3 years, 9 months, 4 weeks, 2 days, 5 hours, 45 minutes, 4 seconds
Aug. 22, 2007
I’ve been twittering that long!
I started tweeting to keep in touch with my most techie granddaughter who lives far away, hence my name: grammasheri. At first I didn’t get it, but later, in webinars, educators referred to their twitter names. I started lurking, much as Jessica Hibbert discussed recently in her challenge post about Twitter. Eventually I realized how important connecting was, and how important it is to update the profile — let people know who you are and where your blog is so they can read your work and check in.
I think it is easier to connect with Twitter now because so many people do tweet — and are willing to give tips.
Here are two:
One thing I’ve learned is not to worry too much about the spammers — the ones with no tweets and following thousands. They usually don’t last long on the Twitter feed. Recently I’ve discovered the ones with no followers but who mention your twitter name with a link to who knows what. They’re easy to spot now that Twitter pushes notices — no name, a weird handle, and only tweeting. I usually report them as spam.
Secondly, if an educator follows me, I’ll follow back. I usually but not always, depending on my schedule, will find out their interests and share a link related to their work. Once, I sent relevant links to each member of a university class because their professor sent out a tweet request. It was fun reading their student teaching portfolios and what they were studying. It was like giving back to those who had helped me.
Look here for my 2009 experiences, when I really got started: My Initial Twitter Reflections .
If you are a fourth grade teacher, especially in social studies and math, follow @plnaugle Paula has become a dear friend — online; she has so many projects and ideas to share.
If you need technology reviews or tips, these two really help: @Larryferlazzo teaches inner city high school — but his list of “favorites” and other blog info at http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/ will provide you with hours of learning.
and @russeltarr who creates http://www.classtools.net/ a lot of great classroom tools.
For language arts and social media, two people with tech skills have really helped keep me up to date:
Silvia Tolisano @langwitches http://www.langwitches.org/blog
Shelly Terrell @ShellTerrell http://teacherbootcamp.edublogs.org/
My most recent inspiration comes from new tweeple connections who are definite musts to follow on twitter and read their blogs:
Denise Krebs @mrsdkrebs http://mrsdkrebs.edublogs.org/ Dare to Care —Creating, Contributing, Connecting, Collaborating & Curating
Tracy Watanabe @tracywatanabe http://wwwatanabe.blogspot.com/ learning about 21st Century classrooms, Project-Based learning, One-to-One, and Individualized Instruction through rigor, relevance, and relationships…
Marsha Ratzel @ratzelsterl http://teachingtechie.typepad.com Reflecting on using 21st century technologies to amplify learning.
I know I will be meeting more in the Build Your PLN Challenge. How about you?
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Sheri, I’ve been so busy taking photos 🙂 that I’m just catching up on my Google Reader, so I finally made it to your blog. Thanks for mentioning me as a Twitter followee. I’m humbled!
Denise
We’ve got to share those who inspire us with others. Thanks for all you’ve done for promoting blogging for students and teachers.
Hi Sheri,
Thanks for writing this great post! It really shows people that persistence with Twitter pays off.
I agree with your recommendations and I too have found a lot of inspiration from Marsha and Tracy lately.
See you on Twitter! 🙂
Kathleen
@Kathleen, inspiration in small doses adds spice to what we do. Thanks for stopping by and sprinkling a little more here. 🙂 Sheri
Hi Sheri,
I’ve been traveling and am in Philly for ISTE. Today was the first time I’ve had a chance to catch up with my PLN, and was super excited to see a post by you. As usual, I read every word you write because I get so much out of it… and to my pleasant surprise, I saw your complement. What an honor! Thanks so much, and it’s so mutual. I even noticed on your Clustr Map the big dot on Apache Junction, Arizona — which are the AJUSD teachers, students, and me because we learn so much from you. Thank you for all you do. You inspire!
Kind regards,
Tracy
Thanks Tracy. I hope you are enjoying Philly — I so want to be there. Independence Hall is one place I must see in this world. It means so much to me. I will look for your blog posts and tweets about #ISTE11. I know I will learn from what you have learned. Thank you. Sheri
Hi Sheri,
and thanks for sharing your story on how you started out. I really like the ways we can connect through challenges and tweeting. Hope to be sharing with you soon!
Anna, I look forward to your blog about your work this year — you have so many courses you are teaching.
Great thoughts on this post – good recommendations on who to follow. I look forward to learning and sharing with you after this challenge!
Other educators I like to follow are @ktenkely (iLearn Technology) and @powell4thgrade (4th grade teacher from Michigan).
Thanks again!
Theresa
Theresa, thanks for stopping by and for the super tips on who to follow. I’ve enjoyed the challenge and learning with you.