Educational uses of Twitter

Twitter can be used in the classroom in many different ways. Twitter is a great way to start a discussion and get lots of feedback from students who do not feel the need to wait their turn to talk. I feel Twitter can spread ideas quickly and comfortably because of this. Also Twitter is a great tool to use because it could elicit responses from shy students who would not ordinarily raise their hand and speak up. Most students are already on Twitter for personal reasons and I think it is a great idea to incorporate their education into their everyday lives.

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OxIz_3o3O0&NR=1

Students are already using twitter for social interactions it only natural to use Twitter in an educational setting as well. Using social media will catch students’ attention and make them want to participate even more. Social media also prepares them for communication in the future with all of the technology that is currently emerging.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPVWDkF7U8

Dr Rankin is a History professor at the University of Texas in Dallas. Dr Rankin discusses the uses of Twitter in her classroom. One very important benefit of Twitter discussed on this video was that ordinarily shy students feel more comfortable giving input online on a site like Twitter in a class discussion that raising their hand in a classroom.

 

http://web20teach.blogspot.com/2007/08/twitter-tweets-for-higher-education.html

This site discusses the potential for teachers to use Twitter in an educational setting for homework and reminders for the students. Also it is discussed that students can get updated on Twitter, as well as updated their own Twitter status by cell phone.

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7027.pdf

This site explains what Twitter is, who is using it, how it works, where is it going, the down sides of it, and educational uses of it. In the educational section there is discussion of “micro-podcasts” which are short audio tweets. Twitter has so many uses. This site discusses how twitter is a blog site as well as a social networking site and how widely it is used. Individuals and companies use Twitter as a platform to spread ideas and thoughts. This site discusses Twitter as useful for Metacognition due to the sites 140 character limit. This site also discussed Twitter’s usefulness for event or conference attendees to post a short synopsis of learned ideas.

 

http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2009/06/08/50-ways-to-use-twitter-in-the-college-classroom/

 Professors and students can contact one another to share ideas without having to exchange phone numbers. Students can get to know one another by read each other’s tweets. Tweetworks can be set up which allows group members to work together on a project. Teachers can sent out tweets as reminders for tests, assignments deadlines, etc. Students can brainstorm on Twitter by reading other tweets on a certain subject. Apps like PollDaddy can be used to ask students opinions and get feedback for preojects or topics. Students can share websites as tweets. Twitter in the classroom is a daily learning opportunity as twitter is updated so frequently. Twitter is a tool for ambient awareness.

 

http://www.twitip.com/twitter-is-a-tool-for-ambient-awareness/

 Twitter can be used in an educational setting to increase awareness of surroundings. You may hear little bits and pieces of some ones thought on a matter that in time create something meaningful to you.

 

http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2009/05/best-practices-in-twitter-enhanced-high.html

 This site is a blog of a teacher whose school recently lifted a school-wide ban on Twitter. She discusses the uses of Twitter in her classroom not that she is allowed. This teacher saw Twitter as a great place to make mistakes and get immediate feedback. Also she was Twitter as a place to be a part of a discussion without having to wait your turn. Also this teacher said Twitter is a great place to learn to question authority. This site also goes on with a list of several activities that could be used a teacher with Twitter in the classroom.