A Twitter Testimony - Toni Dowdy

Twitter is an amazing tool for building a Personal Learning Network (PLN).   This week we interviewed the Elementary Digital Learning Team to see how they've been using Twitter as a PLN.

Q1: When did you first hear about Twitter?
A1: I first heard about Twitter when a (very nerdy) friend of mine told me about it in 2007.  He described it to me as a way to communicate quickly with a group of people.  This was before the days of group texting, so I was mildly intrigued by the idea.

Q2: What did you think of Twitter when you first heard about it?
A2: Mostly it seemed like a way for people to say where they were going, where they had been, or what they ate for lunch.  I didn't see much value in it at first.

Q3: How long have you been using Twitter as a PLN?
A3: In 2010, I left the classroom to become a Digital Learning Specialist.  My team encouraged me to begin building a PLN on Twitter.  I was very resistant to the idea at first.  I had no interest in hearing what people at for lunch, nor did I want to share that type of information.  I created my @TechnologyToni Twitter account on November 28, 2010, and sent my first Tweet!

What was your First Tweet?  Click here to find out!

Q4: Who are your top 3 Twitter accounts to follow and why?
A4: There are so many great accounts to follow, it is hard to narrow it down to just 3!  If I had to pick I would say:

• @TCEA - They Tweet out when apps are free and other great resources!
• @mattBgomez - He is a wonderful techy educator and former kindergarten teacher.  He shares lots of great ideas for using tech with young children.
• @sylviaduckworth - She is a french teacher who makes amazing sketchnotes of all kinds of great ideas.

Q5: What was it like the first time you participated in a Twitter Chat?
A5: The first time I participated in a Twitter Chat was pretty chaotic.  There were tons of teachers using the chat hashtag, and I had a hard time keeping up.  I finally figured out who the moderator was, and was able to see the questions by going to that account page on Twitter.  I like how many moderators use the Q1, Q2, Q3, labels to help identify the questions.  That makes it a lot easier!  Then the participants can respond with A1, A2, A3, etc.

Q6: What advice do you have for teachers new to Twitter?
A5: Advice for teachers new to Twitter (in no particular order):

• Choose a Twitter name that tells who you are.
• Add a photo, avatar, or icon to your profile so you will not appear as an unhatched egg.
• Include more about yourself in your profile description so others will know what to expect from your account.
• Contribute! Even if you think you have nothing to say, follow smart people and retweet what they are saying.  Share your favorite website or blog links.  Tell everyone how you are using technology in your classroom.
• Participate in our weekly Twitter Chats!  Be sure to join us each Tuesday 8:00-8:30pm for our #BISDdlp Twitter Chat!