#whatisthis

Twitter Take II

If you set up your Twitter account a couple days ago, you are probably wondering what all the #'s and @'s are all about.  You are not alone as a new user wondering what Twitter is all about.  When I first started using Twitter, I was confused as to what everything meant.  Here is a short synopsis of what it all means.  It's pretty simple.

# is used to classify Tweets.  For example, if I am tweeting something about educational technology, I would use the #edtech hashtag to classify that tweet, or if I am tweeting while at a conference such as TIES I would use the #ties11.  The # helps users follow those same tweets.  There are also times during the week that there are chat sessions on Twitter and you can follow along and participate by following the certain hashtag (#edchat,  #spedchat).

@ is used when you mention another user in your Tweet.  If you were going to mention me in your tweet it would look like this.  Hi @braymo22, hope you are having a good day.  This way, I will get a notification saying you had mentioned me.  It's a way to make sure certain users see your tweets as well.

There are a ton of resources on the web that can help you understand Twitter.  I personally like the this resource.  Here is a list of educational hashtags to follow.

Bubbabrain

I stumbled across this awesome website the other day while I was preparing to meet with a group of social studies teachers.  Bubbabrain is a quiz game website.  It works really well on an interactive whiteboard.  Bubbabrain looks as if there is much more to it than meets the eye.  Teachers can set up an account, get a number, and students can use that number to compete within their own classes.  There is mostly social studies quizzes, but looks like there could be room to grow.  Try bubbabrain today in your classroom on your interactive whiteboard and you won't be disappointed!

Twitter as Professional Development

Twitter as Professional Development

Here we go again!  John and I are going to give this blog thing a try again.  Hopefully with the two of us we can keep things updated!  Wish us luck as we once again go on an Ed Tech Journey.

I tried Twitter three years ago and never saw the benefit of it.  I followed a few people, mostly sports stars and celebrities, tweeted what I had done that day, and then...nothing!  I didn't understand Twitter, nor did I see the benefit of it, until....I followed the correct people.  I found the "gurus", followed them, and then followed people they were following.  It was as if a light bulb went off above my head.  Learn from my mistake/blindness.  Twitter has been THE best professional development I have ever gotten, and the best part is that it is ongoing and on my own time.  If you want to join Twitter, here is how it works.

1. Go to Twitter.com and create an account.
2. Skip through the suggested people for you to follow.
3. Search for @braymo22 and @gitsul and follow us.
4. Look through who we are following, find the "gurus" from the people we follow.
5. Watch the tweets for a couple weeks before contributing.

Twitter is a conversation.  Like all conversations there are talkers and listeners.  Since you are new to the community, just listen for awhile to see what people are Tweeting.  Look for a more detailed post on the specifics of Twitter at a later date.  Just signup, login, and listen for now.  If you just cant wait watch Twitter 102 from Josh Stumpenhorst and then follow him @stumpteacher.  He is a great ed tech and social studies resource!