Building Your PLN
Find Your Own Personal Learning Network
Why Twitter?
We always want to connect with others and build our knowledge base. Twitter is a great place to start! Twitter is traditionally known as the place that people share "silly" information that no one cares about in less than 140 characters. But, that's not all it is. A group of educators have grown on Twitter to share and learn with each other. It's a pretty amazing place to stay up to date and connect with others! In fact, educators have actually taken over Twitter and have the largest presence!
Twitter is also a great way to promote our school and showcase all of the quality student work that students are working on.
Step One: Create Your Account
In the introduction, it will say "Build your Timeline. Start by following 5." In the search box, find the following people. When you find each one, click the follow button beside their name!
- @RSSInformation (Rowan Salisbury Schools)
- @lynn_moody (Dr. Moody)
- @MrsChavisBES (Amanda Chavis)
- @BostianMedia (Jennifer Roberson)
- @BostianES (school)
- @BESSigmon (Lisa Sigmon)
Then, it will have you find five more! You can pick what you want and explore. I will suggest the following for those of you who are stuck!
- @edutopia
- @Gaggle_K12
- @DiscoveryEd
- @Socrative
- @TeachersApps
- @poppletny
- @posteducation
- @salisburypost
- @21stBioSmith (Andrew Smith)
- @kellyfeimster
- @DrJuneAtkinson
- @Alesia_Burnette
- @JulieMorrow5
- @aerohive
- @WeAreTeachers
- @ReadWrite
- @educationweek
- @rmbyrne (Richard Byrne - author of Free Tech 4 Teachers website)
- @candoteach21 (Kristie Jones) - see how she uses it in her classroom!
A few of my personal favorites are
- @ClassTechTips (Monica Burns)
- @BecSpink (Teacher and Evernote Guru)
- @iPadWells (iPad Tips and Tricks)
- @Graphite (Interesting Classroom Ideas)
Then, it will have you search contacts to find more. You don't have to allow it to have access to your contacts. Just keep searching for things that interest you or your classroom.
Upload an image for your picture. (Otherwise you will be an egg and well that's just no fun!) And, be sure to give yourself a short bio! And, then check your email to verify your account!
Step Two: Learn the Lingo
Learn the Twitter Terminology through this website! It's short, sweet and to the point!
Here is another great cheat sheet as well!
Remember, you can "tag" people in posts by including @ and their username.
If you see something you like, you can retweet it to your followers!
If you see something you want to "save," favorite the tweet!
Step Three: Tweet!
Send a tweet and tag Amanda in it (@MrsChavisBES)
Example:
Hey @Mrs. ChavisHES! Look at me! I'm on Twitter now!!
Look through @edutopia's newsfeed and find an article that is fantastic. Then, retweet it!
Find another tweet (anywhere) and favorite the tweet!
Unsure if you did it right? Amanda will respond to the tweet that you tagged them in. If you don't hear from Amanda, then try again! :)
Step Four: There's an App for That
Download the Twitter app on your iPad and log into your account! It's a quick way to peruse your newsfeed when you have a spare moment.
Checklist for Credit
Make sure you have completed all of the following to receive credit for the challenge!
- Create a Twitter account.
- Send a tweet tagging Amanda
- Retweet an Edutopia tweet.
- Favorite a tweet.
- Follow at least 20 people.
- Add the Twitter app to your iPad.
We will check all of these above things on Twitter and check you off for completion! :) How will I know you did it? Tagging me in that first tweet will let us know you started the process!