Twitter

Twitter is Social Networking. When it was created, that was its intended purpose. But for educators, it is not about using Twitter socially, it is about using Twitter professionally. Using Twitter is the first step in the creation of a Professional Learning Network.

There are teachers from all grades and subjects, professors, superintendents, and technology staff that are using Twitter to connect with one another to share resources, information, ideas, concepts, and stories related to education. As one person said, “Twitter means that going across the hall has just gone global.”
Imagine being able to get instant feedback from people about lesson plans, activities, or student projects. Just think for a minute about a time you needed to get some ideas for a project. You might login to Google and search and get tons of link that lead you to a site that means even more searching. Now try that same search using Twitter and a PLN, and you get results that are tailored to your inquiry better than a Google Search could ever do.

Getting started with Twitter can take time. The time invested however will be the greatest professional development you could ever get as a teacher. As you are reading this, you are probably skeptical about the idea of Twitter. Well, I was once in your shoes. I was once skeptical myself. Now, the value that connecting with other educators on Twitter has provided me is immeasurable. Don’t be scared to “step outside the box” of normal professional development.


Tools for the 21st Century Teacher - By: Michael Zimmer