Do You Twitter?

I've been experimenting for about three weeks with a microblogging tool called Twitter.You've probably already heard of it, or maybe you're even using it. What are your experiences with Twitter? Do you use a different microblogging tool? What do you think of it? I've heard great things about how educators are tweeting for much more than "What are you doing now?" -- the web site's motto. Teachers and tech professionals all over the world are sharing resources and advice along with their daily activities, all in 140 characters or less per post. So far I find most of the posts I'm following to be inane. A few are interesting and thought-provoking. A few share great links. I also follow BBC News, Reuters, and CNN's tweets. Last week I was finally able to send a useful "tweet" when a favorite blogger/Tweeter asked for help about Tablet PC's. He even gave me a shout out in his blog. Just a small thing, but too cool, since I am really trying to connect with other edtech professionals! (There are only 13 people following me and I can't tell whether they enjoy that or find it painful. LOL) I think I'll continue using Twitter and see what else I can learn and/or contribute.

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Comment by Laura Gibbs on September 8, 2007 at 11:34am: hi Suzanne, I don't know if I fall into the category of inane ... although I did refrain from tweeting about the incredible nectarines we had for breakfast! ha ha.

anyway, here's my take on it: students love to IM and they are a bit frustrated that I do not use any IM (it seems a big time-waster, as are most synchronous things, in my experience)

Twitter has some things in common with IM, without turning into a time-waster.

Soooooo, I am experimenting with Twitter this year to see if this is something I will try to use with my students next year - I won't use IM with them, but we could Twitter, I think.

I always try to use a technology for a year, or at least a semester, before using it with my students since they will require various levels of hand-holding in order to try something new (school teaches students to be timid, one of the worst things about school... argh!)

ANYWAY: I'm enjoying the experiment and it's been a curious way to meet you and to meet some other people I'm following. So far, I like it! :-)

Comment by L. Suzanne Shanks on September 10, 2007 at 6:23pm: Thanks for your input! I agree with your policy of using a new technology for quite some time before giving it to the students. I don't think I'll use Twitter with them; right now it's all I can do to practice teaching blogs and wikis. That may take me until Christmas to get a basic handle on!

Thanks again.