For week two’s work we read Michael Zimmer’s “Tools for the 21st Century Teacher”, which discussed a lot of websites and applications that could be useful to teachers in todays classroom. Websites such as: Twitter, Google, Glogster, Prezi, Drop Box, Quizlet,Wallwisher, TitanPad, Wordle, etc. I see many areas where these websites can be implemented for use in my KLA’s of Mathematics and Music both in the classroom, for assignments and for me to connect with other teachers. However I am apprehensive at the idea of Facebook and Twitter in the classroom.
In one of my current classes at uni I sit next to a guy who uses his laptop for class. Most of his time is spent on Facebook just aimlessly wandering. If a 21 year old can be that easily distracted by it then it worries me what would happen with a class of Year 9 boys on a Friday afternoon???
I am all for using technology in the classroom and I am also all for using Facebook and Twitter, however I think that there are certain limitations that should be adhered to in the classroom. I would not allow Facebook in the classroom at all, but I would with Twitter. I think that Twitter is a more effective Education Tool.
I personally would teach the kids how to set up a Twitter page, if they don’t already have one. Then I would show them how to follow my “teacher” (not personal) account and I would follow them. I would also show them how to use the # tag function and the @ symbol so that they can ask myself or other people questions related to the work. I like that instead of the kids having to wait for a teacher to get around to their question in class they can post it before they get to it and the teacher will have it waiting! This can be used in the same way when they are at home in the afternoon working on their assignments, if they have trouble with a question as soon as they are unsure they can post it on twitter and if any of their friends can help (without just telling them the answers) they can or we can work on it in the next class (again the student won’t be able to forget it).
Another benefit of Twitter would be following people. For example when we are studying a particular topic we can follow people who post on that topic and learn from them and maybe even research some of what has been said. It will probably even teach me a thing or two or plenty.
I personally love the advancements in Technology and think it is fantastic to implement as much as possible in the classroom, however I think that there is a sensible limit.
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