How Beneficial Is Twitter A Tool For Teachers?

In addition to the positive effects that Twitter can have students, it can be just as beneficial of a tool for teachers. Twitter can help teachers in developing a Professional Learning Network (PLN). According to Messner (2009) a PLN can be defined as “A group of like minded professionals with whom you can exchange ideas, advice and resources” (p. 46). Twitter and social media can provide teachers with a dynamic level of professional development that allows for immediate feedback and ideas from around the world. You can connect with educators who teach similar courses, share ideas and communicate immediately, efficiently and easily. Traditional professional development in a class or lecture setting is often meaningless or not tangible (Ross, Maninger, LaPrairie, & Sullivan, 2015). Creating a PLN through

For example, Burlington High School a school in Massachusetts went from no social media presence in 2011 to now being one of the leading school districts on technology and social media in the country. All school news, events and activities are sent out through the school’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. In addition, the school has a separate “Alert” Twitter account which they use in emergency situations. This account provides real-time immediate information to parents and the community (Larkin, 2013). In general, social media. Social media and Twitter can provide a valuable role in providing parents and the community with information about the school and on a more specific level exactly with what’s happening in the classroom. Teachers can and should present student work and achievements through Twitter by posting pictures of student work. Parents and the community should know what’s happening in our classrooms and Twitter provides the perfect avenue of getting this message