[Andrew Field]

Having made lots of useful connections on Twitter I'd just like to find out anyone else who is using it on this forum.

Whilst I'm not convinced that Twitter itself is a useful classroom tool for students, it is excellent for teachers. I think Twitter-like tools, where you can control the scope will be very useful in the actual classroom. In terms of teaching it is an excellent way of gathering ideas and resource suggestions.


Anyway, if you are on Twitter please do share your username. Mine is @AndyField

If you're not sure what Twitter is - read the following: http://www.guardian..../media.newmedia or do a quick Google search. Before you use it it sounds really daft but once you start it is a very useful tool.

[DaveStacey]

I'm there - @DaveStacey

For explanations as to what this is (and don't believe the tabloids by the way, it's not all about wanting to find out what various celebs had for breakfast) try this video

[johnmayo]

hi there

Mine is @johnmayo

Agree with Andrew about it as an excellent teachers tool, had a bit of a "discussion" with an Irish national radio DJ about using twitter in the classroom (which did not end well!)

I recently did a mini presentation at a Teachmeet type event at CESI on twitter which has brought out a number of Irish teachers using it into the open

[Sarah Bamford]

I'm on there because Nick and Doug made me.. but haven't got hooked .. probably as well..but will try harder if the mighty Field also issues the edict..

[Nick Dennis]

I'm on twitter - @nickdennis

Sarah, glad to have you back!

[Jeremy H]

I joined twitter yesterday - i'm following stephen fry and (the more famous) andrew field and russell tarr - I've found the latter 2's tweets v useful already and have followed them to a website of historical based podcasts and one called cool tools for schools which basically collects all the best free stuff on the web in one place for you to drool over.
I originally went onto Twitter because I am looking for a web based discussion forum to use with my students and I thought Twitter may be the answer but having spent some time on it I think not. One, you can only enter 140 characters each time you tweet, two, there is a lot of rubbish out there and your students could well end up with a lots of celeb based nonsense instead of your own nonsense.
However cool tools (above) has some alternatives which I am going to research instead - eg Phuse - anybody know anything about that? - first look I am hopeful.
Anyway I am MisterH14 on twitter - if you want to tweet me!

[Andrew Field]

I am 100% certain there will be lots of Twitter-like tools to use with students. In fact, I reckon that would be Twitter's best way of making some money - selling the functionality to businesses to allow their colleagues to work in teams and giving similar tools away to education. There are a few tools already, but none quite there yet.

Anyway - good to hear others are using Twitter. It really is useful from a teaching perspective.

[Andrew Field]

johnmayo, on Feb 21 2009, 09:20 PM, said:

Agree with Andrew about it as an excellent teachers tool, had a bit of a "discussion" with an Irish national radio DJ about using twitter in the classroom (which did not end well!)

Tell us more - what happened?!

[Dafydd Humphreys]

Consider yourselves stalked, I've just joined.

[Giles Falconer]

I'm on twitter, should anyone be interested. Can't promise much in the way of epoch making news - more likely mere whimsy... anyway for those interested it's: - gmf56

[Russel Tarr]

I'm @russeltarr

I agree with Andrew that it's great for exchanging ideas between like-minded teachers. I use TweetDeck to help manage the flow of "Tweets". It's a particularly good way of alerting people about good websites that you come across - ie things that don't really require discussion as such.

[Luke Mayhew]

my username is @lukemayhew. Trying to get my head around it at the mo.... so i follow/stalk people???? Looks like it could be useful for nicking bits and bobs....

[Dave Wallbanks]

You'll find me on davew1968

[Andrew Field]

Thanks for all those who have responded - all being followed now.

To those who haven't taken the plunge into Twitter, it genuinely is worth it. Unlike other Social Networking tools Twitter is a great way to collect resource suggestions and ideas. For teachers I think it is a great source of immediate CPD. A bit like a mini-forum.

[Carol Dean]

I'm a twitter too: @caroldean.