Teachers from the Trenches: My students are a bit apprehensive about Twitter. Can you share how and why you use Twitter. And now Plurk is in the mix, if you use it can you tell us why and which you like better and why.
I love twitter and plurk (just getting started with plurk). It is a great way to share information regarding many different topics that I am interested in. Not only do I have a love for learning about edtech and web2.0, I happen to be a person with insulin dependent diabetes and I'm on an insulin pump. I twitter with other people with diabetes and we share great resources.
Come follow me (and let me follow you) on twitter (andystanton) and plurk (andystanton).
hello, I'm a huge Twitter and Plurk user. I find that they have changed the way I gather and become aware of information. By following some of the leaders in educational technology as well as classroom teachers I am introduced to thoughts, links, ideas and books that I might have missed otherwise. Posting a question to either Twitter or Plurk usually ends up with suggestions and thoughts from some incredibly insightful folks!
I found Twitter in January of this year and Plurk in July. I can't tell you enough how much both have helped me grow professionally. There are many links to resources that I would never have known about if I hadn't joined these networking sites. I also have learned how important it is to connect with other teachers for ideas, support, and conversation. By being a part of these communities, I have been a part of things that I never would have done without them. I have participated in live online conferences, attended conferences virtually (and for free), joined live webcasts and participated in conversations and recently collaborated with a teacher from another country. I like plurk better now that I've used it for awhile but I really think it is important for every teacher to join at least one of these. Hope to see you there! (twitter: loonyhiker and plurk:loonyhiker)
I started using Plurk a month ago and it is amazing to have a professional learning group that spans the world. I do not know what I did without it. I can ask for help and get answers from around the globe about best practices. If your going to be in education you are going to have to get used to using a tool that provides you this type of feedback. I am a Superintendent and Plurk has made me much more efficient and effective.
I use Twitter and I find it to be an invaluable source of learning and information. I follow several noted leaders in EdTech, and through them I have been led to some truly fantastic tools to use in my virtual classroom. Along with new tools and technologies, I often get led to blog posts that make me really stop and think about why we use technology the way we do. By being a part of Twitter, I am able to connect with people outside my geographic area and discover insights I might never have thought of on my own. Education is a constant conversation point, and Twitter lets me take part in that conversation all over the world.
I agree Scott, the opportunity to receive just-in-time support on a variety of issues is amazing. Unlike chat environments open to the world where folks with highly questionable motives (to put it nicely) lurk, I have not run into problems with Twitter or Plurk, and use these tools everyday to connect and learn. I'm mainly a Twitter user, I'm more of a Plurk lurker at this point. I am:
I love Twitter and am struggling with the idea of Plurk, I like the concept, but hate that I have to go to the website. Sure wish there was a desktop client that worked for Plurk.