Twitter+Frazier

= Thing 13 - Twitter =

Post something you learned or a resource you found out about from reading your tweets. Please identify yourself as the poster. :)


 * Spring 2012 - ITEC 7430**

"Digital Portfolios for Primary Students" from Julianne Surrency As I read the tweets of the suggested followers listed in the module, I noticed that the way in which I was reading the tweets was a way that I have never read before. I originally expected twitter to be similar to using facebook status updates; however, from following these people for a few days, I can see that it is completely different. I could see how one could clutter their feed and not get so much information, but in following only nine people, I really got some access to great information. For example, I read two articles about how students show educators their learning gains and exactly what that means. In the first article, they discussed how online or digital portfolios can be used by young students. This is something that has come up in class before and the idea is so attractive. I absolutely hate filing papers that could be thrown away by an upper grades teacher. Also, I know that with certain pieces there may be a limited reflection of what my student may or may not know on that topic. Then, moving on from that tweet and article combo, I found a related tweet and article about ways we measure our students learning, when measurable goals are basically becoming more like testing abuse than descriptors of what our students really comprehend. As a result, within one session, I found two useful, educational articles, that informed my teaching and practice all from seeing a tweet or two! I am impressed. I feel like I just went to a professional learning session and walked away as an informed practitioner. I can definitely see how twitter could become a great tool for educators who think alike! By : JS

Twitter is a peculiar thing. I've read posts from people who just state what they're doing: "eating a sandwich" or "on an airplane". And I've read posts that inform and inspire us to become involved and connected with advancing ourselves as educators. As a new Twitter follower, I've found that I receive tweets from people I don't know and I'm now following others too. Sometimes Twitter seems too connected in one's life, but the potential for reaching people on a professional and personal level offers much, much more; Twitter connects us. As we follow educators and technology leaders on Twitter, we continue to grow as technology leaders. Howie DiBlasi tweeted about the concerns for social media. Perhaps such concerns are valid. Still, In today's world, one never knows where the latest information will come from; in fact, it seems to be coming from so many technology social media sites. I particularly like the tweets from Vicki Davis. She continually posts and wants her followers to learn, share, and laugh from her tweets. Recently Ms. Davis included a tweet about a book she claimed as "AWESOME". I clicked on her link and read the article titled "Teachers are the new Rich". We are all "rich" in our jobs, far beyond monetary value. Davis also tweets about Thinglink, an online tool for creating interactive images. Most of what she is tweeting about seems to also link to her blog or her Facebook. Twitter is an added form of communicating perhaps what you've already communicated and wanted to communicate in a different way by tweeting:)
 * Beth Ragland: Admitted Twitter Follower**

Although I am familiar with many social networking tools and sites, prior to this week I had never used Twitter. In my mind, peoples tweets would be the same idea as status updates on Facebook. Much to my suprise, they are not. Tweets can only contain text and can not exceed 140 characters. This is distinctively different than Facebook. Twitter provides a place for micro-blogging and also allows for instantaneous feedback or answers from your followers. After reviewing some of the educators we were asked to follow, I came across some really helpful tips and tools. Howie DiBlasi posted a link to the [|Top 10 Apps for Digital Story Telling]. I found the link very helpful as there was only 1 tool listed that I have used before. I look forward to digging further into these tools and giving a few a try such as [|Toontastic] and [|I Tell a Story].
 * Emily Henderson: New to Twitter**

I am completely new to Twitter and never thought of it as being a professional learning network (PLN). Like many have stated before, I thought of it as strictly a socializing tool. I am now understanding that is not all it can be. After Dr. Frazier asked us to follow some very well known professionals in our area of study, I came to realize what great resources these people will share with the world. Recently, Howie DiBlasi shared Thinglink. He posted a link to a familiar blog we have all seen Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne. There Byrne shared a demo on how to use Thinglink. It basically shows you how you can take an image tag it, add any important information, and link other resources to that image. It could be a great tool for creating an interactive report where students could share their new found knowledge and resources. Teachers could also use it to create more engaging lessons for historical events, book reports, or even science lessons. Will Richardson directed me to a neat article in School Bookfrom the New York Times, where professors explain how standardized tests in fact cannot measure all that a student knows and is capable of. I am excited to see all the neat directions these people will point me in, all the cool tools and ideas they will share. I am going to share Twitter and its' possibilities with my fellow professionals.
 * Shannon Albright: Never knew the possibilities of Twitter**

