What’s the right way to use Twitter?

Social media platforms are exactly that: both social and media. They exist as tools that we use for communication but also spaces we inhabit. When we say, “I was on Facebook for three hours,” we treat it as a space. When we say, “I have learned how to use Snap Chat,” we treat it as a tool.

Too often, though, we jump to the tool metaphor and begin to define the “right way” to use the specific tools. And yet, nearly every time, our view of the “right way” has little to do with the concept of a tool and everything to do with social spaces and social norms. Often, we step into these digital spaces with an assumed metaphor of the place. For example, I view Facebook as a giant party with every person I’ve ever known. It is an awkward space where my mom is officially my friend and I can see what my high school classmate is eating but it is also a regular way to interact with people I care about.

So, what kind of a space is Twitter? What are the implied metaphors that define the sense of place that we experience?

Some people view Twitter as a marketplace where they can find articles, books, and ideas that they can use in teaching. Or, if they have created something they want to launch to the world, it’s a potential place to reach an audience. They go to Twitter for professional reasons and get frustrated when the space feels too personal. Meanwhile, people who want Twitter to be a personal space feel annoyed by personal branding. And yet, if someone has created something of value, why not share it with the world? For all the talk of sell-outs, I think it’s awesome when people share their work with the world. It’s part of how change happens. If we’re constantly talking about having students publish to an authentic audience why do we criticize educators who do the same thing? Why can’t we appreciate the creative risk-taking involved in sharing your work with the world?

Some people view Twitter as a large professional conversation. They go there to engage in conversation about learning. For them, the space is a giant classroom where “shop talk” is not only allowed but actively encouraged. While some people get annoyed by the constant chats and the “pithy platitudes,” these spaces are actually pretty cool. Teachers are choosing voluntarily to engage in professional learning. For fun. With no credit. If you feel like you’ve already had those conversations before and it suddenly seems stale, that’s okay. You can take that knowledge and use it to collaborate on actual projects with others that you’ve met in this space. But for others, this space is still new and exciting and they are having those conversations for the first time. That’s actually pretty cool.

Some people view Twitter as a giant party. They go there to talk about life, music, movies, sports, and whatever else is on their mind. For them, Twitter is essentially a giant front porch. Some people have labeled this approach as shallow or criticized these people for “oversharing,” but I see this as deeply human. I love seeing the personal side of the people I follow. It’s a chance to be known and to build relationships. But for others, sharing isn’t as safe and there are parts of their identity that still put them at risk in their local community.

Some people view Twitter as a place for advocacy. It is essentially a never-ending protest where they can build a movement around ideas and leverage that for social change. It might involve specific educational policies or it might involve social justice, including the work of #blacklivesmatter and the #educolor movement. Some people have a hard time with the idea of being bold, contentious, and even political as educators. But I love to see people use their voice to advocate for things they care about.

The point is, Twitter is a diverse space where we choose implicit metaphors that govern our social norms. People love to make bold statements about what people should tweet about. Why are you tweeting about sports in the midst of injustice? Why are you being so political if we’re just here to learn? Why are you flooding my feed with chats?

Don’t get me wrong. There are certainly wrong ways to use Twitter. If you are harassing people or name-calling or bullying, then, yes, it sucks. That’s clearly the wrong way to use Twitter. But that’s also the wrong way to be human. That’s just wrong. Period. However, most of what I see from teachers on Twitter is actually pretty cool.

Think about it. We are able to connect to people around the world who view things in ways that we might not naturally see them. Last night, I hung out with Jabiz Raisdana for the first time. I felt like I knew him already because, well, I do know him. Sort-of. We’ve been blogging and interacting on social media for years. When I think of my current projects, my closest friendships, and even my current job, I realize that these are all the result of relationships I have with fellow educators on Twitter.

That’s pretty amazing.

We can tear others down for violating our self-imposed social norms or we can appreciate the diversity of the discourse and give one another the permission to be who they are without making snap judgments about motives.