Twitter is one of the most popular and widely used social network websites for friends, families, news, businesses, and communities around the world. A growing number of educators, schools, and educational sites now have Twitter accounts to keep their audiences informed about the most recent knowledge, practices, innovations, and ideas.
Why should you jump on the Twitter train and become part of this ever-growing community?
1. It is EASY, FAST, and FREE!
In less than 140 characters you can communicate with your Twitter followers immediately. Snap a quick picture of student work, projects in progress, or students working. Write a brief description of the project or your learning target, and you’ve let the world into your art room in less than 2 minutes! You do have the ability to control your privacy and who can see your posts, so it can be made as safe as you need it to be.
2. You’ll be “up with the times”!
Your students, parents, colleagues, administrators, and district will appreciate your innovative technological communication strategies.
3. It’s a great way to communicate with parents and guardians
Keep families informed about what you’re doing in the art room and about art related activities in your district. Parents have the opportunity to check in as often as they want and can have the opportunity (if you’ve allowed) to comment on these posts in order to open up a conversation between school and home. Send reminders about field trips, art shows, and arts activities or events throughout your community.
4. It’s accessible from almost anywhere
In our technological age, not only can you reach more people at once, but Twitter can be accessed just about anywhere you can use a cell phone, tablet, or computer.
5. It includes photo, video, and website linking opportunities
One of the best things about Twitter is the ability to link just about anything to a post: photos, videos, websites, links to your classroom blog, and links to other social networks like Instagram and flickr. Twitter is also kind enough to shorten your attached links to cut down on the number of characters used per post (remember you only have 140!).
6. You can use it for professional networking
Follow and be followed by other art teachers and educational programs to swap ideas, educational resources, and best practices to continue being the innovative art teacher you are. Who knows, maybe new opportunities will present themselves as you gain recognition!
7. You can take advantage of of great deals and opportunities
Gain special access to activities, exhibits, or limited showings, and be the first to take advantage of deals and coupons companies may only provide to their Twitter followers. (An opportunity for cheap deals on supplies? Yes please!)
8. Gain free advertising and advocacy
Advertise yourself, your art program, and the arts in your community. Ask for volunteers, promote museum trips, traveling exhibits, and creative activities so your students don’t lose the great creative skills you’ve taught them when they’re not with you!
Have you used Twitter before? If so, how?
What other benefits could Twitter provide?
What would the name of your Twitter handle (name) be? You can find me here at: @cliveartroom and can find AOE here at: @theartofed
Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.
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