Scott Flynn's List: Collaberation & Social Bookmarking

"Twitter Commands

The default way of using Twitter is to simply type and send your message: e.g., "Does anyone know a good free FPS game for a Palm Treo?" And as previously mentioned, you have the option of sending direct messages or replies that either appear on your public timeline or are transmitted privately. Here is the full set of commands to take full advantage of Twitter:

* follow or leave [username]: starts or stops receiving updates from a given user
* invite [email or number]: sends an invitation to join Twitter to a friend's email or phone
* on or off: switches public updates on or off. Send off twice switches off reciept of direct messages
* stop or quit: cancels all updates instead of just turning them off
* delete [username]: deletes user from friend list
* delete: deletes your own user account, if you reply to Twitter's reply to confirm
* d [username]: sends a private message directly to user
* @[username]: sends a message to user as a public update
* whois [username]: sends user's Twitter profile
* stats: returns the number of followers you have, the number of users you follow, and the number of terms you're currently tracking
* fav [username]: marks user's last update as a favorite. Replying to any update with fav does the same in real time
* nudge [username]: reminds a friend to update
* track or untrack [term]: subscribes to updates containing the given term from any Twitter user
* untrack all: unsubscribes to all tracked terms
* tracks or tracking: returns a list of terms currently being tracked

Track is by far the coolest of these commands. You can use it to get updates on just about anything. For instance, I just found it today (May 22nd) by tracking "Samsung Instinct" that the device is slated for June 20th. I'll also receive updates on any other scoops related to the Instinct. When I've had my fill of Instinct updates, I just untrack it.
Twitter Bots

A bot is a web service you add as a friend, just like you would a human user

"When you first got to college, social media was probably about sending party invites, posting pictures of your new friends, complaining about tests, meeting dates, and keeping in touch with family back home. Now that you’re getting ready to leave school behind, you will need to reconfigure your social media activity so that future employers and contacts respect you. Here are 50 social media etiquette rules to remember.

General

Keep these general tips in mind whenever you log on.

1. Act like you would in real life: Just because you’re hiding behind a computer as you type doesn’t mean that people aren’t going to connect what you say online with who you are as a real person. How you act on social media sites is often the most direct way that people – including potential employers – will perceive you.
2. Don’t discriminate just because: You can’t be friends with everyone online, but you’ll never broaden your network if you don’t connect with people outside of your circle and comfort zone. Be willing to open yourself up to all types of followers and friends.
3. You have to earn respect: You can earn respect on social media sites by offering quality, accessible information in a friendly way. Share relevant links, commentary and helpful advice.
4. Always introduce yourself: Whenever you friend or follow a new person or jump into an open conversation, take a quick second to introduce yourself. Share your real name, occupation and geographical location. It’s just polite.
5. Avoid burnout: If you’re on social media sites constantly, you’ll burn yourself out and annoy other people. Find a balance so that you’re making quality contributions to the discussion, not dominating it.
6. Tweet and update for your most conservative followers: If you have lots of friends online, it can be hard to remember who’s still listening in to your conversations and updates. Remember who your most conservative followers are, and make sure whatever you put online is appropriate for them.
7. Be curious, but not nosy: Soci

"The K-12 Web 2.0 Debate: Learning to Communicate

* By Ruth Reynard
* 04/21/10

While there is quite a lot being written about Web 2.0 tools and how they can increase opportunities for students to engage with content, their peers, and teachers, more must be explored in terms of the skill benefits to students when these tools are used effectively. For example, reference has been made in current writing to such skills as collaboration, networking, and critical thinking as direct benefits for students. However, teaching practitioners are becoming more sophisticated in recognizing levels of learning within those skill development areas.

An example of this is the general skill of communication and the obvious benefit to the learning process with heightened use of digital communication tools.

What is not so obvious but is becoming apparent is that within the general concept of communication, students can develop these skills differently and for different purposes with increased use of Web 2.0 tools. So, while we explore how Web 2.0 tools can assist in direct connection between individuals in the learning process, we must also explore how those connections build and expand students' ability to communicate effectively in various contexts and for various purposes. Good communication is central to good education, and teachers have long since been aware of the importance of teaching students how and when to use various language forms and to what purpose. With the use of Web 2.0 tools, the various forms and purposes of language use are clearly evident as they are central to actual tool choice. Additionally, and consistent with ongoing language use in general, what is viewed as "regular" constantly changes. Now, with the use of Web 2.0 tools that require language use for specific purposes, those changes are more rapid and pose continual challenges to K-12 teachers.

Teaching 101
The very basis of good teaching is effective communication, not only from the teacher's point of view, but from the student's as well. Tha

"100 Inspiring Ways to Use Social Media In the Classroom

May 4th, 2010

Social media may have started out as a fun way to connect with friends, but it has evolved to become a powerful tool for education and business. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter and tools such as Skype are connecting students to learning opportunities in new and exciting ways. Whether you teach an elementary class, a traditional college class, or at an online university, you will find inspirational ways to incorporate social media in your classroom with this list.

Ideas for K-12 Classrooms

Implement these great ideas in your K-12 classroom to have students learning in a dynamic new way.

1. Make literature real. Have students create a Facebook page for a character from literature you are studying like this class did.
2. Follow famous people. Many famous people are on Twitter. Have students follow someone related to what you are studying, such as following President Obama when looking at government.
3. Twitter treasure hunt. Use GPS treasure hunting to send students in search of educational clues as one teacher did. (Skip to number 22 in the slide show.)
4. Learn probability. This elementary teacher uses Twitter to teach the concept of probability.
5. Study geography. Use a combination of Twitter and Google Earth to help teach geography-based lessons. This teacher used his network of Twitter followers to create an interactive lesson for his young students. Use her idea to spark your creativity for ways to use these two resources.
6. Connect with other classrooms. Collaborate with another classroom, no matter where they are in the world, to expand learning opportunities.
7. Recent public updates. The recent public updates on Twitter shows the most recent posts from all users and is a great tool to use when studying current events.
8. Field trips. Use Skype to bring the field trip into the classroom when it is difficult or impossible for students to go to the source.
9. Conference with parents. Stay connected with