FOS 14 Day Twitter Challenge
Become a Tweep by taking up our 14 day Twitter Challenge
To tweet or not to tweet
For a long time I simply didn't get twitter! Why do I need to know if someone is having a cup of coffee or sitting on the bus?! But gradually people kept telling me about the power of twitter and how great it is for educators. So I gave it a go and had a play. I discovered that there are so many like minded teachers and leaders out there sharing a wealth of fantastic information. I can honestly say that being on Twitter has given me some of the BEST PD that I have ever had!
I found the idea of 'The 14 Day Twitter Challenge' on Twitter and want to acknowledge jarrod@pegeek.com and @HELENOFTROY for this great idea.
Day 1- re activate your account
Day 2 - update your profile
The first thing to do is to let people know about you and your interests. The more descriptive your bio is the better chances you have to be followed by like-minded people. If you have a blog or website than link to it and let others discover it.
Find your profile by clicking on the person icon at the top right of the screen. Remember to include a photo. Don't remain an 'egg'.
Day 3 - Hash Tags
Hash tags make twitter easier to search, share and chat.
Search the following hash tags
#edchatnz
#edchat
Events:
#ulearn13
#eduIgnite
#isnzlearn
Find a tweet of interest and follow that person. You may want to favourite the tweet.
Day 4 - Find and Follow
Here are some interesting people who you may like to follow:
@Juliet_Revell
@virtuallykaren
@belldogc
@GeoMouldey
@mattynicoll
@MissDtheTeacher
@AKeenReader
@aimiesibson
@SimonAshby2
@JoDudley6
@buckoinchch
@stuarm
See if you can find 10 more educators to follow.
Day 5 - First tweet
Compose a tweet and introduce yourself. Remember to include where (CHCH or NZ is fine) & what you teach. Finish your tweet with #edchatnz. "Hi I am new to twitter. I teach.... ? Looking forward to connecting with other educators"
Day 6 - The basics
Engage in the basics of Twitter, and respond to a tweet from someone you follow.
@ – when placed in front of a Twitter name, it allows the person to see a reply to them under "Replies"
RT: – you use this to re-tweet a tweet that is worthy of sending again to your followers; this is a great way to gain followers
#- Hashtags - to track specific conversations ( Use Twitter Search to see what I mean)
Favourite - Save interesting tweets to a list of your favourites
View the video tutorial below and witness the basics in action
Day 7 - Keep going
- Follow 3 new people
- Favourite an interesting tweet
- Retweet something interesting
Day 8 - Share something useful or a challenge
Make one new tweet that could include something great or a struggle from your teaching that day or a question for the day.
Other missions for the day include:
- Find 2 tweets of significant value and favourite them.
- Retweet something interesting
Day 9 - Digging Deeper
- Respond to at least 2 tweets
- Retweet at least 2 tweets
- Favourite something you could use in class
Day 10 - Upping the ante
- Respond to at least 3 tweets
- Retweet at least 3 tweets
Day 11 - Twitter Chat
#edchatnz is a great chat to start with. They usually take place on a Thursday but you can read the archive of previous chats by searching for the hashtag on twitter.
Day 12 - Join a Twitter Chat
Day 13 - Nearly done
Use fosbook to share your thoughts on twitter for all to read.
Day 14
Wahoo! You are now at day 14 of the challenge. This is just the beginning of your learning journey.
The 14 Day Twitter Challenge is designed to get you started and help out with twitter basics. Continue beyond the 14 day stage and gain some of the best PD out there.
You may even want to use twitter with your students. You could set up a class twitter account. #kidsedchatnz takes place on Wednesdays at 2 pm. http://kidsedchatnz.blogspot.co.nz/.
Check out this link for the roadmap to using twitter in your classroom http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/10/teachers-roadmap-to-use-of-twitter-in.html
Happy tweeting!