Cash_Twitter

__** Twitter in the Classroom **__



The following two videos are a great introduction to Twitter, and goes into ways of using Twitter in the classroom. media type="custom" key="23901428" media type="custom" key="23966866" The following 2 videos take place in my classroom. I am teaching a lesson on the monarchies of England and Russia, and students are engaged in the lesson by the use of twitter. media type="custom" key="23966802" media type="custom" key="23966806"

__**Project Description**__ With the current push for Twitter in the classroom, I thought that it would be appropriate to introduce those who may not have any experience (or even those with experience) to useful ways to incorporate twitter into the classroom. Twitter is a free, online social networking and microblogging service that enables users to send and read "tweets," which are text messages limited to 140 characters. Registered users can read and post tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. Users access Twitter through the website interface, SMS, or mobile device app.

__**Content Uses of This Technology**__ Twitter can be used across the entire curriculum. Any subject can benefit from its use and with over 175 million users, chances are you will have several students in your classroom already registered users. Some uses available to teachers consists of using it for due dates and assignments, connect with the community, follow current issues and respond to them, take and share notes, facilitate research, connect with other classrooms, and much, much more. Another engaging use of Twitter is taking a poll and recording the data gathered. It's also a great opportunity for students to track weather patterns, and post videos.

__**Pedagogical Considerations for This Technology**__ Twitter is much more than a social networking device that can be integrated into the classroom. If used correctly, it can aid in the development of the skills (reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies) that students must learn. Furthermore, touch screen devices, like iPhones, iPod Touches and iPads in particular, are all very familiar to today's student. Therefore, there is little to no instruction needed to help these students become proficient with their use; they can seamlessly be integrated and the students can begin learning immediately. Twitter also allows for engaging, fun, self-directed learning, as properly administered discussions can provide instruction that aid the students in accomplishing a task. This approach to learning allows for the students to work on something until they feel comfortable and no one knows how well they are doing except for themselves, thus saving them from any embarrassment in front of their peers.

In addition to the pedagogical considerations for the classroom, we also took the Nets for Teachers (NETS•T) into consideration. In terms of these ISTE standards, we feel the following are applicable:
 * **Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity**
 * Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources.
 * **Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments**
 * Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own education goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.
 * **Model Digital Age Work and Learning**
 * Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations.
 * **Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility**
 * Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
 * Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.
 * **Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership**
 * Contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community.

__**Where to Purchase or Acquire**__ Twitter is a free social networking device that can be easily downloaded to any computer, iPad, or iPhone. It does require the use of one of these technological devices, which can be quite pricey. However, these devices can be purchased at the Apple store, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Verizon, etc.

__**Twitter App - Description and Price**__

__**Twitter**__ - Get real-time stories, pictures, videos, conversations, ideas, and inspiration all in your timeline.

Features:
 * Enable grouping of friends and followers
 * Auto-complete in Tweets
 * Text links in Tweets
 * Tweets threading
 * Display meta data through hover tooltips


 * __Price__ - Free**

__**Resources**__
 * 1) **6 Examples of Using Twitter in the Classroom**: []. This site contains links that recommends ways to incorporate twitter in the classroom by seeing how other teachers are incorporating it.
 * 2) **50 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom**: []. This site gives you 50 simple ways to incorporate twitter. It gives you a basic idea and then a quick summary.
 * 3) **Twitter in the Classroom**: []This site contains a short video of a school and how they are incorporating Twitter and other social media into the class by talking about digme. (digital media)
 * 4) **How to Use Twitter in the Classroom**: []. This site is another one that really discusses great ways to incorporate twitter effectively, giving easy step by step examples.
 * 5) **How Twitter in the Classroom is Boosting Student Engagement**: []. This is a great article discussing ways students are beginning to participate and contribute to group discussion just by the use of twitter.
 * 6) **Twitter Finds a Place in the Classroom**: []. This is a great article that talks about an 8th grade teacher using Twitter in his class and how it really engages his students.
 * 7) **Using Twitter in the Classroom**: []. This site has a nice short video explaining how Twitter works.
 * 8) **25 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom**: []. Here is another great website that gives some ways to incorporate twitter.
 * 9) **Teacher Uses Twitter in the Classroom**:[|http://readwrite.com/2009/06/01/how_one_teacher_uses_twitter_in_the_classroom#awesm=~oijaCV9fXtDL8e] This site has a short video on the twitter experiment. A Texas professor explains how she uses Twitter in her classroom.
 * 10) **What is Twitter?**: @http://webtrends.about.com/od/socialnetworking/a/what-is-twitter.htm. This site gives the reader a nice introduction to twitter, and explains why people would use it.
 * 11) ****The Teacher's Guide to Twitter: [] **** This site gives teachers great information on the uses of twitter, what twitter slang is, hash tag uses, and much more.