Twitter A few years ago in a Web 2.0 class, I took through my county; I learned about twitter and set up an account. Unfortunately, I didn’t access it after that class because it didn’t appeal to me. After exploring the suggested “tweeters” from Dr. Frazier it appears to be more than just a “dumping post”. I have checked it often throughout the week and have a new found interest for twitter. By following [|edutopia] I have had the opportunity to read several different articles and follow other educators, such as [|Nicholas Provenzano]. His recent article, [|Twitter: To Follow or Not to Follow] provides teachers with his guidelines on using twitter with students. This was helpful for me because I wasn’t sure how to use twitter within my classroom. In addition to [|edutopia], I have learned a great deal form [|Howie DiBlasi]. Earlier this week he tweeted about using Flicker to teach vocabulary, [|check it out]! Another tweeter I have enjoyed following is [|Kathy Schrock]. She posts short practical tweets. I have explored several of her “how about” tweets. For example; her [|helloslide.com] tweet, lead me to explore a new Web 2.0 tool. I hope you all are in love with twitter just as much as I am!!!!
 * Sarah Kay Dobbs: Twitter Away!**

After several friends asking me to join Twitter and declining the offers, I am now a fellow "Tweeter". I cannot believe it! After adding the recommended "tweeters" I have found some great resources. From the magic of Twitter, I was linked to Richard Byrne. He is a teacher, speaker, and writer. His post about SmartBoard blogs caught my attention. It led me to his blog, Free Technology for Teachers. Then I was led to some great resources for my SmartBoard. I love using things that are already created. Why reinvent the wheel, right? I explored The Whiteboard Blog, which seems to be an amazing tool. It basically has "apps" for your Interactive Whiteboard. I never knew there was such a thing. I cannot wait to try out the SunAeon, which is basically a solar system simulator. I cannot wait to find others to follow on Twitter. The resources seem endless with having your own network on Twitter.
 * Katie Lewis: And it begins...**

I have used Twitter for educational purposes for the last 6 months through my #kinderchat project. I have really enjoyed reading the tweets from letting off steam about a tough day in K to scheduled chats among the members regarding topics like, iPads in kindergarten (last week's topic!). I have to admit, I'm very passive towards tweeting myself. I'm just not ready to put myself out there. I've added Howie DiBlasi, Kathy Schrock and[| Will Richardson]. Last week, I read a post shared by DiBlasi called, "50 Web 2.0 Sites for Schools." Many of the sites mentioned, I've already explored thanks to this class and ITEC 7445. Of course, I walked away with a couple more sites in my pocket and I added the blog to my Delicious account that I created this week. My favorite new site from the article was Boom Writer. What an extraordinary way to do creative writing in the classroom!
 * Amy Crandall: Twitter**

I have heard of Twitter and have friends who use Twitter, but Twitter is new to me until I have to make an account for this module. As of right now, I am still trying to figure out how to use, work, and navigate it. Everyone I know use Twitter as a way to connect with other people which is very similiar of how others use Facebook. After following a few people that I "had" to follow, I realized that Twitter can be educational as well depending on how the user make use of their Twitter account. From then on, I kept seeing tweets from Howie DiBlasi. A lot of things that he tweeted about are very informative as well as educational. Howie DiBlasi is a really good resource that I always see new tweets from. He tweeted about anything and everything that you might think will be useful for you regardless if it’s about technology or not. He tweeted an article called 11 Things You Should Know About Blogging, which I found is relevant to me. We blog a lot for this class and it’s important to know some rules and get some tips to be a good blogger.
 * Thanh Amy Nguyen: Twitter**


 * Fall 2012 - ITEC 7430 **