Many people have been warned of the possible harmful effects of using technology in the classroom. Will students become dependent on technology to learn?
Well, Twitter is one of the most recent innovations to social media and networking. For those of you who are not sure what Twitter is or how it is used here is a brief description. Twitter is owned and operated by Twitter Inc., which offers a social networking and I would say mini-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' messages called tweets. Tweets are text-based posts and are displayed on the user's profile page. Tweets are visible to the public as default, but senders can make their tweets private in which only those following them can see them. Users may subscribe to other’s tweets, in which this is known as following and subscribers are known as followers.
Twitter in the classroom has seemed to be a new phenomenon for classroom activity. I have personally had a professor use twitter regularly in her course; from events in the news to class updates, assignment reminders and so much more. I found that this was pretty interesting and kind of made me feel that the professor was trying to reach her students in innovative ways. I also feel I benefited from this sort technology being used for academic purposes.
In some cases that I have recently read about teachers and professors are finding new ways to engage and retain their students’ attention through the use of Twitter. They are introducing it in their classrooms and having it be a part of their lecture segments, which I find even more fascinating. In addition some are even replacing previously used technologies with Twitter.
Here are a few links from those who have used Twitter in their classrooms
What do you think about twitter being used for academic purposes? Do you feel it can be effective? Do you feel students will become dependent upon this type of social media? Share your thoughts.
Personally I LOVE twitter. I think it's a great tool for learning and letting everyone know what is going on. I don't obsess and update it every two seconds, but what I like is that it's an ongoing conversation. One beneficial element of twitter is that it allows only 140 characters to be entered. Some may see this as an obstacle, my self at times included, but it's important because it forces the user to make a specific statement. I feel that It allows for more accurate and precise thoughts, although there is one downfall to this. Although I wouldn't use twitter to conduct online classes, I think it would be fun to use to update students about classes or things relating tho their class. It could be an easy tool for assigning homework or even a tool for taking attendance. Secondly it would be an easy way to get in touch with classmates.
ReplyDeleteAs mentioned above there is a downfall to the 140 characters, it may force users to use what is known as "leet speak." For those who are unfamiliar an example of leet speak would be: [sup, ery1? gtg do sum hw b4 dinner] written out this would say [what's up everyone. I have to go do some homework before dinner.] Leet speak would be a downfall to twitter because it would deteriorate written language into a mess of non-phonemic symbols.
Personally, I refuse to use Twitter out of spite of unnecessary technology. Now I understand that Twitter can serve a relevant purpose in our society, but I just like to be difficult sometimes. Although it is annoying to see updates of everyone's thoughts and opinions, academic reminders could definitely be helpful. As an example, the department, say HRD Master's program, could post the classes we are supposed to take next semester. Twitter would also be a great tool for creating a social atmosphere within academics, fostering a more inclusive, and socially dynamic atmosphere. Twitter is a tool that can informally keep everyone's focus around their commitment to education.
ReplyDeleteUnlike Austin I HATE twitter. I created an account and gave it a try for about three months, only to realize that it wasn't for me. In terms of Twitter being used as a learning tool within the classroom setting I’m not too sure about. I do think that due to the nature of the instant "tweets" and update, such things as assignment reminders and class cancellations will be helpful. However, using twitter and the primary means of getting assignments isn't so much of a great idea. Similar to AIM and text messaging, I have found that I unconsciously use "leet speaking" in everyday typing. I have seen numerous times when I have had to go back and correct "short-hand" spelling due to the daily use of such language. But as I mentioned, in no way am I a fan of using Twitter as a mean of communication.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have never used Twitter so my opinion on its usable would be invalid. But from what I’ve gathered from the links and from knowing people who do use Twitter, I think it would be a good academic communication tool. Social networking interfaces such as Facebook, Twitter, AIM, are keeping people in touch with one another even when they are apart. I have friends who used Twitter religiously and it keeps them connected. I’ve seen them come together and talk about what someone Tweeted that day. “Did you read so and so’s Tweet?” “Yes!” I saw that. So if a teacher used Twitter as a way to keep the class connected, I think it could work in terms of updates, syllabus changes, homework reminders, links to resources, etc. “Did you see Dr. Wilcox’s Tweet about the Podcasts?” “Yes, I saw that.” I think sometimes, when courses lack communication between the instructor and students, you can run into problems and misunderstandings about an assignment or a due date. One challenge with bringing Twitter to the classroom would be getting everyone to use it. For example, I don’t have a Twitter account and if I was forced to set one up for a class I would probably only use it for that class, so I still would be logging on limitedly and still might be missing out on important Tweets.
