How and Why to Use Twitter in Education

1. How to use Twitter
&
Why you should use Twitter

2. What is Twitter?
 140 Characters of information.
 Great way to communicate with other educators from
around the world.
 Great way to get ideas for your classes.
 Communicate your message with parents & community
members.

3. Get Started with Twitter
 www.twitter.com
 1. Create a username by using your email address and create
a password.
 http://screencasts.teachercast.net/intro-to-twitter-pt-1-
creating-your-account/
 2. Username can include letters, numbers, underscore (15
character maximum)
 3. Add a picture & add a bio (tell people what you do, your
interests, you personality)

4. Following People, Places, Things
 Go to the Search Box and type a username or name in the
Search Box. (ex. If I type “Jerry”, users with the name of
“Jerry” appear or people I have tweeted with name of “Jerry”
appear.)
 Search for people or topics with interests that match yours.
 Select Follow on a user and you will receive/see all of their
Tweets.

5. Submit a Tweet
 A tweet consists of 140 characters as mentioned above.
 If you see red or negative numbers, that means you have too
many characters and you will have to shorten your tweet to
have it submitted.
 Let people know what your doing, what’s on your mind, etc.

6. Advanced Twitter Applications
 Send someone a Direct Message – a private tweet that
appears in a user’s Twitter inbox. You can only Direct
Message a person that’s following you.
 #Hashtags – (pound sign) can be added to your tweet
making it easier to search for. (ex. #nlpanthers).
 Hashtags are a great way to promote an event or conference.
 Retweet – allows you to share links & tweets you’ve found
with your followers.

7. Advanced Twitter Applications
 Block – you can block anyone you don’t want following you.
Blocking prevents a user from following, sending you a reply
or mention you.
 Go to the profile page of the person you wish to block. Click
the Person Icon and under Actions, select Block.
 Protected Tweets –You can protect your tweets by making
them private. By default, all tweets are public unless you
protect your tweets.
 Visual Guide for Twitter Lingo -
http://www.edudemic.com/handy-visual-guide-twitter-lingo/

8. Let’s get our own #Hashtag# chat started
 Go to the Search Box and type in #newlextech
 Type in #newlextech
 Or, you can tweet #newlextech
 I will ask a question and you respond back with your answer.
Make sure you include #newlextech in your response or it will
not be included in the chat.
 When you see Q1, Q2, etc., respond back with A1: (and your
answer)

9. Ways to use Twitter in Teaching
 Twitter can be used to expand discussions, advertise
announcements, involve others in class outside class setting.
 28 Ways to use Twitter while teaching
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2011/07/28-creative-ideas-for-teaching-
with-twitter/
 Ways High Schools are using Twitter in the classroom -
http://www.teachthought.com/social-media/20-ways-high-schools-are-
using-twitter-in-the-classroom/
 60 ways to use Twitter in the classroom -
http://www.onlineuniversities.com/blog/2011/12/60-inspiring-examples-
of-twitter-in-the-classroom/

10. Where can I get Twitter help?
 This site is a great resource for all of the Twitter help that you
need:
 http://www.cybraryman.com/twitter.html
 Some Hashtags to follow:
 https://docs.google.com/a/seovec.org/spreadsheet/ccc?key=
0AiftIdjCeWSXdDRLRzNsVktUUGJpRWJhdUlWLS1Genc#gid
=0

11. NLCSD Twitter Usernames & Others
 @NLHSprincipal – Bobby Dodd
 @NLHS_NEWS – New Lexington High School
 @tfsherburne –Tonya Sherburne
 @pickjanie – Janie Halaiko
 @OHAppCollab – Ohio Appalachian Collaboration
 Lets follow @OHAppCollab and find the tweet “what are you
thankful for? Share using #WeAreOAC “ and share what you
are thankful for. Include the hashtag #WeAreOAC