I came across this article and was hoping that you would read it and post what you think. I am not going to say anything either way until after a few posts to see what your opinion is without knowing what I think. http://chronicle.com/wiredcampus/article/3705/professor-encourages-students-to-pass-notes-during-class-via-twitter
Thanks!
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I'm not so sure I'm free-flowing enough to allow that kind of "second layer" of conversation during class. After class or during an Achieve-type time, maybe. Unfortunately, I doubt that many of my students are mature enough to use twitter as I would hope they might. Knowing college students, I doubt many of them were on-task with their tweets, either.
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side: in a college classroom where students can bring in whatever electronics they want, theyre going to be texting each other, anyway. If you give them permission, as long as it has to do with class, what are you really losing?
I guess I wouldn't be totally opposed to using a blog, as long as I can monitor it somehow. I'd also be concerned about cyber-bullying and parent perceptions. Right or not, parents' perceptions carry a lot of weight.
What do you think?
Scott
Good thoughts Scott.
ReplyDeleteDoes sound pretty intimidating doesn't it. Although I think I would be willing to jump in with both feet. I'm sure at first the kids would start posting just about anything, but after a while they would get used to having the freedom and conversations would narrow down to more appropriate thoughts. I can see the benifiet of students being able to express themselves. there writing notes anyway and for our multitaskers it gives them another contact point. Also for those who won't raise their hand this is another way to share. While a little nervous, in the right environment this could be great.
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting but as stated he did it w/a graduate class...big difference between them and middle schoolers. I don't know that it would work w/a regular-sized class. You might be able to try it w/a very small group that you could completely monitor but again, trying to teach and keep on top of what they are doing would be difficult. Also, are the students themselves able to stay on topic; paying attention, "writing notes", and interacting w/each other? There are some students that would handle it but there are others that I wouldn't even want to attempt it.
ReplyDeleteThe key I think would be to teach students what is appropriate and what is not and then be prepared with pencil paper alternative for those students who refuse to work within the rules. There would need to be well defined rules with straight forward consequences. I also think it would be important to model your expectations. I think it could work, but like anything new we try, it takes practice and a willingness not to give up on its use.
ReplyDeleteLook at it more like this . . . Let's say the topic of discussion is types of governements. The teacher would present a discussion topic on the teacher board . . . students would research the topic and then respond on the student board . . . the teacher could then monitor responses as the students share ideas. Each time a new thought or idea was posted to the teacher board students would respond. This would give the teacher an opportunity to asssess understanding and guide the discussion when it goes astray.
At issue would be the availablity of computers or other devices for students to use in order to participate. Not all students have cell phones with internet access and we certainly do not have enough computers in the classroom to support this type of instruction.
It would be fun though ! ! !
Good thoughts Kristi, Ted & Cindy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the comments yet but I'll express my very old school opinion--I think the these back conversations are rude whther twitter or Iming. I buy into the recent research that says there is no such thing as multitasking---anyone who thinks they are multitasking are actually doing nothing well.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...I had not thought of that before.
ReplyDeleteAs intrigued as I am with all of the new technologies available, I have to agree with Nancy on the multitasking issue. Middle schoolers, especially, have enough distractions without us giving them more. NEA had an interesting aricle last fall about multitasking entitled You Say Multitasking Like It's a Good Thing
ReplyDeleteOkay -- I think it is time for my opinion. It depends....I think that just as with some adults, some students can multi-task. Others this would be insane to do with them. For example: my eldest can text, IM, blog, use myspace, listen to music and do homework all at the same time and be extremely successful. (He gets this from his mother.) Whereas my oldest daughter cannot chew bubble gum and walk at the same time....I'm not sure she can even chew bubble gum without biting her tounge. (She gets this from her father) :) So would this be practical in a classroom? I think that it depends on the patience level of the teacher and the makeup of the class.
ReplyDeleteI know that we did a professional development via 2ndLife today. The speaker was talking and we were all texting to him and each other comments about what he was saying. Some did it successfully, some were frustrated.
What do you all think?
How big is the class? What are they doing?
ReplyDeleteEveryone's brain is different. Some people would NEVER ask a question of the teacher and sit there confused--but they WOULD type a question on the backchannel. Opposite is true--the quiet ones often have the answers.
All teachers say they value classroom participation. Is that just oral participation? Why can't this be just as valuable?
Mr. Schneider: You are right, these considerations would need to be made. I would assume if you have a class of 30, it is okay to manage, but a class of 20 would be ideal. I personally have not used this in the classroom, but I do use blogs. I am so amazed at some of the answers I get from kids that never participate in verbal conversations. For these guys it is a safe environment and they do not compete with others for the slim amount of time that we give for conversations about our topic at hand. Also for those that are always answering and blurting out, they seem to take more time to really consider what they are going to say.
ReplyDeleteHow can you see using this technology in your classroom?
ReplyDelete