Dowshan and Andrew showcased the results of classes that they have delivered to GCSE students at Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate School in east London and the lessons they have drawn from this experience.

Dr Vicki Obied, the PGCE Course Director was on hand to encourage her students to take advantage of this presentation and workshop – which they all did enthusiastically. We were impressed by the PGCE students’ inquisitiveness regarding the techniques and technologies that were discussed.

There was also a good deal of healthy debate. Of course teachers need to equip their students with the basics of language, maths and core curriculum subjects. However, the reality of the social web has significant impact for young people coming through the education system and entering the work-place. TWKS are determined to ensure that both new and current teachers understand and are conversant with the possibilities they have for opening up learning for the new generation of ‘digital natives’.

Andrew and Dowshan certainly hit a nerve with these trainee teachers as over half reported back to us that the all too brief timetabled session would be beneficial and impact their teaching. There was also a demand for more insight on ‘monitoring, social gaming, privacy, inappropriate classroom use and safety and the use of content’. Again from the feedback, we can see that teachers are keen for specific lesson plans that can be delivered into classrooms.

By and large these are young teachers who are ‘digital natives’ – the same as their students. Despite the potential of digital and social media, Dowshan and Andrew emphasised that these technologies and techniques sit alongside and do not replace traditional methods. As Dowshan said: “A ‘tweet’ can be an ‘extreme précis’ – with the correct use of language and grammar please!”

The traditional principles still must be taught but we must take the time to educate the young about the reality of digital and social media technology. Some say that students today do not need educating in these areas as they are aware of this. But that is like saying that if you are born and live in England – why should we educate you in English language, literature and spoken English. The focus is to use digital and social media to bring the curriculum to life – producing engaging lesson, helping students to understand the true potential of these social tools and take these skills into their professional lives.

Adapted by TWKS Content Team from Lucy Johnson, Digital Suss Blog

Who - Twitter users and useful for anyone with a URL wanting to share.

Tip – On twitter when you are sharing a link a very useful tip is how to create your own customised short URL. Also as twitter it a 140 characters max then your need to usually shrink your link. Here is the best way to go about this:

The website to use is http://bit.ly/

If you sign up to this you then copy and paste your URL and you can customise it.

Also it offers you great insights and statistics of each link you create, ie, how many people clicked on it, when, where etc

Other alternatives websites to use -

• http://goo.gl/
• http://tinyurl.com/

So What - This is a great tip to benefit your business or brand as people will know where the link is going to and can help make the name stick in their heads.

Who- Twitter users for business purposes or personal

Tip- Using twitter can be a great source of information for a chosen career or industry. For example, following people who you aspire to work with or build a relationship with. The best way of grouping these individuals or organisations is by creating lists on twitter.

How you do it:

• Log into your Twitter account
• Click on ‘Lists’ and there will be an option to create a list.

• Click the option box where you can create a new list.
• Select a name for the list and choose whether to make it public or private (Public being anyone can see your list, private being only you)

• Click save and you now have a list. You can create up to 20 lists

So what: This is a very useful tip that can help not only get rid of the “noise” and keep your Twitter feed relevant for you but also save you time searching for individuals.

Who:

• Individuals (who like a bargain)
• Local businesses
• Events company

Tip: We are entering a world where we are either a local or global business. Local can be defined as a business that can only make money at one specific point i.e., the Starbucks on Oxford Street that can only make money when you pay at the till.

If you can make income elsewhere then you are global. Facebook realizes this and created places. Check out the definition of Facebook Places from Mashable.

The video shows you how you can find and take advantage of these deals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZ-rTseVwes&feature=player_embedded

So what?

Location based deals within social media is increasing rapidly as the way we consume content and hunt for “bargains” have changed. Understanding not only Facebook’s role, as there are other location based networks like Foursquare & Gowalla, in this could not only help create a smarter business decisions but also save you money.

I am going to be honest and say that before I met Andrew Davis it hadn’t occurred to me once about using the social media site. I thought it was something ‘celebs’ did to brag about what they were up to, and for fans to follow them.

After Andrew explained and showed me how it could help me, I have become a fan. Twitter is micro blogging site where you can write up to 140 characters. You can right anything you want. You follow people. People follow you. Simple!

My quick tips for using Twitter to help you;

• Follow people wisely, for example – If I wanted to become a singer I would follow singers, music management, agencies etc.

• 140 characters – I think of this box as my selling box. You are selling your ‘business’ in the box. So use it to its advantage!

I have learnt how to use twitter as a tool to potentially help your ‘business’ whatever that may be. So give it a go!