Microblogging Activities
As an online instructor, what microblogging activities could you incorporate into your online course?
Denise,
Thank you for sharing this information, especially about delicious. I would like to use this site as well.
I like the idea of having students create a Twitter account (if not already created) following someone and having certain criteria to follow when accessing that person. I think that this would be a great project to use next term.
I have been able to use Goggle Docs - to work on team projects. I once had a grant application on a sensitive timeline. Google docs allows you to edit in real time and track the edits of others. But specifically - it allows your to post an article and track the responses to the article and responses to those responses among students. There is also a limit to space for responses -
The idea of tweeting and other forms of micro-blogging to support the classroom was new to me. This section was innovative. The ability to help students be succinct and to the point due to the limitations translate well into scholarship and scholarly activities. The additional avenue of quickly connecting to students and others is an added dynamic that can include experts and circumvent the issue of For Profit limitations on external info.
Hello Claire,
I have never heard of Delicious, so you have my curiosity. I checked it out and find it to be my interesting. The site has lots of great information from history, finances and the latest news and information. Thanks for sharing.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
Hello Dr. Kelly,
Technology is evolving daily, so I would incorporate Twitting, facebook, and mobile device apps. I believe these tools will benefit the student’s learning experience. Students will be more engaged by wanting to share real-world experiences and challenges with peers.
Marie Osuna
Online Faculty
I agree that Facebook seems outdated in my classroom as well. We use Prezis and Wikis more than anything else, but Twitter and online discussion boards really help us all stay linked.
I am one to use Youtube. I have in the past had students do docudemics of a review of a documentary we have seen in class, or a review of a book we have read in the class. They would in a 15-minute video discuss the topic. They would then post the video to an account for me to view within the wiki page that I create. I have also had them use a discussion board as a forum to post the videos as well.
David Makin
Google or Google Plus can be utilized. It is very easy to sign up for an account, if you have a gmail account already.
Depending on the course and course objectives, I could use microblogging to have students share project ideas.
I think the microblogging activities that I would incorporate most would be interaction with discussion boards and course upcoming events reminders and notices.
I'd agree and go further that Twitter is now mainstream with students and also with young professionals that have recently entered the marketplace that the student is targeting. Familiarity with Twitter and other social media tools like "following" offers a distinction at an employment interview. Use of social media would make the school, the student, and the employer look better poised in the industry.
As a grad student, one of the microblogging activities that was incorporated into our online course was where we all had to follow the hashtag that was created for the course. We were then asked to tweet pictures of book titles that we found that were relevant to the assignment. The most creative titles won an award. During the day, our instructor followed along the thread. It was fun!
I would like to incorporate a course hashtag and post when assignments are due and reminders, fun facts and anything else to engage the course. I think the students would really enjoy this.
I have not used microblogging activities as of yet but it appears it could have several possibilities. Right now due the nature of our course, we cannot implement it at this time.
Eryn,
You have the start of a strong multimedia strategy. Nontraditional students may have initial issues but need to understand the role of this type of communication.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Suzanne,
Do you use them in your online courses. I think polling is such a powerful tool that can be used online.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I use youtube videos, tweeting and student polls. The students love the polling because they can give me feedback in a quick and easy way. I use the videos to explain difficult topics and as a welcome. I think it makes a personal connection when students can see what I look like and how I sound.
In my courses I could use a microblog as a means to get to know my students better, as a QA forum and also to remind students of upcoming due dates. Given that I typically teach nontraditional students it would be difficult to work this in as a required component in the classroom but it would be a great supplement to learning.
Stephanie,
True, and many of them will use the tool in their workplace. What a great tool for their own professional tool box.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
