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What is it? 
Twitter is a free social software and micro-blogging service that allows users to send text-based messages with a maximum of 140 characters via cell phone, text messaging or e-mail to the Twitter website, or an application such as Twitterrific.
Although Twitter is similar to both blogs and instant messaging, a Twitter requires that the user keep messages quick and concise and the messages are archived on the Twitter website.
What are the educational uses and benefits?
Collaboration
- Fosters interaction among students and instructors.
- Creates a friendly and open environment in both the face to face and distance education classroom.
- Students can post questions for the instructor.
- Students and instructor can post resources and links.
- Students and instructor can comment on topics.
- Can be utilized as a brainstorming tool.
How do I get started?
- Create a Twitter account.
- Create a user profile.
- Enter a Tweet. If your user information is public then your Tweet will appear in the website timeline in reverse chronological order.
- Each Tweet post identifies the poster and links to their profile page.
- To send Tweets to specific people add them to your friend list and their Tweets will appear on your Twitter home page.
- If you choose to “follow” a user that persons Tweets will be sent to you.
- Twitter also allows users to subscribe to the RSS feeds of specific users which will allow the RSS aggregator to receive the Tweets of several users in one timeline.
To utilize Tweeter in the classroom:
- Request that each student register for a Tweeter account.
- Request that the students add each other to their friends list.
- The instruction may also wish to create a webpage with an RSS feed so that the class Tweets are aggregated into one location. In addition, E-Learning at UF includes an RSS aggregator as a tool feature.
- If the instructor creates an RSS feed, once the student submits a Tweet it will automatically appear in the Twitter timeline and in the RSS feed.
Where can I learn more?
- 7 Things You Should Know About Twitter: An two page PDF describing the educational uses and benefits of Twitter.
- How Twitter Creates a Sixth Sense: An article on the growing popularity of Twitter.
- Twitter: The Twitter homepage.
- This Twittering Life: An anectdotal analysis of Twitter as an educational tool.
- Twitter Fan Wiki: A Wiki about Twitters.
- Wikipedia - Twitter: Detailed explanation and resources on Twitter.
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