
Twitter is the technology I focused on most with the members of CCRA. Initially, I was resistant to sign up for a Twitter account. Once I began Tweeting — and got my sea legs! — I came to appreciate the way Twitter helped me connect with other writers. If you’re not on Twitter yet, consider thinking about your purpose before you get started. Having a purpose can help you cultivate a PLN or find like-minded individuals with the same interests as you.

Once you figure out why you’re going to use Twitter, it helps to:

These are two slides from a large PPT I shared. In lieu of sharing my presentation, I’m sharing the handout I provided to CCRA participants. It contains links to some of the information I provided, plus articles and other resources for interacting with other teacher-writers online. I hope it’ll provide those of you who are blogging and microblogging newbies with the resources you need to get started. For anyone who is a seasoned blogger or Twitter user, I hope you find some new, interesting people to follow, articles to read, or things to think about among the links in the handout.
I’m wondering: how have blogging and microblogging helped you grow as a writer? How has having a PLN helped you as well? AND IF YOU ARE NEW TO blogging and/or microblogging, how can those of us here at TWT help you get started? Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
I’m so sorry to have missed your talk, Stacey! One of my district colleagues mentioned that it was wonderful. I was in Lancaster for the annual PA Gifted conference – or I would have been there!
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I am a twitter newbie and just need a “twitter coach”:) I did just have a go at tweeting though, with a little help from my daughter. I love the thought of being connected to wonderful learners and passionate people from all over the world. And….TWT has been AMAZING for me in just a couple of short months of knowing you! Thank you!!
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Give yourself more credit, Tracey. You’re doing great!
Hope you find some of the links in the handout useful. LMK how else I can help.
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We are new to all of you and TWT has been so supportive! We feel more connected than we ever have professionally before. Blogging has really pushed us to live the writerly life and think about life through a writer’s lens. Thanks for all you do!
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I’m so glad you joined the SOLSC and the blogosphere. I learn so much from the two of you.
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Blogging in SOL community has been a major professional development for me. I have learned writing, about writing, about helping young writers to grow. It has also helped to improve the PD section of our Library. It gave me the confidence to publish a piece of my writing in a PD book for teachers. (http://justforamonth.blogspot.com/2013/03/lets-celebrate-bit-of-my-writing-was.html) I would have never ever dared to do it without SOL writing and the inspirational people in this community. The same wonderful people nudged me to join Twitter. I consider myself still a novice. Recently I joined two twitter chats. My last two blog posts this week were both about this experience. (http://justforamonth.blogspot.com/2014/04/participatory-culture.html)
The best part of it all has been meeting (virtually) amazing people all over the world. I appreciate TWT for getting me started with blogging.
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And hopefully we’ll meet in person some day! (It is pretty cool to ‘know’ people around the world.)
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I love the connections that blogging has brought to me as both a writer and a teacher. I’m in and out of Twitter. I love the connections, but often feel overwhelmed with keeping up with it all.
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Someone asked me a question about feeling overwhelmed by all of the different technologies. My advice is to start small and get good and comfortable with one. You don’t have to do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and keep a blog if it feels like it’s too much.
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I have just recently become more active on Twitter. The connections there keep me going. It’s like a cheerleader for writing. When I get favorited or retweeted, I get this feeling of being noticed, validated.
The connections I’ve made with other writers through blogging have not only made me a better writer, they have made me value writing in a new way. I have found a community where I belong.
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Twitter can be great. It can also be a time-suck. I can spend hours reading article upon article. There’s just so much content out there!
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Funny but connected too,…..I posted about TWITTERING this morning….It’s powerful and blogging is low commitment writing which is all teacher have time to do!
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Exactly.
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Stacey,
I love how blogging and microblogging have helped me to connect and learn from other writers!
Twitter has also helped foster learning from daily tweets about topics of interest to chats and tweet ups at conferences- learning.never.stops!
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I know you’re really great about participating in Twitter Chats, Amy. You’re an inspiration!
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