Learning in the ‘hallways’ of Twitter
July 22, 2008
Dare I admit this in my blog? I think I am addicted to Twitter!
A day doesn’t go by without checking my Twitter updates. I haven’t quite put my finger on why it is so addictive. What possesses me to log on each morning to see what are people are doing, reading, saying or thinking? And why do I feel compelled to answer in 140 characters or less the question – What are you doing? Do people really care?
Today I am a panelists on KnowledgeBank for a follow up session of Steve Hargadon keynote – Web2.0 is the Future of Education. It is reading his paper on 10 Trends he believes have importance for education, that I started to make some connections with why I like Twitter.
Trend 1 – New Publishing Revolution – I can create content through micro-blogging and make links to other content.
Trend 2 – A Tidal Wave of Information – There is so much to learn from the Twitter community. You can always find new tools, find out about a project or some interesting research. You can even call on the Twittersphere for advice – see Jess McCulloch’s post.
Trend 3 – Everything is Becoming Participative – Twitter allows for opinions, reflections and comments. Dialogue can be generated out of a link to a news story or a video.
Trend 4 – The New Pro-Sumers - I can consume, produce and digest.
Trend 5 – The Age of the Collaborator – I can find new ideas and great experiences shared via Twitter. I can work on shared understandings and collaborate to create new knowledge – all through a tweet.
Trend 6 – An Explosion of Innovation – Many new ideas, projects have come about from communicating globally with other like minded, or not so like-minded people.
Trend 7 – The World Gets even Flatter and Faster – Twitter is anytime, anywhere! I can connect globally 24/7. Twitter does not close for the day.
Trend 8 – Social Learning Moves Towards Centre Stage – Much of my learning about Web2.0 most definitely has come through social online interaction. Twitter has been my ‘hallway’ for learning. It is that quick chat, the touch base with a colleague, the overhearing of the a little gem that for me, is the most addictive thing about Twitter.
Trend 9 – The Long Tail – The more I learn about Web2.0 on Twitter the more I want to learn. I have a passion to learn and am active in my pursuit.
Trend 10 – Social Networking Really Opens Up the Party – and wow what a party it’s been so far.
So what do others think?
Entry Filed under: 21st Century Skills, Web2.0. Tags: collaboration, communication, education, future, global, learning, micro-blogging, social, twitter, Web2.0.
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1.
Anne Baird | August 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I would have to agree with everything you have said Helen. Twitter is very clearly becoming an essential part of my personal learning network. I think where it’s different to professional learning teams in our own schools is the fact that we choose who we follow and by association who follows us. So we end up with a network of colleagues who share the same interests, goals, passions and even energy. Sadly too often the PLTs at schools are very hard work in terms of maintaining interest, energy and dedication to the task and the development of professional practice and the team.
More and more I am recognising the incredible power of microblogging (Twitter) and blogging in general as an ongoing professional development. Because we choose to create our own learning networks it makes it even more powerful.
2.
Beth Still | August 2nd, 2008 at 1:44 pm
My name is Beth Still and I am addicted to Twitter. I post a few times a day. I post anything from insightful comments to inside jokes. I love Twitter because it has allowed me to feel a connection to people while I have been working in a somewhat isolated environment over the summer. The comments that still make me say “wow” are the ones I see around 7pm (MDT). It is about that time when the people I follow “down under” are just waking up. It hits me that I am connected to people on the other side of the world who share common interests. I don’t know why, but it is just a great feeling to know my network spans the globe.
3.
Cory Plough | August 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Helen- Its okay, its okay. You can be addicted to Twitter. Many have fallen under its spell and nothing too bad has happened as a result. Unlike many other addictions, this one reaps positive rewards. I can safely say that I have learned more from my PLN on Twitter than from all the BA History classes I took. Or from all the MA EdTech courses I am taking. I trust that when I am on there I will learn. That is very much different than any other educational experience Ive ever had!
I Twitter therefore I learn.
4.
Elaine Talbert | August 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I like your observations connected to the Hargadon trends. I also wonder why Twitter is so compelling.
I signed up last year and resisted until about four weeks ago.
I only started using Twitter because of BeTwittered where it is on my igoogle page and that is fantastic! Also, I love the sleekness of TweetDeck.
So, I finally found it was easy to do and not just another tool to try to remember to use.
I like responding to tweets from hours ago and thanking people I have never met for the many professional learning opportunities I can so easily access.
The web meetings I have participated in have added a whole new dimension.
Elaine
5.
helenotway | August 2nd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Anne – I think we are both addicted
The beauty of Twitter is that no one is forcing us to use it, to attend or to be interested. The motivation comes from within and it is real.
Beth – I know that ‘wow’ feeling. I love how you can just respond to a simple ‘good morning’ from the other side of globe, to discover mutual interests and connections.
Cory – lol :-0 Very true. And we don’t have the four walls to keep us somewhere where we don’t need/want to be.
Elaine – I haven’t used those Twitter apps. Thanks for the heads up. I agree that the web meetings have been great too. A good chance to follow up on tweets from the week and much more.
6.
Angela Maiers | August 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 am
Hello, my name is Angela Maiers, and I am a Twitterholic! I have been Twittering for almost three months and have no intention of quitting.
Seriously, you hit the nail on the head at every point. I hesitated to begin Twitter thinking shy would people care? Who has time to do this, and more importantly what would be the point? What can be said beyond hey, how’s your hat in 140 characters?
WOW-was I wrong. I have learned more, made deeper connections, been inspired and impacted by 140 characters more than anything else Web2.0! Twitter is a must have tool for every 21st century learner!
Great post!