Seven Ways to Find Teachers on Twitter” http://bit.ly/qMLyaV Go to their profile Click on “Following” 3. Read the profiles & click on Follow if you want to follow that individual

13. THE BIG QUESTIONS Can I block someone? Many teachers do not use Twitter as they fear “undesirable/unwanted” followers No problem! You CAN block them and/or report spam 3. Find the individual and click on this button and choose Block or Report Spam Go to your profile Click on “Followers”

14. THE BIG QUESTIONS What’s a hashtag? A way for Twitter users to associate their tweets without having to explain the full context. In the case of teachers, hashtags are tools which organize tweets according to a specific topic

15. TWITTER FOR TEACHERS Hashtags for Teachers By Department: SCIENCE: #scichat #environment MATH: #math #maths #mathchat ENGLISH: #engchat WL LANGUAGES: #langchat #APFrenchprof #FLTeach #wlteach SOCIAL STUDIES: #sschat #historyteachers #history General #edchat #bced #edtechbc #edtech #education #sd36 #Assessment #A4Learn

16. TWITTER FOR TEACHERS Links to Websites and Videos… if you still need convincing 100 Resources, Tips and Apps for Teachers on Twitter Twitter for Teachers video Mom This is How Twitter Works

17. TWITTER FOR TEACHERS Click here to be sent to my Slideshare presentation on “If You Were on Twitter…” for educators interested in Assessment for Learning

18. TWEET YA LATER! Now, little twitterers… FLY and TWEET AWAY! Image credit: http://tutorials-share.com/2011/07/30-awesome-twitter-photoshop-tutorials/