Tweet, Twit, Twat

I don't embarrass easily. You know it's serious when I am a bit embarrassed to admit this. After putting it off for numerous reasons, I have joined the wondrous world of Twitter. I couldn't take it any longer, I needed to know what was going on in Miley Cryus' life every moment of everyday. Actually, I'm not all that interested in Miley's life, but I was told it was a good way to publicize my blog to a different audience.

http://twitter.com/lishgo

On Twitter, I have been tweeting and twatting, and trying to understand how the whole thing works. It is kind of cool, and very vague at the same time. I like to express myself a bit more than with one-liners (as you can tell), but I am getting used to it. I definetly see why business owners and celebrities use it. I guess the rest of us are just along for the ride.

I think what originally turned me off from Twitter was the name. The words Twitter and tweeting seem so ridiculous. Why don't you just call the website Booger and post Buggies on it? In my eyes, that wouldn't be any more ridiculous. The little bird of a mascot doesn't help. He looks like he would be flying around with a pink wig on singing show tunes from The Sound of Music if he could.

One last thing that pushed me away was the idea of "following" others. I am not gung-ho on being a leader or anything. But, when I think of following, I think of cult members, chanting, doing ceremonial dances, and bowing down their leader. Not a big fan of that, for obvious reasons. But I got over that once I started doing this and gaining followers.

Either way, Twitter isn't that bad.  I have found myself roaming to that page to randomly check out twits (what I like to call them) and search for anybody or anything that pops into my head.

As I have begun to change my narrow-minded views of Twitter, Jeff suggested what seemed like a wonderful idea. Since schools, including mine, are always pushing to integrate more technology into the curriculum, why don't I create a Twitter account for my class. Parents and grandparents can become followers and my students will have to update the twats (the other thing I like to call them) throughout the day. This combines the technology piece, and improves communication with parents, another big focus. I love the idea and could only think of one downfall; we cannot access pages like Twitter on the districts network. Understandably so. I thought the idea was so good, and modernized, I was considering approaching my principal to see if he would allow the website to pass through the filter into my classroom. I decided to take a little time to think about, and thank goodness I did.

Checking my Twitter account this afternoon, I noticed I had a new follower. I checked to see who it was and the name was rather vulgar. It read "F*$# it, S(rhymes with F*$#) it." The picture that accompanied it wasn't all that appropriate either. Not appropriate for children and not appropriate for the average adult. Jeff and discussed if this would happen if the Twitter account only sought out parents as followers. I starting thinking that was probably correct. But, at the same time, I hope you believe me when I say, I was not seeking out anybody like "F*$# it S*$# it!" I may be lonely with my husband in Cleveland, and there may be a week and a half until I see him next, but that is not the answer! I've come to the conclusion that Twitter is too much of a risk to have in the classroom setting, although it could be very beneficial when used properly.