Twitter for Teachers

    For many teachers and educators, Twitter create more negatives than positives, more headaches than solutions.  We see online student bullying, more opportunities for "drama," and fights among students, both prearranged using Twitter and "defending someone's honor" because of something someone tweeted.  We actually spend a considerable amount of time in the classroom dealing with issues that Twitter has made possible.

    Perhaps most annoying of all problems is the "celebrity status" that students believe they have thanks to Twitter.  They're going through life thinking that they are in a movie where they play the lead actor or actress.  When they tweet, they believe that everyone will instantly read their message and that everyone deeply cares about what they write and express.  Every message and opinion they have is great, absolutely correct, and extremely important.  Consider, for example, this tweet from Ohio State Quarterback Cardale Jones about his schooling.

Another example of a positive choice with an extremely important message about which we all deeply care.  (For the record, he recently deactivated his Twitter account.  Perhaps he is learning something....)

Twitter for the Teacher

     With so many negatives, it's amazing to think that Twitter could be a positive resource for teachers.  Unbelievably, Twitter offers amazing opportunities for those educators willing to use it!  Here are some tips for educators interested in unlocking their Twitter potential.

1.) Create a Professional Twitter

    Brand yourself online using a twitter name and account that reflects you as a professional and lifelong learner.  Use this account to connect with educators around the globe and to research teaching ideas.  This can also be a way for students to connect with you outside of class - they can tweet you questions, comments, and concerns to help improve your teaching and their learning.  Don't tweet about what you ate for lunch or how much fun you had at a birthday party.  Save that for Facebook or your personal Twitter account, if you have one.

2.) Follow Other Professionals

    Follow individuals who share your interests.  Follow the people who make a difference in your field.  Follow organizations whose interests mirror your own.  Here's a couple of the people that I follow:

National Math and Science Initiative (@NMSI) - Awesome data about the importance of STEM subjects (science, technology, English, and mathematics) and the effectiveness of Advanced Placement and Pre-AP classes.

Algebra Fact (@AlgebraFact) - Gives one math fact about algebra every day.  Introduces me daily to new parts of math that I never knew existed!

CBS News (@CBSNews) - Following one of the major news networks makes my Twitter an up-to-the-minute news machine.  I know about current events before they're reported anywhere else.

Trevor Packer (@AP_Trevor) - College Board's head of AP tweets data about AP exams and any changes that are happening in the world of preparing students for college.

David Britten (@colonelb) - Superintendent of Schools in southwestern Michigan.  Tweets the most interesting education articles.  I've learned a lot reading the articles he sends out.

3.) Follow who They Follow

    Trevor Packer will never follow me - I'm not very important and nothing that I tweet will be useful to him. And that's okay - I don't have a God complex.  So when Trevor follows someone, I should definitely take note - they're someone with something to say that might be interesting to me.  Once you identify some professionals in your area that you want to follow, see who it is that they follow.  Soon enough, you'll have a giant community offering advice, anecdotes, support, and ideas to make your life better.  With this digital Professional Learning Network, I am amazed at how improved my leadership is in my classroom.  Twitter makes me a better teacher.

Follow @mrcbiscuit