What is Twitter? and Social Media Resources

Over the past four months I sat in several meetings with other independent school representatives about using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other Social Media tools. The number one question amongst most of the representatives (prodominately women ages 40-60) was "What is Twitter?" and why should I use it?

In short, Twitter is a mini-blog. In 140 characters, you can post anything you feel like. These messages are called Tweets and people who are following you (or are your friends) get updated when you post a message. In essence, it is like the status messages that people post to their e-mail, Facebook, or instant messenging accounts. It gives people a glimpse of what is going on.

How is Twitter Used?
Twitter is used to direct people to different places such as websites or news articles. It is used to give an insight into what is going on with a person or organization. It is used to make connections. Sometimes with people in a similar field or sometimes with constituents. Many companies are beginning to use it to respond to customer complaints or concerns. Twitter is used to report news. The airplane in the hudson was captured on an iPhone and posted through TwitPic and Twitter well before any of the news stations had the story. Basically, Twitter can be anything you want to make of it.

David Pogue, a columnist for the New York Times, has a good article about using Twitter that was published in January 2009.

How can Twitter be Used in Schools?
Since Twitter can be whatever you want to make it, schools use it differently. Here are some examples of how schools are using Twitter:

• One school uses it as a mini-blog, where a teacher or administrator gives a glimpse to parents, grandparents, or donors about the day to day activities.
• Another school uses it as a way of connecting followers (parents, alumni, and students), with their main web page.
• Another school uses it exclusively to post important announcements such as School Closings, Forms due, Reminders on Payments, etc.

I would love to feature schools or people at schools using Twitter and the kinds of response they have received, please comment below if you would be interested in being featured.

Twitter & Social Media Resources

• 30 Essential Twitter Tutorials for Newbies & Experts
• How to Twitter Like a Pro
• How to Twitter (Jargon Explained)
• Twitter 101: Part 1 Part 2
• TwitterSpeak
  
• Final Site Social Media Resource
• Lorrie Jackson Message Matters Blog
  Lorrie is a communications specialist who is a great resource on using Social Media in schools and using it for marketing & communications.