A lot of people don't rate twitter, and don't know how to start their PLN once they are on.
Here are my top tips.
1. Don't use the twitter website. Either download tweetdeck (http://www.tweetdeck.com/) if using the same PC regularly, or create a hootsuite account (http://www.hootsuite.com/) if jumping from mchine to machine. I've got both...
2. If you know someone who regulalrly uses twitter for school, go to http://www.friendorfollow.com/chris_1974/friends (the link is to mine). This gives a list of people that your friend follows, that follow them back. Have a look at some of those peeps, and follow the ones you like.
3. Find a friendly hashtag to add to tweetdeck or hootsuite. My obvious ones are #ukedchat and #mathchat As you see people whose views you like, or who make you think, follow them. Also keep an eye out for #ff or #teachertuesday recommendations.
4. Add a picture an a bio. I'm more likely to follow people back if I can tell something about them from their pic, and what they say about themselves.
5. Lists. Many people have lists of key people they follow. For example I have a list of people I work with at http://twitter.com/#!/chris_1974/jbspeeps-7/members and my conversationlist (a dynamic list of people I most interact with) is at http://twitter.com/#!/chris_1974/conversationlist/members. Have a look at lists belonging to people you follow - it can be a valuable source of people.
6. Engage! A network really builds when it is two way. Respond to questions, ask your own.
Enjoy. What have I missed!
