Twitter and Plurk, Microblogging

[Cyndi Danner-Kuhn]

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.

[Rod Tolle]

I've tried Twitter and Plurk, but have yet to blend them into my routine.

I have several colleagues who are really into one or the other (or both), but I find that I waste too much time at these sites. I think it has something to do with the fact that I want to know everything (not in an eaves-dropping sort of way, just craving knowledge).

I know these sites can be worthwhile, but I get caught up in my daily routine and tend to ignore them.

[Rusty Willis]

I am a student and I'm just starting to play with Twitter. Do the current teachers think this could be used with a classroom as an "electronic"pen pal program? I am very into virtual experiences for my future students. I was also wondering if anyone had any bad experiences with Twitter, etc, for example, unwanted responses. I want to make sure I don't open myself up too much to something I'm not prepared for.

[samccoy]

As you say, Cyndi, microblogging in a social network like Plurk, Twitter, Pownce, or Jaiku might be intimidating, but it seems to me to be a constraint that we are trained from childhood to avoid...."talking to strangers"....among other constraints of unmet expectations. For instance:
1. Will anyone talk with me?
2. What if I say something stupid?
3. Who will follow me? and it's corollary:
4. How do I know who to follow?

I had many of these same apprehensions, as did many in my PLN, when we first started microblogging. I can assure you that the benefits to my professional development far outweighed any initial reservations.

Ah, but you say: "You have lots to say!" My answer is, "Not really! When I began microblogging, I knew quite a bit about some educational technology, but very little about some of the more recent trends and issues. That is where my PLN came into play.
1. They brought me up to speed.
2. Forgave me when I made numerous faux pas.
3. Laughed at AND with me when I have pity parties,
4. Cheered me on when I made presentations.
5. Joined me at conferences.
6. Encouraged my positive view about the future of education.
7. Shared my world.

I am a VERY private, wary person. When I first started microblogging, I used pictures and clipart that represented me. That is OK! I also picked a name that represented my connection to teaching (yup! I am n2teaching). That is OK! I never gave personal information, even my town, much less my state. That is OK!

When you join a microblogging social network, such as Plurk, I would suggest that you go to our sites and, at least, become a fan. If someone requests to be a friend, here are some things that I look for:
1. They mention what they do (or intend to do): teacher, student, artist, designer, business person, doctor, etc.
2. They have plurked at least a bit.

Yup! that's it. The only other thing you should remember is to be a good colleague and respond to those you choose to follow. When I first started, I didn't understand how someone could follow more than twenty or thirty people, but now I follow many more. I may not respond to each every day, but I try to share or respond to all colleagues....NOT necessarily ALL TWEETS OR PLURKS!

If something doesn't seem right, I let people be my fan, but I wait to see more Plurk (or Twitter, etc) entries, before I become a fan or friend. I also may look at their friends and fan lists to see if I recognize anyone. I have then plurked that Plurk colleague/friend to ask about a person who wants to be my friend. Also, I have plurked (tweeted) colleagues and asked them to introduce me to a person that I want to follow.

As I have explained, I am not just out there making friends and colleagues with anyone, but I will be friends with any person who is trying to learn, grow and have fun with microblogging on a social network.

I will friend young people, if they are in high school, part of a colleague's class or someone I know in the real world. This is critical for you as new teachers. Future employers may Google your name and search for information about your online behavior, so I probably would not friend anyone that is under 18 or anyone who is your student, UNLESS it is part of an administratively approved microblogging group.

Yes, there are rules. I have rules, and my colleagues have rules. Sometimes, our rules our the same, but not always. YOU will make up your own rules, sometimes you will need to re-evaluate your rules, even change them. I have done that.

I will tell you that my microblogging experience in various social networks has been wonderful. I hope you will try it and join me on Twitter or Plurk. Then you can find other fellow educators from all over the world that you can follow. Here is a sample professional development Plurk.

[Cyndi Danner-Kuhn]

Educators strengthen classroom community with Twitter
Twitter -- which allows users to broadcast short updates via text message -- may help educators remind students about such things as homework and trips, this column notes. Moreover, encouraging student use of the microblogs also may help foster or enhance a sense of classroom community as well as help students learn critical communications skills, such as brevity and focus. To read the complete article:
http://searchenginewatch.com/showPage.html?page=3630980

[samccoy]

Matthew, I agree totally that microblogging social networks compound your abilities and resources. Twitter is cool, and I like Plurk for ongoing threaded conversations that can be bookmarked for later use.