Recently, I initiated some discussions on Linkedin discussing the applicability of Twitter in educational environments.
It prompted some very lively debates with comments ranging from “no *bleeping* way” for a variety of reasons to “absolutely” and again listing many different cases of appropriate utilisation.
I wondered specifically how and why people were using it was that it appears to me Twitter is another arrow that can be placed in the quiver to make courses more engaging and relevant.
Students desire interaction, whether in a classroom or in an online or distance learning environment.
Interaction in a classroom is usually completely in the hands of the instructor. It can be extensive or it can be virtually non-existent. I think we all remember which classes we enjoyed the most. People generally want to participate.
I’m not for technology simply for technology sake. However, I do advocate the use of technology to better engage the student, where appropriate.
A distance learning scenario is a perfect example. In a situation when students rarely, if ever, meet their peers, it’s very difficult to emulate the experience of a quality, engaging, live classroom setting.
This is where I feel tools, properly implemented and integrated into the learning environment, can serve both the organisation and the students well.
Communities tools, like forums, wikis, blogs, live chats, video conferences, and social networking tools and sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and yes, even Twitter can be used to both connect and facilitate interaction, discussion, and enable a more vibrant experience overall.
The same tools can be used to augment classroom based instruction as well.
I’m not advocating the use of all of them in a single course, and certainly not for all ages, but where appropriate, I feel technology can be used to enhance the learning experience.