Engaging TweetsTwitter as a Personal Learning Network

Diane Schrecker, Ashland University

Kaylin Tristano, Brown Mackie CollegeALAO 2014: Empowering Our Communities

November 14, 2014

#tweetalao

Today we will ...

1. Introduce Twitter (overview)

2. Discuss Twitter as Personal Learning Network

3. Demonstrate methods of “casual networking”

4. Model tools you can use with Twitter

#tweetalao

Session housekeeping

Use #tweetalao to participate during - live tweet - and

after our session.

● Pinterest: Twitter articles & infographics

● Twubs: Live tweet & session archive

● Slideshare: Presentation will be available

#tweetalao

Live Tweet?

“Live Tweeting” is often referred to as back channel

communication - it is a way to talk with other

conference/event goers.

Attendees can pose questions to presenters, increase

interactivity session participants, and create dialog

during and after a presentation.

#tweetalao

What is Twitter?

What is Twitter?

Twitter is a social media network where registered

users can share “real-time” information and

conversations via tweets.

Tweets are 140 character posts; they are “an

expression of a moment or idea” that can contain

text, photos, and videos.

#tweetalao

What is Twitter? #tweetalao

What is Twitter?

“When you follow people, their Tweets instantly show

up in your timeline. Similarly, your Tweets show up in

your followers timelines.” - Story of a Tweet, Twitter

#tweetalao

What is Twitter?

“Conversations on Twitter are spontaneous and

casual. Chime in with a comment or tell someone

you liked what they said by retweeting it or marking

it as a favorite.” - About Twitter

#tweetalao

Twitter is not without challenges ...

What is Twitter? #tweetalao

What is Twitter?

When you tweet, visualize you

are standing outside talking

loudly enough for anyone to

hear your thoughts & ideas.

Be careful with your words &

what you share.

#tweetalao

Getting Started

Twitter Bio

Include a descriptive bio ...

Why a bio ?

Bio information helps people to decide who to follow.

And an image … no egg!

If on Pinterest, LinkedIn, Instagram, or other social

media, consider using the same image for your ‘brand.’

#tweetalao

Twitter profile

Customize and edit your

profile at any time:

● change header image

● change profile picture

● update name and bio text

● add blog links

● choose a theme

#tweetalao

Twitter profiles #tweetalao

Casual Networking

Casual Networking

● Low pressure

● Easy way to make connections

● Meet people in your field/area of interest

● Great option for those who are isolated

geographically or socially (small libraries)

#tweetalao

Casual Networking

● Find friends and peers

● Follow people with similar interests

● Review who your friends are following

● Use Twitter’s follow recommendations

● Make and join lists

● Find and follow interesting hashtags

#tweetalao

Hashtags? Slow Chats?

Hashtags are how you network and connect to

other people talking about the same thing.

#tweetalao #ALAO2014

#librarianproblems #saturdaylibrarian

#librarylife #sundaylibrarian

#tweetalao

Casual Networking

“Twitter takes time. You can't simply join and think you

get it. You must try to get on regularly for about 20 or

30 minutes at first. Find ways to engage with people,

much like you would if you were going into a social

function by yourself … look for someone you identify

with and strike up a conversation.” - Peter DeWitt

#tweetalao

Twitter Chats

Twitter Chats #tweetalao

11/11/1

4

Twitter Chats: Basics

● Chats are available for virtually

any subject

● Scheduled for specific days &

times (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly)

● Find chats by topic/day online at

TweetReports.com or follow

@ChatSalad

#tweetalao

Twitter Chats: Library

#inaljchat - Mon @ 9pm EST

#critlib - alternate Tues @ 9pm EST

#libchat - every Tues @ 8pm EST

#uklibchat - 1st Tues @ 1:30pm EST

#snaprt - 5th, 15th & 25th each month

@ 8pm EST

#tweetalao

Twitter Chats: Getting Started

● Find a chat of interest

● Follow the hashtag

● ‘Lurk’ until comfortable

participating

● Submit questions to the

moderator for group feedback

and discussion

#tweetalao

Twitter Chats: Structure

1. Moderator poses questionsEx.) Q1 What sessions have resonated with you today? #tweetalao

1. Participants reply and converseEx.) A1 I find most of the sessions at ALAO conferences inspiring! #tweetalao

Use the hashtag so everyone can follow your responses.

Or - omit it to send a private reply to a participant.

#tweetalao

Twitter Chats: Keeping Up

Twitter app or desktop, either will work for chats.

Options are available for participating:

● Method 1: follow chat hashtag on Twitter

● Method 2: Hootsuite (app / web) or Tweetdeck (web)

● Method 3: Twubs (web) or TweetChat (app/web)

● Method 4: Storify

#tweetalao

Tweetdeck & Hootsuite

Connect multiple social

media accounts.

Organize hashtags &

accounts into streams.

Compose & schedule

your tweets.

#tweetalao

Twubs

Clean interface, easy

to see hashtag & chat.

Select feed speed or

pause to stop reading

(TiVo for Twitter).

Tweets are archived.

#tweetalao

TweetChat

Web browser or app.

Connects to Twitter.

URL shortner helps save

space while tweeting.

Hashtag added when

tweeting from room.

#tweetalao

Storify

Organize chat &

subject specific

tweets in an

archive; add non-

Twitter media/links

to enrich the story

#tweetalao

Twitter: Your PLN

#tweetalao

Start your Twitter PLN ...

● Follow our session #tweetalao

● Tweet your questions using #tweetalao

● Follow #alao2014 today

● look for discussion starters and chat questions from us

during the remainder of the conference.

#tweetalao

#tweetalao

Looking for Twitter peeps to follow?

Visit our list of Ohio & ALAO tweeps:

https://twitter.com/dschrecker/lists/alao-2014-tweetalao

#tweetalao

#tweetalao

Interested in participating in a monthly

#tweetalao chat?

Watch the #tweetalao hashtag today. RT to

share the idea with your followers and favorite if

you are interested in participating.

#tweetalao

#tweetalao

Let’s Tweet!

How will you use Twitter as part of

your personal learning network?

#tweetalao

#tweetalao

#tweetalao

Thanks for attending,see you on twitter!

#tweetalao