I have had my own personal Twitter account for about a year and a half now and I really like Twitter the most out of all the social networks I've used in the past. The only thing I don't like is you can't upload a ton of pictures like you can on Facebook. But overall I have never had a problem with Twitter and I like how easy it is to follow people and see what everyone is doing. I keep my personal Twitter private since I do work with kids already. I really don't post anything bad, but I would rather be safe then sorry. I also like the private mode so that the whole world can't see my tweets or even follow me.
In my SEDU 183 class at Edinboro University we had to create a professional Twitter and use it to follow our classmates and other educators. This past Tuesday in class we took a class quiz on Twitter by using the hashtag #SEDU183quiz1. I thought this was a very useful tool because we could all work together as a group without talking and every could contribute their part.
I think Twitter in the classroom could be a great idea, but you could also run into a lot of problems. First off I think only high school and college students should use Twitter in the classroom and only if they are going to use it for educational reasons. In my high school, we had net books in every classroom, but every social network site was blocked because they were seen as a distraction the classroom. I can see where they are coming from, but I don't think they really knew how beneficial Twitter or any social networking site could have been to the classroom.
Me wanting being an elementary school teacher, I would never use Twitter or any social networking sites in my classroom with my students. I wouldn't even use it for a middle school classroom. First off, it takes away from the face to face learning experience and the children are just too young. If they are always behind a computer screen they may not be paying attention to the teacher and they may not develop that personal relationship with the teacher either. Also, it can trigger cyber bulling, or the students can come in contact with a person who might not be who they say they are. If homework or tests are given online sometimes it makes it easier for the child to cheat. Bring a college student and going through a high school with net books in every room, I can tell you, that I would much rather do homework on paper any day.
You make some very good points about technology. Your article is noce and long, too. All-in-all, good work.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. It is good to see that your knowledge of privacy settings are at a professional level because as a teacher you are a role model for those kids. Also, I do agree that technology does have its restrictions on age. I, as a secondary education pre-service teacher, would consider these tools, but as you said it is very hard for elementary students, as well as middle level to access and use they effectively and maturely.
ReplyDeleteYour post was written very well, and brought up a lot of important points. I agree very much with the fact that Twitter and other technology can trigger cyber bullying, and can be an overall danger for children at such a young age. Hopefully by the time students reach High School, they will be able to judge where potential dangers lie and how to address them appropriately.
ReplyDeleteI think that you made some good points about some of the downsides of technology in the classroom. I plan to use technology in my classroom, but not any social media. If I use social media it will be on my own time. Twitter to me is more adult because it is so literacy focused.
ReplyDeleteYou made some very good points in the aspect that all students will have different ways that they prefer to learn and do there homework. I feel that in time we will all see that there is a place for technology in the classroom but as future teachers we will just have to find a way that we feel comfortable implementing it.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who is going for Early Childhood Education, I agree, I would not use Twitter for such young children either. Like you said, high school and college students I would use it. It has been pretty interesting using it for SEDU 183 and it is something I was not used to. Like you, I have a personal account, so to use it for something professional was a change. Great post!
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