Exploring Twitter

For the month of March, I have chosen to explore twitter. Although I have been using twitter for a while, I want to further explore how it can be used. All I really have used twitter for, was updating my status. I have only now begun to realize what a good tool twitter can be, and the different ways it can be used. First off, I find twitter is  great tool for communicating with other people. It’s fast and it’s easy to use. I discovered you can even update from your cell phone with or without internet, and you can have updates sent to your phone. There are also neat little feature like:

lists,

direct messages,

favouring tweets,

and retweeting.

The lists on twitter, are a way to organize people you follow. For example you could make a list of friends, or fellow classmates and many more. I don’t believe there is a limit to the number of lists you make or people you follow. Direct messages are sort of like email, where you can send personal messages to someone. Only you and that person can see the message, but you can only send a direct message if you are following that person and they are following you too. I think it is useful when you are having a conversation with some one and you don’t want to annoy your other followers with a lot of updates. Also, direct messages can be useful if you don’t want anyone else to see what you say. Your twitter updates can be seen by everyone and anyone if you don’t make your twitter account private (here is how to private your twitter). When you make your account private, only people you approve can view your updates.

Another cool feature is that you can favourite ‘tweets’ or updates that you like. This is an easy way to keep track of things other people say that you like. Also if you see something you like, you can ‘retweet’ it to your followers (your followers are people who receive your updates) and they can see it too. One other feature I would like to mention about twitter is trending topics (listed below search bar), which can be found along the right column with the other features. Trending topics are the most talked about topics from all around the world. It’s a great way to view things that other people are talking about. For example, when the earthquake hit in Haiti, twitter was the first place I heard about what happened because it became a trending topic.

Now for those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, I suggest you make a twitter account and explore a little yourself. It’s fast and easy to do so, just click here. Over all, I find twitter to be fun and useful, and I am having a great time exploring how it can be used.

2 comments March 15, 2010

Collaborative Project. Finally!

So as you may have heard before, my partner Chelsea and I were having some communication troubles with our previous collaboration. But we have now connected with Lee Kolbert thanks to Dean. I am looking forward to working with Lee, and Chelsea and I have now finalized what out project will be.

Lee Kolbert teaches 4th grade gifted science, social studies, and writing. Since the students are now focused on their science fair projects, Lee thought it would be a great idea for us to create a video for her students. Chelsea and I are going to make a video interviewing random people that we can find either on the street or at the university. We are then going to ask our volunteers a variety of questions involving science and see if they know the answers. As Lee called it, it would sort of be a David Letterman-style video. Or as I might call it Are you smarter than a fourth grader street edition. We want to show the students that adults don’t always know all the answers, which will be fun for both the students and others to see.

Also, if it works out I thought it would be fun to interview some people from our ECMP 455 class. So if you could comment below if you are interested and let us know when you’re available.

7 comments March 8, 2010

Show and Tell about Travelling!

I had the chance to teach my ECMP 455 classmates a little something about myself. Originally, I had planned to teach the class about my passion of music, but since I have a twin who’s passion is also music, I let her take that topic. Instead, I talked about my passion for travelling.

I have always enjoyed travelling. When I was young, my family would always take us camping or on other small trips. I’ve had to opportunity of visiting many places in and around Saskatchewan. I’ve camped in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

I was very grateful to have the opportunity to take smaller family trips every year growing up. I even visited the United States one time when I was fairly little, although I don’t remember much. But it wasn’t until high school that I discovered my passion for travelling.

From grades 10-12, I travelled to many places with my school. I took part in choir, which allowed me to visit many places on choir trips. In grade ten, my choir group travelled to Rapid City, North Dakota, where I was able to see Mount Rushmore, and the Reptile Gardens. In grade 11, our group travelled to Denver, Colorado where we were able to tour the Gold Mines. In grade 12 our choir trip went to Minneapolis, Minnesota where we got to spend a day at the Mall of America. Those were all some of my favorite trips I have ever taken, but it wasn’t until the last semester in grade 12 where I had the opportunity of a lifetime.

In the spring of 2008, I travelled to Europe with a group from my school. We toured all through Italy and France. It was great to see places like Venice, Florence, Pisa, Nice, and Paris. I had only ever seen pictures or clips in movies, but it was amazing to literally be there experiencing the culture. I now carry many memories that I will remember for the rest of my life, and although it was only a ten day trip it made me want to explore the world even more and maybe even go back there one day.

Here is my slideshow presentation!

Add a comment March 7, 2010

Giant Beavers and a Flying Moose?

I have to say that this was probably the first year I have gotten into watching the Olympics. Mostly I think it was because they were in Canada and it somehow made me feel more involved. I was very proud to see all the Canadian athletes who did so well in the 2010 Winter Olympics. I was even more proud to watch that Canada had earned the most Gold medals ever in the Winter Olympics, and in our own hosting city. I think Vancouver did an excellent job of hosting the Olympics, and even though there were a few tragedies and the weather didn’t always cooperate, it was great watching all the athletes and different countries compete. Do you think Vancouver did a good job of hosting the Olympics, and did you watch them (not just the hockey, ha)? I even found myself watching curling, which was quite interesting even though I didn’t have a clue what was happening.

I think my favourite part of the 2010 Winter Olympics was the Gold Medal Game for Men’s Hockey. The game was a little too close for comfort, but it was also very exciting to watch Canada win the game. I did find myself screaming at the television and cheering loud every time Canada scored, but I still can’t figure out why people like talking to the television, including myself. Do you find yourself talking to the television?

Finally, what did you think of the opening and closing ceremonies? I didn’t get to watch all the opening ceremonies, but what I did see was pretty awesome. I thought the closing ceremonies were fairly good until the giant beavers and flying moose (yes, you read correctly if you didn’t watch them). I enjoyed some of the musical acts at the closing ceremonies, but again some were a little odd.

Overall I enjoyed watching the olympics, and I’m looking forward to cheering for Team Canada in the future Olympics.

2 comments March 4, 2010