This article was about using Twitter as a tool to develop a
professional learning network, or PLN. The author wrote with the intent of
introducing new users to Twitter and encouraging them to take small steps
toward making themselves comfortable with using Twitter, following the posts of
other people, and eventually making your own posts to share with others. The
author points out that developing a PLN on Twitter can be a great way to find
academic and professional resources that you may not be able to find on your
own, at least not without a great deal of time and research. And for those who
are not entirely comfortable with using Twitter, the author points out that you
do not necessarily have to be an interactive member of the PLN, you can simply
read others’ posts and tap into their resources anonymously. However, the way
to get the most use out of a PLN is to be a contributing member so that you can
have conversations over interesting topics and others will be keener to share
their resources with you.
Q1: How might developing a PLN be useful as a teacher?
A1: Taking the time to develop a PLN can be useful in
several ways. It can provide you with ideas for lesson plans and resources you
may want to introduce to your students. You can also have brief conversations
with other Tweeters to clarify information or ask questions. And it fosters a
sense of community with your fellow educators. It is always easier to perform
your job when you feel like you have the full support of your fellow
professionals.
McClintock, S. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience.
Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(8). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Libraries/Leading_and_Learning_Docs/June_July_2010_Join_the_Flock.sflb.ashx
This article suggested using an organizer to make using
Twitter more effective and more manageable. The author recommends downloading
either TweetDeck or HootSuite. That way you will be able to view and organize
the people that you are following on Twitter into lists right on your desktop.
Using one of these organizational tools can also make the Twitter experience
easier because you are able to roll over a member’s avatar and direct message
or retweet something they’ve said very easily.
Q2: How can using an organization tool make Twitter more
user-friendly?
A2: Using Twitter can be somewhat daunting to someone who is
unfamiliar to it. The Twitter site has little organization to it and you cannot
group the people you are following by categories. Enter organizational tools
like TweetDeck. Using TweetDeck can make the whole process a lot less
confusing. You are able to easily see which members you are following and you
can group them into lists according to topic. Having the people you are
following nicely organized can increase the likelihood that you will actually
make use of Twitter as a professional tool rather than throw your hands up in
defeat and confusion.
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