I’ve been using Twitter for what seems a long time – and in that time I have learnt that Twitter is an important part of my whole toolkit of professional learning and sharing. I have also learnt that it is important to bend Twitter to the purpose I want to use it for!Twitter has been growing and changing since it first arrived on the scene. The advent of Twitter and other social networking sites, as well as the popularity of text messaging, have made short-form communication an everyday reality. But expressing yourself clearly in short bursts-particularly in the 140-character limit of Twitter-takes special writing skill.
Carol L. Tilley, a professor of library and information science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, believes the character constraint of Twitter Texting can Enhance Writing Skills.
If renowned author Ernest Hemingway could write a full story in just six words (“For sale: baby shoes, never worn”), then teachers and librarians should encourage their students to use Twitter and text messages as part of their literacy lessons
For me, Twitter texting is about collaboration, sharing, and supporting my colleagues. My Twitter @heyjudeonline is a mix of information finds, queries, responses, and light chatter.
The information I “put out there” is drawn from my RSS reading at Feedly and other sources. Twitter is the addition to my blog, and the quickest way I know to share!! But thanks to Feedly, I can not only share on Twitter, but can (almost simultaneously) add important information to my delicious account for Heyjude, or post it on my Facebook profile.
For an evolving development of Twitter, or to pick up the latest information, just take a peek at my Delicious link for Twitter. I keep it all, and it’s certainly getting to be very extensive indeed!
The next key evolution has been the capability to keep lists! At last – a way to organise the people you follow. To be honest, I haven’t yet had time to organise mine. I’ve been busy thinking through other avenues.
I now run 3 Twitter accounts – the most recent addition being specifically for School Libraries.
@heyjudeonline Educator, learner, blogger, librarian, technology girl, book and library lover. Transforming education and libraries. Innovation for life.
@LibraryCloud Innovative ideas in one tweet for School Libraries everywhere!
@librarycloud is brand new – and really focussed on learning, teaching, and all things to help organise a fabulous school library. I’m keeping this Twitter account clutter free – so that I can make a Twitter book out of it for you!
@Simplybooks Promoting reading and good literature, as well as providing links and information about quality approaches to reading education.
So you see, I’m keeping myself busy making Twitter work for me – and hopefully for you too!
Is there anything else I could do to help you?
Meanwhile – grab the Complete Guide to Twitter, or one of Tim Davies fabulous One Page Guides.
judyoconnell.com 
Judy,
Thanks for an informative Twitter Education Article. I have been slow on my adoption of Twitter. Probabably because I am one of those that have had a hard time understanding it. You have convinced me to research it more and discover the potential for education. By the way, you have a wonderful blog and I plan on coming back so that I can learn more. Have a great new year!
Mike Gorman (21centuryedtech)
http://www.21centuryedtech.wordpress.com
http://www.21centuryedtech.wikispaces.com
Glad you dropped by and thanks for your comments. I’m enjoying your blog too and your great sense of humour.
Wonderful.
John