What is Twitter? According to the official web site, Twitter allows teachers, friends and family members to “stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing?”
While Twitter does not provide the amount of information that a curriculum map gives each teacher and administrator, it could be used as a communication tool. Professional educators could take advantage of this tool in an effort to provide ongoing communication about instructional decisions, pacing, teacher assignments, project deadlines and exam dates.
At the beginning of a new unit of study, teachers could update their Twitter statement (under 140 characters max. allowed). An educator may type, “This week our Honors U.S. History classes are beginning World War I. This is a five day unit.” Another educator may type, “Our students struggled with Unit 3, so we are going to spend March 20-21 reviewing the key concepts identified in Unit 3.”
As with other forms of professional communication (Email, Blogs, Discussion Boards, Education Chat Rooms, etc.), educators would need to make certain that they did not post unprofessional comments, mention student names or post what they are doing in their personal life.
If your school district is currently using Twitter as a form of ongoing professional communication, please share your experiences.
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