When i was in college, 7 years ago, I took some courses in which more than 100 students attended. Especially, when i took English literature class, I haven't had a chance talk with my professor, but share my thinking only with classmates who sat around me. Before the lesson, I read the textbook by myself. During the class, I listen professor's lecture about such as the summary and the background of the novel. After the class, I have to write a paper about my opinion and thinking of the book to professor. I did not have a chance to share my idea about the person in the novel, or the author with my classmate who may have different opinion as mine.
Now, very smart and attractive one came up to me, Twitter !
Many articles and blogs explained how to use twitter in the classroom, and I realized there has been
a lot of ways to use it in teaching and learning. First of all, 'quick information'. Even in the large size of the class, every students can express their opinion and share ideas through twitter. As an example, when a teacher give one topic to 100 students at the same time, they all can twitt even at the same time without any voice. Do you think the classroom may be very silent? No. No passive, no silent in Twitter.. And teachers will not just stand in front of them. Teachers can check and ask students what they have done/doing.
According to Jane Hart's comprehensive guide How to Use Twitter for Social Learning,
there is an specific example how to use twitter in classroom.
Pre-class: give students question so that they tweets to keep the discussion going.
During class: keep the students communicating with one another. Sharing links to relevant resources, websites. Sharing students experiences of what they have done/doing.
Post-class: sending out reminders about upcoming tests, project duedates, class-related news.
The article, Twitter expanding our classroom- shrinking the world, shows one example how affects to use Twitter with 6th graders in classroom. the author said that twitter shrinks the world. During the class, not only learn a language, but also they learn the culture and happenings in the world.
Twitter can be used not only for teaching in the classroom, but also for professional development. Many resources (video, articles, activities, music, etc.) teachers can keep and share through twitter. Teachers can also have a more chance to intimate with each of the students individually. Easy to get feedback and easy to recognize what their students need now.
The article, Twitter expanding our classroom- shrinking the world, shows one example how affects to use Twitter with 6th graders in classroom. the author said that twitter shrinks the world. During the class, not only learn a language, but also they learn the culture and happenings in the world.
Twitter can be used not only for teaching in the classroom, but also for professional development. Many resources (video, articles, activities, music, etc.) teachers can keep and share through twitter. Teachers can also have a more chance to intimate with each of the students individually. Easy to get feedback and easy to recognize what their students need now.
I just realized that many educators give a lot of resources through twitter and if I just follow them, I could get many resources they uploaded, I could talk with them and even ask tips for teaching. A lot of opportunity for professional development are given by Twitter. The thing is I have to get my feet wet eagerly and continuously looking, searching, and trying to develop me.
