This opinion piece introduces, defines and considers the application of Twitter within occupational therapy research and education. It defines the social networking tool and then examines its potential for use in occupational therapy education, by students and within research. The opinion piece raises critical issues that the profession must address in relation to the responsible use of Twitter but strongly advocates it as a form of social media that needs to be better understood and utilised by educators, researchers and practitioners within occupational therapy.
BodellSHookAPenmanMWadeW (2009) Creating a learning community in today's world: how blogging can facilitate continuing professional development and international learning. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 72(6), 279–81.
2.
BristolTJBillingsDMKowalskiK (2010) Twitter: consider the possibilities for continuing nursing education. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 41(5), 199–200.
GiordanoCGiordanoC (2011) Health professions students' use of social media. Journal of Allied Health, 40(2), 78–81.
5.
JuncoRHeibergertGLokenE (2010) The effect of Twitter on college student engagement and grades. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27(2), 1–14.
6.
MandavilliA (2011) Trial by Twitter. Nature, 469, 286–87.
7.
MistryV (2011) Critical care training: using Twitter as a teaching tool. British Journal of Nursing, 20(20), 1292–96.
8.
MollettAMoranDDunleavyP (2011) Using Twitter in university research, teaching and impact activities. A guide for academics and researchers.London School of Economics and Political Science Public Policy Group.
SkibaDJ (2008) Nursing Education 2.0: Twitter & tweets. Can you post a nugget of knowledge in 140 characters or less?Nursing Education Perspectives, 29(2), 110–12.