ReplyDeleteI think like any other social technology, from twitter to facebook to texting, educators need to look for advantages to learning. A lot of these technologies are becoming a students go to source for information, whether news or just checking in on friends, it is has become a habit to check frequently. This being the case I think it makes the perfect platform for delivering information related to courses or coursework. Schools seem to immediately look at the negative aspects of such technologies and immediately ban there use instead of looking at the advantages they offer in communication between teacher and student.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mike, in that as educators we might need to "suck it up" and use Twitter in the classroom to enhance communication and provide up to the minute updates. The examples Chervon gave were excellent examples of why this technology can add to the classroom experience. I enjoyed the example about the PSU professor using Twitter to supplement discussion during class. The exchange of ideas and encouragement possible in the online setting versus what is possible to be socially exchanged during lecture is invaluable. If you were able to get students using Twitter for class, I bet many of them would respond better to short tweets here and there versus a long email with bulleted points.
ReplyDeleteAll this being said, I set up a Twitter account in '08 and have not used it since. I suppose I should get with the program again too!
Like many of my fellow commenters, I am anti-Twitter—virulently so. I think it not only reflects, but contributes to society’s increasingly shrinking attention span, and truthfully, am disgusted that the Library of Congress is archiving the collected works of Twitter. Now I’ll hop off my Luddite soapbox. I can’t imagine what Twitter brings to the table that other technologies don’t already. If it can be conveyed in 140 characters, how important can it be? And is it so important that an email couldn’t serve the same purpose? There is the additional issue of accessibility. Not everyone has access to the technology that would allow them to keep up to date at a Twitter pace, and really, do we need to? I think Twitter just invites information overload, inappropriate informality, and sloppiness.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy twitter. I use it frequently, but solely for entertainment purposes. In a classroom environment, I am not confident that it would be so useful. I respect the new innovation that these teachers are attempting. I'm sure the students do enjoy it, however it just doesn't seem like it is necessary to me. Perhaps in the future as it becomes more widespread, my opinion will change. As an avid twitter user now, it is just not something that really sparks excitement in me.
ReplyDeleteI know nothing about twitter. I have never had an account nor do i really have a desire to create one. i don't have a bad attitude about it i just don't have one. I do like what Mike and Jess said about sucking it up though. I teach 3rd grade, if i did have a twitter account i do not think my students would be checking for minute by minute tweets. Now my parents might check it but honestly I feel like my class website is just as effective. i like the links chervon posted. i am sure it is an excellent resource in the classroom it's just not one i am comfortable enough with to implement. maybe i should get on the bandwagon...
ReplyDeleteI think when it comes to Twitter you either use it or don't use it at all. I do have a Twitter account and 2 summers ago used it frequently because of the job I was working. Everyone in the company used Twitter frequently for personal and professional use. With technology constantly changing and evolving I think using it in the classroom is only appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI think Facebook would be something that could get kids "addicted" to and distracted in a classroom setting because of all the gadgets and applications. However, Twitter is simple and straight forward. You follow and have followers. You don't have a lot of typing space, so your "tweet" must be to the point. I think it's an excellent source for updates and in-and-out classroom learning.
Personally, I'd like to get back into tweeting more regularly. I also follow different news channels and I am able to be updated on what is going on around the town, state, country and world in literally a click of a button. I think this would be another great way to have students learn what is going on around them -- expanding their knowledge. Possibly a great tool for teachers in history or the like field of study.
I think it is important that individuals get introduced and explained to the concept and 'tricks' to using Twitter. Most of the time no one makes an account because they either think it's pointless, too similar to blogging or using Facebook, or just really don't understand how to use it.
Although I've never used Twitter, I do think it seems like a cutting-edge way of getting information across, whether it is messages, alerts, photos, etc. It seems so "up to date" since it can literally be updated anywhere at anytime, provided the technological means are available.
ReplyDeleteI can see Twitter being used in a classroom by a teacher to keep the class up to date on class or school activities (School Dance will be Friday), or reminders (Remember to study for your Science test tomorrow!)