Self-Management
Family Resources on Twitter: Less or More?
Project and Purpose
Students will assess pros and cons of learning about events using short social media comments-as is typical for the social media platform Twitter.
Essential Questions
What are the pros and cons of communicating in 280 characters or less?
If this lesson was used in the classroom: Students practiced appropriate social media use by considering the information that can be shared or not shared on social media. In class students discussed how social media posts are structured and do not always offer a complete perspective. Discussion included how social media posts are structured and how to describe an important event in only 280 characters (the limit on Twitter).
Getting Ready for the Conversation
In a world where social media has a significant impact on the lives of all people, especially youth, it is important to learn how to use the internet safely and appropriately. Communicating in 280 words or less may or may not be the best.
Note: Depending on popular social media outlets, conversation starters may need to focus on other apps.
Conversation Starters and Practice at Home
The first item is for follow-up after participating in class activities.
Why is it hard to describe some events in only 280 characters?
How could the social media platforms you use (or you know about) be helpful? How could they be harmful? Describe why.
What are some examples of fake posts? Why are these problematic?
What are some examples of incomplete or misleading posts? Why are these problematic? How are these different from fake posts?
What are some of the best ways to use social media? Why do you think so? Do most people use social media as they should? Why or why not?
School to Home Resources on Twitter: Less or More?
Materials
- Lyrics to Twitter, the Musical
- If possible, access to Twitter, the Musical, which streams on YouTube (and has had almost 5 million views.), found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr3Tl7T6fIQ by AVbyte
To purchase on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/bw/album/twitter-the-musical-single/id715091554 - Photos of Mies van der Rohe architecture
- In a remote environment, meeting software will need to have “breakout room” or similar function enabled to allow pairs of students to have discussions. Also, handouts may need to be emailed to students ahead of time or shared in meeting software chat function
Procedure:
Introduction:
1. Begin this class session by taking a quick poll of who participates in Twitter (has a Twitter account, posts on Twitter or just checks Twitter). For those who might not be familiar with the social media site, you can offer the following:
Twitter is a social network and real-time communication service launched in 2006 and used by millions of people and organizations to quickly share and discover information. The word Twitter comes from the frequent chirping sound made by birds, hence the bird used in the Twitter logo. Twitter users can send and read short 280-character messages called “tweets”. Registered users can read and post
tweets, but those who are unregistered can only read them.
2. “Less is more” is an often-used phrase attributed to famous 20th century German-American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. He sought to establish a new architectural style that could represent modern times: making use of modern materials including industrial steel and plate glass. He called his buildings “skin and bones” architecture, wanting to express the spirit of the modern era with great simplicity. (See slides of van der Rohe’s work at end of lesson.) How does van der Rohe’s phrase, “Less is more,” apply to Twitter? Explain.
3. Continue the discussion by transitioning to the types of tweets — from bonafide news stories to random thoughts by individuals worldwide. If possible, log onto to Twitter and take a look at what is trending that day.
4. Like all social media, there are positives, negatives, and many opinions about Twitter’s benefits and drawbacks. Launch an exploration with a bit of entertainment and watch Twitter: The Musical, which streams on YouTube (and has had almost 6 million views.), found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr3Tl7T6fIQ by AVbyte
To purchase on itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/bw/album/twitter-the-musical-single/id715091554
5. Distribute the lyrics for a more in-depth conversation about its messages. Ask your students why they think the group created this piece. What are students’ overall impressions? Do the lyrics ring true? False? A little of both? Explain your answers. What do you think “literary littering” means? Why do people post “artsy pictures of my feet?”
6. The singers mention Twitter distributing information about “not petty things” like the Arab Spring. (Note: Research confirms that social media carried messages about freedom and democracy across North Africa and the Middle East, and helped lead to the political uprising known as The Arab Spring. For more information: http://www.washington.edu/news/2011/09/12/new-study-quantifies-use-ofsocial-media-in-arab-spring/)
7. Ask students what they think about condensing an important event (such as the Arab Spring) down to 280 characters.
Conclusion
Review the themes of the lesson and ask students if they think anything can be reduced to 280 characters. Is there anything that shouldn’t be reduced to 280 characters? Why or why not? What are the pros and cons of communicating in 280 characters or less?
Lyrics
Twitter: The Musical
Hello Twitter Bird.
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Any little tweet will do
Every little tweet’s a winner. You can do it too!
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Everyone will know what’s new
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. It’s up to you!
In 280 characters I’ll tell you what I eat
On Twitter I post random artsy pictures of my feet
I’m staying up to date with friends while walking down the street
Yeah Twitter’s pretty sweet
I’m literally twittering my life is now complete
It’s literally littering with every single tweet
You think that you’re so cool
Re-tweeting things like tools
You’re all a bunch of fools
Ooooo Hashtag Nature
CHORUS
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Everything little thing you do
Every little tweet’s a winner. You can do it too!
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Everyone will know what’s new
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. It’s up to you!
Now get your popcorn out let’s watch celebs go head to head
I read that Gaga’s friendship with Perez is all but dead
Why do to live events
Just read your Twitter feed instead
So you can stay in bed.
But Twitter isn’t just for petty things, don’t be mislead
It helped the message of the Arab Spring to grow and spread
With Twitter by your side, connected fair and wide
The world is intertwined
CHORUS
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Any little thing will do
Every little tweet’s a winner. You can do it too!
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. Everyone will know what’s new
Tweet a little tweet on twitter. It’s up to you!
Well hashtag this and favorite this
And maybe we’ll retweet.
With Twitter by your side we’re together far and wide
Any tweet will do!
