Feeling Like a Twit

http://ozgekaraoglu.edublogs.org/files/2011/02/f1a49_twitter-broken-heart-2251-21lr8t6.jpg

Okay Twitter, it's not you, it's me.  I know you will help me build my Personal Learning Network (PLN), I know you will open me up to a world of ideas, opportunities, and support, and I know you are the best professional development tool out there. But even with all that greatness, I just can't commit to this relationship.  It's too overwhelming.  It's too much like a competition.  There is too much random babble I don't understand or don't care about.  I think we have to break up. 

There are things I like about Twitter.  The hashtag system works for me, and I can find relevant and useful information through it.  I skim the paper.li updates I subscribe to and I have found some great ideas through them.  I enjoy hearing about the experiences and discoveries of my classmates, when I find the time to follow them.  Most of all, I enjoy being an insider on something that not everyone in the education world understands.  However, my struggles and frustrations with Twitter far outweigh my successes with it. 

Despite my frustration with Twitter, I know that experience and research give it rave reviews.  Richardson (2010) believes "following other educators on Twitter creates a 'network at my fingertips' phenomenon where people ask questions and get answers, link to great blog posts or resources, or share ideas for projects as they go through the day.  For many, it's become a running river of conversation and ideas that has cemented their connections to the community and made the network even more palpable" (p.86).  Twitter also receives a ringing endorsement in a Teacher Librarian article by Anderson (2011):  "Twitter is being embraced by more and more educators around the world. (http://www.edutopia.org/steven-anderson-guest-blogger-140conf) And why not?  It's a great way to build your Personal Learning Network (PLN), participate in resource sharing, and get any type of help you might need for your classroom" (para 4).  The referenced blog post includes some great suggestions on classroom uses and teacher experiences.

When I read about teachers who post a planned novel study and immediately get multiple responses about book clubs, lesson plans, and skype connections I am amazed...and a little jealous.  Their network is obviously a successful one...a useful one...and likely a very rewarding one.  This is not my network or my experience.  I know that I need to build my network through active participation and through dedicating time to the process....something I just can't do right now.

I take comfort in knowing Twitter isn't going anywhere.  I will continue to skim my paper.li updates, I will continue to check out interesting links from classmates and mentors when I remember to check my account, but for the most part I think that Twitter and I are taking a break....a bit of time apart....and maybe in the future we will build the solid relationship that so many others seem to be enjoying!


References 
Anderson, S. (2011). The twitter toolbox for educators. Teacher Librarian, 39(1), 27-30.
Richardson, W. (2010).  Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms.  Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.