@RugbyTeacher, this is about building networks of learners that you can tap into, as well as contribute, too. Instead of books, articles, and libraries, you are going straight to the source–people who know or can point you in the right direction.

When you realize that when you share what little you know–as compared to the crowd of folks online, connected to you via Twitter from AROUND THE WORLD–it is of benefit to someone in the crowd, and vice versa, you seize Twitter’s power. The question for as educators isn’t how do we use this to deliver instruction but rather how we enable just in time learning for ourselves and our students. How do we become more “metacognitive” about what we’re learning so that we can share it with our network.

Best wishes,
Miguel

RubgyTeacher,
I appreciate and welcome your honesty. I started using Twitter about 5 months ago. I was skeptical, but I’m preparing to teach a Web 2.0 course this summer so I’m trying lots of new tools and getting out of my comfort zone, so I gave it a try. I didn’t take to it until about a month ago. At first I just checked it a few times a week and pretty much lurked in the shadows. But, then…

–Then I began to see people (teachers and instructors) Twittering from their classes and inviting us into their classrooms. I began to see some of their students beginning to follow people in our mutual networks. Imagine teachers and students choosing to follow and interact with some of the experts in their fields of interest. I see huge potential in this.

–Then I began tweeting for help when I couldn’t find good resources while developing lessons, needed technical assistance or advice, etc. The help came within minutes. The real time assistance is priceless. Educators often work in isolation (1 ed tech person for a school or district, 1 algebra teacher, self-contained elementary classrooms, the principal in his or her office, etc.) and I’ve found Twitter keeps me in touch with many other people around the world (literally!) that share common interests, job responsibilities, etc. I’ve met very few people that I follow in real life, but I’ve been surprised by how much many of them have positively influenced what I do by the sharing of ideas and resources.

Trust me, I’m surprised that I just said all of that. I never expected Twitter to work for me. My advice, give it a real try. If it works, you can thank me. If it doesn’t, then I’ll thank you for being open-minded. Either way, I’d like to hear your feedback.