Unsolicited Advice - Explore with purpose [Advice]

This is a timely post as the Twitter Buzz was palpable (is that right?) after the second breakout session at the 21st Century Literacies Workshop today.  I really like Twitter.  I think it's fun.  It really is amazing that I can be connected with so many educators around the world.  My unsolicited advice about Twitter, Diigo, Classroom 2.0, anything that you're exploring is this:

Explore with purpose! 

cc licensed flickr photo shared by sir_watkyn

 

Allow me to illustrate this point with a story: A friend of mine since elementary school joined Twitter the other night.  He's in graduate school working on his master's degree in Theology.  I was excited to see him on Twitter because of the connections I could see him making.  My heart sank (honestly, well figuratively, but I'm not being dramatic) when I asked him what he is hoping to gain from Twitter and he answered "nothing."  He continued, "I just want to see what all the fuss is about."

Here's the thing -- and this is applicable to more than just Twitter -- Twitter isn't something you watch.  I'm not here to make rules about how Twitter should be used, but if I were, here's one rule I'd make: you have to be involved.

Twitter is what you make it. And if you make it nothing, it will be nothing.  Which is too bad, because if you work on it being great, it can be great.  So explore with a purpose.  Decide what you want Twitter to be for you.  Are you going to follow as many educators as you can and just sit back and see what they have to say?  That's perfect if that's your purpose.  Are you going to follow a select few, 40-50, and involve yourself in the conversation? Great! How about Diigo? Are you going to join and sit back?  Set a purpose!  Be a conversation starter.  Be a link sharer.

Update: It didn't take long, but wmchamberlain pointed out.....all right, I'll just say it: I was wrong.  I'm going to leave my post as I originally posted it, but Twitter can be something you watch.   That can be your purpose, and an important one, at that.  More in the comments.