Comments on: TEFLtastic on Twitter

By: Tom

Tom — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:35:24 +0000

I’m not so sure I’d necessarily describe myself as a “Twitter unbeliever”, Alex…

I’m sceptical of all technology, especially of all technology that people get over-excited about — because I think that’s a healthy attitude to take to it. “Twitter skeptic” would be nearer the mark. Cut thru the bull first, and ask yourself, is — for the time I invest — it going to produce a lot of learning…?

For the purposes of professional development (ie for “following” certain “big names”, who have a lot of interesting things to say), Twitter is quite possibly worth it, assuming you have the time for it (though I personally prefer RSS).

For the purposes of people learning English (unless they are autonomously “following” others in English), I don’t see it, no. F2F classroom use, no.

Privacy issues — very, very serious.

But, no, it’s “just not my kind of thing” either…

By: Monica Thomas

Monica Thomas — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:19:10 +0000

Well, you certainly have got a Twitter fan in me :)

By: Jason Renshaw

Jason Renshaw — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:04:27 +0000

Just adding something to the positive side of the scales to even things up a little:

Why teachers should tweet – some pros and cons: http://3.ly/Rgj

Cheers,

~ Jason

By: Sandy Mac

Sandy Mac — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 12:29:08 +0000

Add my name to the list of unbelievers and non-practicants, Alex. I’d much rather be doing something useful than wasting my time on a phone. Playing footy with the kids is a good alternative, but a tad exhausting!

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:56:40 +0000

Another Twitter unbeliever, with five good links to believers

http://www.ihes.com/bcn/tt/eltblog/blog/2009/07/twitter-no-privacy-choked-with-spam.html

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:17:59 +0000

Yes, I think that Ghost tweeting does actually exist as a profession nowadays. I always thought TN was the owner of the site (don’t know why I never use his name here, but surely an air of mystery never hurt anyone) but seems I owe you several big ones. Will you also accept payment in chocolate? Or perhaps a guest post on your blog??

By: Tara Benwell

Tara Benwell — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 02:43:49 +0000

This cracked me up. Some people think TN on Twitter is you because I link to your great stuff a lot! Is there a word for this? Ghost tweeting?

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:09:27 +0000

What can I say, never been good at mixing at parties…

And then there’s the time management factor. I’ve got 150 unfinished articles, 50 unfinished blog posts, several hundred finished worksheets that I haven’t found time to put up, 6 books that I have to write reviews of… The last thing I need is another distraction, however useful it may be. Talking of which, should be finishing a guest blog piece rather than commenting here…

By: Karenne Sylvester

Karenne Sylvester — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 15:59:49 +0000

Alex, Your loss, luvey... there's a party going on out there... Shame, sigh - I would so love to be sharing great stuff with you, na ya- I'll just come on over and say hey coupla times a week. Wanna pay me to feed your links into the mainstream? Will work for chocolate. Dark chocolate is preferred. Or, maybe maybe... you can convince someone nice enough in BELTfree to help you out.... but, btw kudos to Tara who's doing a good job - she's got you covered. xxKarenne kalinagoenglish

By: Jason Renshaw

Jason Renshaw — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:13:05 +0000

Haha – Alex, you remind me of David Letterman when he had Kevin Spacey on and Kevin was trying to make him look like a silly old git for not “getting” or wanting Twitter.

After Kevin’s long explanation and then example, David says “Oh right, yeah – it’s sorta like, sorta sounds like… – oh yeah: A WASTE OF TIME!”

I – like you – loathe Facebook with a vengeance, but have to admit Twitter does work for me. And Alex, it is very VERY good for bloggers!

http://twitter.com/englishraven

Cheers,

~ Jason