Tweet this!

I wasn't going to post the results of my "Twitter for Educators" survey, but the comments from early respondents are just too good to wait...

In case you haven't responded to the survey yet, please do - I will continue to post responses and update the "stats". The survey question is simple: How much time should a busy educator devote to using Twitter to get the maximum positive benefit? With only 5 responses, there is no statistical significance yet, but the chart is interesting:

What I *really* think is interesting and helpful are some of the optional comments:

Interesting survey question, but very difficult to respond to. I was a non-believer too when I first created an account. Ten months passed before I really used it. Then once I tuned in to a couple of active ed. tech. folks who were very connected there I was hooked. I'd suggest installing a desktop app like TweetDeck to keep it running at all times (thus making it difficult to actually quantify time spent)....to take a look at what is being shared whenever you have a moment throughout the day or to keep searches running (like I do on 'tablet pc' and 'classroom laptops'). I have an upcoming blog post at http://odnett.wordpress.com/ where I'll share my own personal experience with tuning in and learning much from folks I follow on Twitter who have live streamed from conferences this summer. Thanks for sponsoring this conversation! And welcome to Twitter! I'm following you! I am cljennings on Twitter! :-) Cindy Jennings Director of Instructional Technology University of South Carolina Upstate Spartanburg, S.C.

What's most important, I believe, is one's network of contacts. If you're not following someone who can feed you information you want or need, there's no need to tweet at all. "Tell me who you're following and I'll tell you how influential you have the potential to be." (just my quote, really-#dcsawyers). P.S. Have been following you, Jim. Thanks for your tweets! --Diana

Unfollow over-users, especially if they are dull. Follow someone you admire professionally, met at a conference, heard of, or who tweets with somone you follow and admire. Facebook is for communicating with those you already know. Twitter is for communicating with those you'd like to know. I don't know where I heard that, but it's true for me.

Keep it professional. Follow the leaders and set up a separate account for tweeting with friends. Use search terms and hashes (e.g. #edtech) to find those leaders.

Thanks for asking this question, Jim. Check out the many high quality educational resources about twitter! In the Macquarie Uni Learning and Teaching Centre blog, I have a list of links for novice twitterers: http://tiny.cc/wgTXd Cheers, Agnes.

As I said in my "first 18 days of Twitter" posting, the Twitter community is amazingly generous in sharing their wisdom. Many thanks to each of you who responded so quickly. I look forward to more comments and recommendations!

Jim Vanides, B.S.M.E, M.Ed.
Worldwide Education Programs
HP Global Social Investment
Hewlett-Packard
Twitter @jgvanides

For information about the HP Global Social Investments, visit www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants