This document provides an introduction to Twitter, including: 1. Twitter is a microblogging platform where users share messages ("tweets") of up to 140 characters. 2. It outlines how to sign up for Twitter, create a profile, handle, and compose tweets. 3. It offers tips for using hashtags, retweeting, following others, searching tweets, and interpreting tweets.

2. W is twitter?
hat
• Conversations in 140 characters
• Microblogging
• A Search engine
• ….and so much more
• See commoncraft video on twitter

3. Addressing
people!
No longer Mr, Mrs, Ms etc… just…
@

4. Signing up!
http://www.twitter.com

5. Don’t Be an Egg!

6. Would you follow these
people?

7. Get an
avatar!
• Profile
• Brand
• Badge

8. Length and no. of characters
Consistency with other
online sites
User
names
Consider real name if
possible – ease of spelling?

9. Create a quality profile
Authenticity/visibility attracts attention. Make
yourself genuine and realistic to potential followers
In your profile share:-
•Online sites eg blogs, websites
•Passions
•Interests

10. Editing your profile

11. Create a twitter handle
• A handle is your twitter id
• Be as consistent with other online user names
• Easily recognisable and spellable
• Consider number of characters in id (140 is
max in a tweet)

12. Just 140 characters
• Keep language clear and concise
• Use abbreviations
• Use shortened urls eg bitly, tinyurl

13. Ideas for a first tweet
• Ask a question?
• State that you are new to twitter (or attending a
conference add #tag of conference)
• Examples

14. “Please don’t tell me what
you had for breakfast, I
would rather know about
your favourite eLearning
adventures.”
Quote from webinar participant!

15. How to make a tweet?
• Look for the compose update icon!
• Select it

16. •Type your tweet in less than 140 characters
•Add a photo if you wish
• Press tweet

17. Who to Follow?
Find at least 25-50 people to follow:
•Participants in this workshop
•See http://bit.ly/SqjI0Z
•Include organisations
•See Lucy Gray’s suggestions

18. Interpreting a tweet
@, #, hashtags, abbreviations, shortened links, RT

19. Get attention/Get followers
• Retweet a tweet = RT
• Direct a tweet to people’s twitter handle
• Direct Message (DM) people – takes
conversation out of mainstream into more
intimate conversations

21. Twitter as a Search Engine
• Discover people’s feelings, experiences,
research findings, questions etc
• Latest world news
• See commoncraft video on search in twitter

23. Tweet search
• Goto http://www.tweetchat.com
• Key in earthquake
• Key in your chosen search word ie some topic
you may be studying in class
• View Commoncraft video search in Twitter

24. Look for Trends in
Twitter

25. http://www.tweetchat.com

26. What is a tweetchat?

27. Hashtags
Hashtags are searchable
• 300 hashtags
• Cybraryman’s List of Hashtags
• Educators Guide to Innovation
• Conference hashtags of interest

28. Twitter Chat Archives
Example:-
http://globalclassroom2011-12.wikispaces.com/
and seek link to archives of twitter chats

29. Phish!
• Never click on a link that says:- (or similar)

31. Help from Twitter

32. Classroom Use
60 ways to use twitter in the classroom
Blogging and tweeting in the early years classroom
Inspiring twitter outcomes in the early years classroom
Shakespeare moves to twitter
Twitter in the classroom
Twitter in Education
Search engine

33. Classroom stories!

34. Search for “stock taking” tweets
Search for “stock taking” tweets
jransom stocktake done – now the valuation of said stock
thespottynapkin RT @tipsytoesshoes: Its stocktake and
moving time at the Tipy Toes warehouse. Become a FB fan
and get 20% off all orders-we would rather…
tipsytoesshoes Its stocktake and moving time at the Tipy Toes
warehouse. Become a FB fan and get 20% off all orders-we
would rather sell it than move it! sharpytheking Perpetual
Stocktake… #bored.com jeicher stocktake is complete.
#relief
RossGoesRawrr @shan1209 I’m lucky I’m out the back doing
stocktake all night noone has to see it lol restructuregirl
@malbooth @polyxena stocktake would help my students
hugely. Haven’t done a s’take in 10 years & serious
mismatch bw shelves & catalogue

39. International Dot Day
Learnt about International Dot
Day on Twitter

40. Preps Study Animals!

43. Further Resources
•How to use twitter lists - bit.ly/ThWyMn
•Twitter tools for teachers
•Recording of Tech Talk Tuesday session on a
Guided Tour of Twitter
•Who’s Who – the Twitter Help Desk (find a
mentor)
•The twitterholic’s guide – the Edublogger