Using Twitter as a Tool for Teaching Social Studies

Parker Fulton

What is Twitter?

     Twitter is a popular social networking tool that allows users to write posts in 140 characters or less.  Posts are often used to update a user's followers on daily happenings, but users post tweets on any number of topics.  Tweets can be used to voice opinions on hot button issues, they can be used to notify others about upcoming events, they can be used to converse, and they can be used to gain support.  Because of its versatility, Twitter is used by people from all walks of life.  Politicians, athletes, musicians, comedians, and movie stars all use Twitter, and the Twitter network's popularity is a large part of its charm.  Many famous people use Twitter as an integral part of their daily lives, and this creates a strong draw for children of all ages.  If integrated appropriately, Twitter can be used as a valuable tool in delivering high-quality instruction.

How is Twitter used, and how can I get started? (Functions and Tutorial)

     Twitter is a rather simple tool, with a list of basic functions:

• Bio/Photograph - On his or her page, a user may write a brief bio.  This bio usually explains, in as few words as possible, who the user is and what he or she does. As a part of a user's "profile," a photograph of the user is most often added.  To view a user's profile, you simply need to click on the user's profile photo.
• Homepage - A user's homepage is where tweets appear.  The user's tweets appear on the home page, as well as those of the others the user is following.  From the homepage, user's can also click to tweet, click to view trends, click to view his or her profile, and click to view updates (new tweets, new followers, etc.).
• Following Users and Gaining followers - As a part of Twitter, users have the ability to follow other users.  When a user follows another, he or she subscribes to that user's tweets, which then appear on the home page.  The number of users a user can follow is limitless.  On the flip side, users may acquire followers.  The most popular Twitter users have the most followers, and the number of followers a user has is indicative of the user's reach within the Twitter community.
• Trends (Hash Tags) - Users can tag keywords (and other users) by placing a "#" in front of the word, such as "#twitterisawesome!"  If many users use a hash tag in front of one term or name, that term or name may end up on the list of "trends."  Users can view trends at any time by clicking on the "#" icon.
•  @ - Users can tweet to other users by placing a "@" in front of their name.  E.g. @johnsmith: Hey!  The "@" icon is an integral piece of Twitter conversations.  

Tutorial:

Step 1:  On the Twitter home screen (twitter.com), type in your name, email, and password.

Step 2: Click on "Sign Up," and you will be taken to another page.  

Step 3: Pick your preferences (there are only a few), then click on "Create my account."

Step 4: Follow the tutorial provided by Twitter.  The site claims that you can get started in 30 seconds, and you can!

Step 5: From your new homepage, you can update your photo and bio, and you can start tweeting, following people, and gaining followers yourself.

Twitter's Applications to Teaching and Learning

Twitter has many application when it comes to teaching and learning.  Here are some examples of how Twitter could be used in the elementary classroom:

1. Twitter can be used to update the community on the learning going on in the classroom.  Students can update a classroom account during the day.  The exercise of condensing learning into 140 characters is highly valuable, and it can push students to think about what is most important about their learning.  Being a part of the social networking scene is exciting for students, and using Twitter is something they'll want to do.  Additionally, this exercise will help to keep parents and community members informed about classroom activities, and that is something that parents appreciate and enjoy.

2. Twitter can be used during a biographical study of important people in history.  Students can create Twitter accounts for important people (say, Benjamin Franklin or George Washington), and they can use Twitter as a way of documenting their learning.  Students can use their famous person's account to converse with other students' accounts, and students can be pressed to think about how important people conversed in their time.  Students can "update" their "followers" about important events in their person's life, and they can post tweets about what would have been important to that person during their lifetime.

3. Twitter can be used as a part of a study of contemporary society, in any number of ways.  Students can use Twitter as a source of information, and they can create reports or hypotheses based on the findings.  Students can talk about:

• What will people in the future think about us, based on the information stored on Twitter?
• How can Twitter be used to advance society?  Can it be considered detrimental to society?  Why?
•  Why is Twitter so popular?  What does Twitter's popularity say about contemporary society?

In regard to the social sciences, the possibilities are virtually limitless when it comes to Twitter.  Twitter can be considered one of the world's largest history books, and it is a source that is updated every second of every day. 

Examples of Twitter in the Classroom

Here is a great example of a teacher who uses Twitter in the classroom.  He goes into depth about the benefits of using Twitter, and he talks about how Twitter is changing the way we think about education.  

http://www.essentialschools.org/resources/451

Here is a great page with 35(!) interesting ways to use Twitter in the classroom.  It is full of innovative ideas and well-thought-out descriptions.  

 http://classroomtweets.wikispaces.com/Using+Twitter+in+the+Classroom

Here is a page with another 50(!!) innovative ways to use Twitter in the classroom.  The possibilities are described in short, easy to understand paragraphs.  It would be possible to create projects that use a number of the techniques from the list.  A teacher could ask students to pick three of the 50 to be used in a project, and this site could really give students choice within their learning.

http://www.teachhub.com/50-ways-use-twitter-classroom

Here is a captivating video about how one teacher in Los Angeles is putting Twitter to use for her within the classroom.  This video and accompanying article are fascinating, and they talk about how Twitter's use within the classroom can really impact the engagement of students.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/06/08/twitter.school/index.html

For those who feel a calling to the youngest of learners, this is a great resource.  This page talks about how a school is using Twitter with primary grades and, if it doesn't give you any good ideas, it will surely put a smile on your face.

http://blog.web20classroom.org/2012/10/twitter-for-little-folks.html