Roshawna,
When you make it for credit, when you set the expectations, when you model appropriate language they will rise to the challenge.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Roshawna,
When you make it for credit, when you set the expectations, when you model appropriate language they will rise to the challenge.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Chastity,
What a great idea, using technology to continue the conversation. This really could work!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I love Delicious. I’ve been using it for a few years now and its fantastic. You’ll be addicted. First it makes research much faster. Next you have all your book marks organized and finally you have all your book marks all the time! It doesn’t matter whose computer or device you are using as long as you long in they are there. So – you don’t lose all your great resources when you buy a new computer!
I’m not a huge fan of tweeting and microblogging. I find it can be distracting and takes time away from the project the student’s may need to research for the week. That said I would consider using microblogging for:
1. Design Hunt– find a great designer in your area and follow him/her
2. Provide assignment clarification and course announcements
But honestly – I’m not sold on why or how microblogging improves learning outcomes. It’s just technology.
Denise,
I'm thinking that delicious is a great site for hosting a discussion about microblogging and a good place to have students practice!
First I would have to investigate what are the appropriate microblogging sites to see which ones would be the most appropriate on to use for the particular course.
Once selected, the microblog should be set up so that I could push information to the students and the students can share information (such as: what they are thinking or their opinions) with the class.
In addition, the microblog could be used to send reminders about assignments and due dates. Pushing information to the students is more effective than expecting them to log on to the school portal and read the posted information.
I would tweet my students to remind them of due dates and/or upcoming assignments; also to let them know if something has changed in the syllabus.
I think having the discussions added would be a great idea for blogging. My concern would be the language although the expectations would be given.
I like Twitter because I can allow my students to answer one question. At the point when I end the Twitter feed, we can meet in a chat room to discuss the answers. I also like the idea of asking your students to select an appropriate person in the field and follow them and then after a specified period of time, to write an assessment of what was learned.
mary,
A perfect way to use microblogging and a great way for students to read current affairs and then communicate about them in a professional manner. Nice!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Patrice,
I think microblogging is perfect for that use. Then you have a rubric that would assess them replies and communication among the group. That would work!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Patrice,
That would be a great way to use microblogging. I like that and it is an efficient for you to grade.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
As an instructor in marketing, I would incorporate use of trending marketing industry topics and potentially use of trade journals. Furthermore, general news topics on the subject would also be a good way for students to learn "current affairs" as relates to the topic at hand.
As an instructor of economics and finance, I would post a link to an article about a recent topic which has occurred, and ask the students to comment on their opinion of the article. I would enjoy the banter which relates to the current state of the Euro, and topics of controversy.
Patrice Nybro
Dennis, I agree with your points, especially that it's good for current events. I think I would use microblogging to post a link to an article and then ask the students for their comments regarding the article. I also would use it for updates on due dates and assignment deadlines.
Great post!
Patrice
Erin,
True, students have said over and over they use their phones more than we know.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I would definitely like to use microblogging to remind students of specific due dates and deadlines. I often post announcements in the classroom to remind students of these things, but students only see these reminders if they are logged in to the classroom. Twitter would be a great way to send a message directly to each student's phone. This way, they have a much better chance of seeing the announcement.
Michelle,
Why would you have to have them use text slang in this medium? I use this type of activity to help them work on conciseness of writing. I also look at their vocabulary usage. It works!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I can honestly say that I do not see the benefit of this tool in an education setting. I personally don’t think that I should encourage students to use abbreviated words and text-based language in anything linked to an academic setting. Depending on the LMS, there can be discussions created that are off topic within each week or module that can help stimulate thinking and discussions without having to rely on a site that may be unfamiliar to some students. Most students know when their assignments are due. Whether I tweet a deadline reminder, email them a reminder, or post on Facebook there will still be students that will not submit their work by a given deadline. I also would be concerned that students would use their typical online social networking behavior in this setting and it may not be appropriate or even conducive to their learning. I full acknowledge that this may be contempt prior to investigation on my part. I just see too many cons versus pros to utilize something like Twitter in an academic setting.
