This document discusses how Twitter can be used effectively in educational institutions for communication and professional growth. It outlines how Twitter functions as a free social messaging tool for staying connected in real-time. Twitter can serve educational institutions as a cost-effective option to supplement existing communication methods, acting as a broadcasting tool to disseminate information to specific audiences or as a conversational tool to engage with relevant inquiries. The document provides examples of educational institutions using Twitter as broadcasters or conversationalists and explores how Twitter can facilitate referrals, community building, networking, knowledge sharing, and serendipitous connections to support professional growth.

1. Academia meets Twitter
Getting a handle on Twitter for communication and
professional growth in an educational setting

2. Many areas within an educational institution require effective
communication in order to help meet objectives.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mullenkedheim/2244574288/

3. • News Updates
Athletics
•
Admissions
•
• Marketing/PR
Development
•
• Alumni Relations
Etc.
•
Well thanks, Captain Obvious!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/goingonsix/505923699/

4. So what does this have to do with Twitter?
Think of Twitter as a tool
that could be a worthy
addition to communication
tools already in use.

5. Twitter is...
• a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time
(Twitter.com)
• a social networking and micro-blogging tool
Yes, but what is it?
• connections, conversations, community, and content

6. For educational institutions, Twitter can be...
• a cost-effective (free) option to accentuate existing messages;
• a broadcasting tool to announce relevant information to specific
audiences; and
• a (brief) conversational tool to appropriately respond to relevant
inquiries and follow-up questions or comments.

7. Two Types
Conversationalist
Broadcaster
• provides a quot;voicequot;
• useful if audience knows
• seen as an authority and
what they are getting
source
• another way to push
• ROE - return on engagement
information
• a way to interact with those
• works best if you have good
interested in the institution
information to give
• all about building
• could fill a need from
relationships
specific area or topic

8. Twitter is not...
• a silver bullet for communication problems.
quot;It won't replace crime alerts, regular campus e-mails or our cooperation with local
news outlets to help ensure community awareness of important safety issues, but it's
an important addition.quot;
(quoted source from Univ. Michigan adds voice, text messaging for emergency notification)

9. Let's Explore
Broadcaster Conversationalist
• http://twitter.com/UOregonNews • http://twitter.com/butleradmission
• •
http://twitter.com/georgiasouthern http://twitter.com/ECCdistrict509
• •
http://twitter.com/johnmaeda http://twitter.com/SDSU_NewsTeam
• http://twitter.com/uwgbtutoring • http://twitter.com/ThunderbirdNews
• http://twitter.com/UofA • http://twitter.com/MarquetteU
• •
http://twitter.com/mansfieldisd http://twitter.com/UTAustin
Want to see more?
http://twitter.pbwiki.com/Universitie
s

10. Twitter and Professional Growth
• Referrals
• Community
• Networking
• Commerce
• Knowledge
• Serendipity

11. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Referrals

12. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Community

13. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Networking

14. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Commerce

15. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Knowledge

16. Twitter and Professional Growth :: Serendipity

17. Some extras for you...
Related articles & presentation sources
• Twitter in the mainstream
• When is Broadcasting OK on Twitter?
• Is Twitter a Tool for Alumni Relations? The Potential of
Intentionally Weak Ties
• Are you listening?
• Twitter, Your Free Text Messaging System
• Using Twitter for Higher Ed
• 10 Reasons to Monitor Twitter
• Question of the day: Should universities tweet?
• How individuals use Twitter
• Andrew Shaindlin’s 8-step plan to get your alum association on
Twitter

18. Contact
Richie Escovedo
richie.escovedo [at] gmail.com
Blog
Twitter
LinkedIn
delicious links