Journal 2 "Join the Flock/Enhance Your Twitter Experience"

Furguson, H. (2010). Join the flock. Learning and Leading, 37(8), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/issues/Join_the_Flock.aspx

McClintock Miller, S. (2010). Enhance your twitter experience. Learning and Leading, 37(8), Retrieved from http://newsletter.cuebc.ca/enhance-your-twitter-experience-by-shannon-mcclintock-miller/

After reading these two articles, Join the Flock and Enhance Your Twitter Experience, I have to admit that it would be difficult to argue against using Twitter as an educational tool.  There is no denying the fact that when you use Twitter for the sole purpose of information-sharing, you can create your own community of professionals right in your own home.  And that community is available to you 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

Of course, there is a time commitment involved.  You get as much out of Twitter as you put into it.  But, it sure is simple.  You can search key words like "education," "elementary school," "middle school," "technology," etc., depending on how broad or narrow a spectrum of information you want at your fingertips.

Some of the searching has already been done for you.  There are lists available to help you find people you might like to follow.  You will then be presented with links that fit your areas of interest, and can potentially become important tools for you and your classroom environment.  The possibilities are endless! 

Retweeting is a good way to strengthen your relationship with your followers and those whom you follow.  It is a way for you to give back to your community, so to speak.  And, it is a complimentary act of kindness.  You are, in essence, sending a message to the original tweeter of the information that their input is important and helpful enough to share with many others in the community.

Does Twitter appear to be a useful tool for teachers or an unnecessary extra? 

I believe you cannot judge Twitter until you have been educated on it's use as a tool for teachers.  Once you are aware of the power behind the tweets, a whole new world of information becomes apparent.

Will you choose to share Twitter with your colleagues?

I most definitely will talk to my colleagues about the benefits of Twitter as a teaching tool!  When you come across a gem, you are inspired to share the wealth.  Teachers are very good at that. :)