Twitter as a Personal Learning Community

I am often fascinated by the number of people who simply "don't get twitter!" They see it as a waste of time.

Celebrity usage of twitter has brought it to the forefront of attention in recent months. Twitter is also regularly cited by the mainstream press. Every news anchor and talk show host seems to have a twitter account these days! With all of the media attention, droves of new users are flocking to Twitter to check it out. For celebrity watchers, it's like a backstage pass into their lives. But for professionals in just about any field, the true value of twitter isn't simply reading about how one person goes about their day. Nor is it simply a place to drop by and announce to the world that you're at Starbucks having a cup of coffee. For quite some time now, astute members of this microblogging community have come to recognize Twitter as their own personal learning community.

I am on Twitter for mere minutes each day. Yet, there is rarely a day when I don't walk away from there having learned something new and valuable. It is the collaboration and sharing of ideas and experiences with colleagues in the field that drives this community. The quality of your experience on Twitter is only as good as the network that you build there. And the more you contribute, the more you are rewarded with new insights and experiences from others who share your passions in Education.

Being in educational technology, learning tools and best practices are constantly changing. The Twitter community accelerates the pace and flow of new information. Educators from across the globe provide first-hand information on how they are using technology for teaching and learning and we all benefit from their experiences. For technology leaders who like to stay on the cutting edge, it's a perfect fit.

http://www.twitter.com