This is what most people think of Twitter

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Introduction – What is Twitter?

A microblogging service for friends, family, and co-workers to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question.

Twitter is primarily used for daily chatter, conversations, sharing resources, and reporting news.

It‟s considered a “social network” because, depending on who you follow/who follows you, it can connect people with similar interests.

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The Importance of Social Presence

Social presence is, “the ability of participants in a Community of Inquiry to project their personal characteristics into the community, thereby presenting themselves to other participants as „real people.‟”

Social interaction and connection has significant influence over student engagement.

When faculty stay in touch with students through informal communication and dialogue, students report that it helps them get through the rough times (studying, etc.) and keep on working. It also helps them develop a better understanding of the material.

Twitter In Action

If a student has a question about the reading/homework, they can ask other classmates or the instructor using a tool they‟re comfortable using.

A student finds something that relates to something they‟re doing in class and can post a video/article link on Twitter for the rest of their classmates to see.

A student can post something they‟d like feedback from. People are more likely to give constructive feedback when they‟re not doing discussing it face-to-face, thus making everyone more comfortable.

In many studies, classmates developed better relationships with one another when they interacted with one another through Twitter.

Other Instructional Benefits of Twitter

Addressing Student Issues in a Timely Manner

- Twitter is available on nearly every mobile device, which makes it easy and practical for teachers to tend to students should they ask a question or need assistance.

Writing Concisely

- Twitter only allows for 140 characters, and while writing multiple “posts” is possible, it‟s more convenient to write one explaining as much as you can in as few words as possible.

Other Instructional Benefits of Twitter (cont.)

Writing for an Audience

- Participating on Twitter helps students become more sensitive to (and aware of) their audience. They‟re more likely to make professional decisions about what perspectives and ideas they should share publically and which they should keep private.

Connecting with a Professional Community of Practice

- Many professionals use Twitter, and connecting (and communicating) with them is made easier through Twitter. Many teachers & students are able to receive immediate feedback to their questions.

Other Instructional Benefits of Twitter (cont.)

Supporting Informal Learning

- Informal learning involves “activities that take place in students‟ self-directed and independent learning time, where the learning is taking place to support a formal program of study, but outside the formally planned and tutor-directed activities.”

Maintaining on-going relationships

- Students and teachers are more likely to maintain a relationship after the course is over if both are connected through Twitter. This allows the teachers to still advise the students academically and professional as much as possible.