Learning with

witter

Two articles

CNN.com"Twitter finds a place in the classroom" by Dan Simonhttp://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/06/08/twitter.school/index.html?iref=allsearch

eSchoolNews.com"How Twitter can be used as a powerful educational tool" by Alan November and Brian Mull. http://www.eschoolnews.com/2012/07/13/how-twitter-can-be-used-as-a-powerful-educational-tool/?

Outline

1. Learning in the Classroom (CNN)a. Exampleb. Pros and cons

2. Teaching Outside the Classroom (eSchoolNews)a. Exampleb. Pros and Cons

3. Connecting Globally (eSchoolNews)a. Exampleb. Pros and Cons

Learning in the Classroom

Example: Enrique Legaspi's 8th grade class

• BYOT and IWB

• Student responses and feedback

• Specific assignments

Learning in the Classroom

• Involves shy students

• Can highlight certain comments

• Decreases effects of "digital divide"

• No speaking and listening skills

• Innapropriate comments

Pros Cons

Teaching Outside the Classroom

Example: Geometry teacher Mrs. Caviness

• Connected to students

• Baseball scenarios

"Can you write the warm-up question for tomorrow that goes with this cup? Include volume somehow."

Teaching Outside the Classroom

• Students engaged in real-context learning

• Models a positive use of social media

• Increases effects of "digital divide"

• Does not benefit in-classroom learning

Pros Cons

Connecting Globally

Example: Brian Mull and Egypt 2011

• Researched protest with #Egypt and #Jan25

• Posted question; got response from Egyptian woman

• Skype interview

Connecting Globally

• Research any current event

• Brings social studies to life

• Opportunity to teach safe interactions through social media

• Not guaranteed a global response

• May expose students to questionable content

Pros Cons

Highlights

Using Twitter• Encourages student engagement

• Teaches students beneficial use of social media

• Extends classroom outside of school

Pitfalls

Using Twitter• Decreases time spent on speaking and

listening

• Can increase effects of "digital divide"

My Opinion

• Sparingly use Twitter for in-class responses

• Cater out-of-classroom learning to student population

• Make good use of exploring current issues via Twitter during classroom time

Questions to Consider

• Which context do you think is most feasible and useful? Will you use Twitter this way?

• How much social media use is too much? Can you use it too much?

• Besides social studies and math, what other content areas can benefit from Twitter and how?