Twitter

=Twitter in the Classroom = by: Megan Egert, Brittany Titus, Erik Jergensen



What is Twitter?
Twitter is a "microblogging" tool that enables people to create text based blogs and post them on their profiles for others to see. People that can view your "Tweets" (as the mini blogs are called) are known as followers. Twitter is primarily a source of social networking, tracking what other individuals are doing throughout a day or event and allowing others to see what you are doing.

**Advantages**
In using Twitter in the classroom, it would be a good idea to first have your students "follow you", meaning to enable availability to the teachers profile. If content, dates or anything to that extent change, "Twit Board" can allow you to make the change and your students can see the change and make the adjustment. Also, minimal feed back or questions can be asked, and instead of the teacher answering it multiple times, the teacher can post one solution that all the students may view and learn from.

**Disadvantages**
Twitter has a limited space to work with (140 characters), with respect to symbols and characters. Numbers are about the only thing that can be expressed in Twitter, so some problems could prove difficult to convey to the teacher without the correct symbols. The other thing about Twitter is that maybe only a select few would be able to join. Problems with cell phone availability or lack of time spent on the site. If you're not using the site it makes the application of its benefits obsolete. It IS a social networking site so the chances of EVERYONE having an account and the motivation to use it are slim. There are many people without Twitter accounts that could honestly care less whether they use it or not.

Application of the tool in Math Education
Twitter can be effectively used in the classroom setting as well as at home or on the go. When speaking of Twitter, one might not initially think of applying Twitter to Math Education, but think again! Twitter is a quick way for one to “tweet” or share their ideas with others. Since Twitter is accessible pretty much anywhere, such as any place with internet access, or even on the go via cellular devices, it is a great way to keep in touch and communicate. A free social networking service, such as Twitter is like micro blogging, because its users are able to write up to 140 characters and post them to their profile page. Within in the classroom, Twitter can be used by the teacher as well as the students. In Math Education, teachers can assign their students to create a free, as well as easy to set up Twitter account, then assigning the students to search and follow the teacher as well as other students within the class. After becoming a follower of the teacher and other students, the teacher can begin to utilize Twitter. He or she can use twitter to update homework or assignments, share hits, or post advance warning for an upcoming quiz or test. The teacher should make sure to have his or her students regularly check Twitter for updates, but luckily after being a follower of a certain person or page, one automatically receives updates to when that person has posted a new “tweet”. Since only 140 characters are allowed per tweet, it can be efficiently used within Math Education. The teacher can post short assignments, as well as solutions to homework, or even new formulas and equations he or she might want the students to review. Also, the day before class the teacher can effectively post lesson plans, readings, or pre class problems the students should complete before class. Students can easily access and view the teacher’s tweets to stay up on their homework, assignments, etc. If a student needs help, they can tweet about a certain area or problem they are stuck on, and either the teacher or a fellow classmate who is a follower of them can help them out!

// List of key features sho​wed in the tutorial: //
In the first tutorial the key features are that it actually shows you how to use the program and what it is all about. In the second video it has several key features in that it talks about how to use twitter in the classroom, and why this type of communication is good.

Useful Resources
- How to use Twitter on squidoo.com is a website that provides effective information to set-up, start, access, and use a Twitter account for new first time users. -17 Ways You Can Use Twitter Here is a site called “17 Ways You Can Use Twitter.” The site has several explanations of why twitter is very useful to people even in the business world. This site is also nice in that other people can post their comments about twitter too. From what people are saying twitter seems to be making a big impact in helping the world connect.

- 10 Fun Facts About Twitter This site has 10 interesting facts about twitter including how many people actually use their account and who twitter is dominated by.

- Teachers and Twitter This is a site that has several links for teacher to help them find ways of using twitter in the classroom. This site is really nice because it helps teachers from having to search all over the web to find out information.

- Teachers and Twitter This is a site that has several links for teacher to help them find ways of using twitter in the classroom. This site is really nice because it helps teachers from having to search all over the web to find out information.

- Twitter Obviously in order to learn about something like this you need to have hands on experience, so make an account and start learning.

- Help & Resources on Twitter.com is a helpful resource one can use once you have set up a twitter account, there are many sources of how to's, FAQ's, how to access settings, and so on.