Thursday, June 16, 2011

Twitter: Not just for Shaq and Kobe anymore

I admit that I always viewed Twitter as a tool for the self-absorbed and idle. I frowned upon the tweeter and the tweetee. Why does Kobe think people are interested in what he is doing at home? I don't know the answer. However,  it is evident they are interested.
 The presentation by Robin Phillips this morning opened my eyes to the many possibilities of social media and convinced me of its place in today's approach to gathering the news. One example Phillips used to highlight the practical application of social media in the field was the Wallow fire. By using the advanced setting on Twitter, she was able to identify dozens of first hand accounts as well as potential interview subjects .We all know that news happens anywhere at any time. If you don't tweet, you are out of the loop.
 I am sold on the value of social media. The challenge now is selling it to the principal of my school.

Thomas Curran
Grace King High School
Metairie, La
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1 comment:

  1. bfreilerJune 16, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    I have to admit, Thomas, that I did and (to a certain extent) still do share your reservations about Twitter in particular. Like you, I'm struck by the "self-absobedness" it seems to promote. A billion tweets a week? It seems to me like people have way too much to say about themselves!

    Yet at the same time, like you, I also started to see its value a little bit more today. I have to be honest - I'm not certain that I'm completely sold on it yet, but I'm at least much more open to it now than I was when I woke up this morning. If it can help my students do their jobs more effectively, then why not use it?

    It's also helped me immensely to see Twitter at work during this institute. I had never had an account before now, but now that I have one and have a much better understanding of how it works, I'm not nearly as intimidated by it.

    I'm still a work in progress, but at least I'm progressing! And I only mentioned myself once in my tweet tonight. :)

    Bridget Freiler
    Pottsville Area High School
    Pottsville, Pa.

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