Group+B+6-B-1

=Home > Group B Workspace > Learning Activity 6-B-1: Explore Read/Write Web Tools=

= ﻿Group B: = = Twitter =

__Description__: According to Twitter.com, "Twitter is a real-time information network powered by people all around the world that lets you share and discover what’s happening now."

__Educational Use__:
 * Potentially, students can "tweet" about important or exciting events in independent reading books.
 * [] This is a site outlining ten useful sources for using Twitter in the classroom.
 * Sports teams can be instantly updated to changes in practice times or required equipment.
 * Classes can receive timely reminders: the close-time for a drop-box assignment; giving them a heads-up on a TV program or radio presentation that's pertinent to the class.

Educational Use: media type="youtube" key="6WPVWDkF7U8" height="385" width="640"
 * Below is a video I found illustrating how Twitter and other types of social media are increasing student achievement at Roosevelt High School in Minnesota. While it doesn't give specifics as far as lesson plan ideas, the teacher in the video is using it as part of her English curriculum.
 * This video entitled "The Twitter Experiment" examines how Twitter helps students in above average class sizes to have a voice and feel comfortable sharing their opinions. They use Twitter to discuss various aspects of the reading material and those posts are seen up on a big projector at the front of the classroom. One of the benefits of Twitter is its ability to foster collaboration and communication. WIth increased participation, student achievement is raised. Students find themselves discussing class information outside of the classroom, on their own time or when the notion strikes. Perhaps students think more on a topic discussed in class. With 24 hour access to this social networking site, students can post their thoughts any time of day right from their cell phone.
 * A couple of other ways to successfully incorporate Twitter in the classroom come from David Silver, a blogger I found on the internet:

//"Twitter has replaced email announcements////. in the past, if something’s come up, or i want to add a reading, or we have a location change, i would send all the students in class an email. these days, when i have something to announce, or when my students have something to announce, we use twitter."// //"Twitter has replaced the cardboard box i used to bring to class on due dates////. in the past, my students would print out their papers and bring them to class; i’d collect them in a box and take them back to the office to grade. these days, my students write blogs, design flickr sets, upload vidoe, and post works-in-progress. when finished, they tweet about it so that i – and, more importantly, their peers – can check it out."//

Another article about using twitter for educational purposes: mashable.com

__How to Get Started__:
 * 1) Visit [|www.twitter.com] and click "create an account" on the right.
 * 2) Fill out the information form, accept the terms and conditions, and click "Create my account" at the bottom of the page.
 * 3) Select friends to follow; you may also follow tweets on personal interests.

Youtube video: How to Start a Twitter Account


 * ANOTHER POSSIBILITY:**

**__TeacherTube__**


 * __Description__**: TeacherTube collects teacher and student resources and projects in a searchable website.

__**Educational Use:**__
 * Videos, either teacher- or student-authored.
 * Docs - Perhaps the best feature: student Powerpoints can be saved for access and presentation in class.
 * Audio - Download listening to access another modality of learning
 * Photos
 * Channels
 * Community
 * Blogs
 * and, last but not least (NEW!!) Teacher Resources

It aims to be a clearinghouse for learning, is remarkably transparent, accessible and searchable. __**﻿**__