Over the past couple of weeks, I've been conducting a survey on Twitter use. I've also been talking and discussing Twitter use on the LinkedIn group devoted to Twitter use for educators. I've started to notice a common theme, Twitter addiction. People are having a hard time handling the massive flow of information that is coming at them through Twitter.

This is the first of a series of articles I'll be writing about how to keep your Twitter use under control and make the most of Twitter. In this first article we will go over some symptoms of Twitter addiction and how the overuse of Twitter can be a major time killer.

Twitter gurus have become a dime a dozen.  They hawk their advice to anyone within earshot telling you about the latest Twitter tool.  It's easy to get overwhelmed and think you have to know about every tool and start taking speed just to keep up with the avalanche of tweets and information coming at you.  Well, hopefully this guide can give you a good idea of what you do and do not need for your particular Twitter experience.

I'd like to think of the types of Twitter users out there in three different levels.  Each level has specific goals and needs.  Just as you don't need a bazooka to kill a fly, a fly swatter isn't going to do much for an avalanche.  Different tools are suitable for different people.  This will hopefully help you understand the big picture in terms of what you need to do.

I've seperated Twitter users into three categories - beginner (green circle), intermediate (blue square), and advanced (black diamond)  This isn't to say that everyone needs to compete and make it to the 'advanced' level.  You might be perfectly happy and satsified with being at the green circle level.  And that's okay, Twitter isn't meant to be an epic battle of who can Tweet the most, or who can get the most followers.

Okay so I might have gone a little out on a limb with this, but please hear me out.  Twitter and Facebook and other social media outlets get some flak from time to time for 'destroying the English language.'  Critics claim that in our fast paced society we aren't stopping to check our grammar, and that if things continue this way we will tear a whole in the very fabric of communication, destroying any hope of our little ones interacting with each other in an intelligent way.

But I say it isn't true.  I say Twitter is actually a boon for the English language.  It's a gift we should be cherishing instead of rushing to chastise.  I say embrace the 140 characters.  Champion it as the savior of language, a symbol of all that is right with good writing.  I will even go so far as to say that if you are not using Twitter you may actually be hurting your writing abilities and in turn destroying the English language. (ok, so maybe not destroying the English language, but I thought I'd be controversial)

Although there are several teacher-student matching services that can be used to gain more private students, they can be quite costly and do not always guarantee results. Teachers who are interested in marketing themselves to potential students may find that it is easier and more fruitful to use some of the free tools available on the web:

1. TeachStreet - TeachStreet was designed specifically for teachers who want to grow their student base. Within this site, teachers can create an in-depth online profile, market their business, and connect with new students. The site also allows teachers to share expertise through articles, lesson plans, and online reviews.

2. YouTube - YouTube has become one of the quickest and easiest ways to share yourself with the world. Teachers can use the site to post video resumes, class information, promotional materials, and other items designed to attract new students.

3. TeacherTube - This YouTube style site was created specifically for teachers. It can be used to share instructional videos and other educational materials. Teachers who want to promote their classes online can create a few sample videos on TeacherTube and link to them from a website, blog, or newsletter.