Teaching with Microblogging Tools

TEACHING with MICROBLOGGING TOOLS : TEACHING with MICROBLOGGING TOOLS Image by WORDLE 1

COMPARING MICROBLOGS : COMPARING MICROBLOGS 2

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Status check : Status check Last count: over 139 Micro-blogging sites International micro-blogging applications increasing Competition keeps adding features to enhance the applications 4

EDMODO : EDMODO http://www.edmodo.com/ many “classroom” type features enables users to create groups and share files, links, embedded videos and images along with alerts, assignments and events SMS text; mobile phone app several resources for teaching tips 5

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EDMODO : EDMODO new service; not many users = Pownce? limited integration due to privacy features limited access to public community (external rather than internal) does not work well with other MBs time consuming front end set up 7

JAIKU : JAIKU http://www.jaiku.com/ posts limited to 100 characters “channels “allow you to separate conversation streams and thread comments lets you add RSS feeds from your blog or photo site ; nice features for uploading images each post has its own page for comments 8

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JAIKU : JAIKU limited “IM” restricted to Google (no AIM, Yahoo) postings are either public or private looks like Twitter, acts like twitter, but it is more blog-like in terms if design streaming content is not as timely if there are no responses to postings mobile phone features are problematic 10

PLURK : PLURK http://www.plurk.com social journaling with a visual timeline (140 characters) Can create “cliques” to send information to specific groups and manage audiences Allows messaging; sharing of images and videos Allows for keyword searching to locate Nice built-in features for posting 11

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PLURK : PLURK Karma- the more one uses Plurk, the more features one gains access to use Cannot SMS to the timeline User base is limited which can be problematic for finding resources; lots of vendors limited IM messaging 13

TUMBLR : TUMBLR http://www.tumblr.com/ more like a mini-blog than a micro-blog photos, video support, and feeds, entries get own pages; nice interface smart bookmarklets let you share web pages online scrapbooking 14

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TUMBLR : TUMBLR no page dedicated to public posts no ability to set up private postings; all is public learning curve issues must monitor feedback on each page Set-up is longer than most tools 16

TWITTER : TWITTER http://twitter.com/ posts are 140 characters…but public and private posting is possible several useful add-ons enhance tool use hashtags and search tools sustainability 17

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TWITTER : TWITTER no way to sort, search through own postings “help” desk poorly constructed down time from too many users interface features changes often Needs to improve features for data retrieval and posting 19

Other interesting MBs : Other interesting MBs Hictu – http://www.hictu.com Video MB- many features of MB Skype+MB+YouTube Squeelr - http://www.squeelr.com No account- just post; iphone only, but geolocation Blip.fm – http://www.blipfm.com music MB 20

FEATURES to consider : FEATURES to consider tool integration and mashup capabilities ease of use support systems privacy and security functions messaging accessibility (SMS text) levels of control 21

CLASSROOM OPERATIONS : CLASSROOM OPERATIONS 22

Announcements : Announcements Use MBs to post information regarding specific class activities, assignments, and events Use MBs to share information among staff members in different district buildings Use tool for targeted updates to parents, students, athletes, alumni Use tool to post school board minutes; competition results 23

academic support : academic support Use MBs for study groups, tutoring, library support, Use MBs for homework hotline and assistance Use MBs for information FAQs on school policies, procedures, and safety information for students and parents Use MBs for students who need targeted support (students “at risk”, students who are absent) 24

outreach : outreach Use MBS to inform the community of events at the school; sporting events, theatre productions Use MBS to interact with community partners (local libraries, museums, corporate partners) to improve instructional experiences Use MBs to connect to local social service agencies that support students and parents Use MBs for fundraising and scholarships 25

INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES : INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES 26

Construct Knowledgeexpress, explore, and generate ideas : Construct Knowledgeexpress, explore, and generate ideas enhance class discussions with postings digital storytelling; “twittories” Platform for meta-cognition (clear-concise-thinking) activities enhance cross-cultural experiences fieldwork notebooks medium for brainstorming 27

The 3 C’scommunication, collaboration, creating : The 3 C’scommunication, collaboration, creating MBs provide both synchronous and asynchronous communication exchange of content accessible medium for collaborative global classroom projects 140 word digital formative assessments instant feedback for lectures 28

Social Literacy : Social Literacy MBs can teach information literacy skills MBs can provide access to instant news coverage of events as they unfold – election night MBs teach students appropriate ways to converse online MBs prompt students to engage in user content creation and to evaluate user generated content in an immediate manner 29

Solve problems : Solve problems course centric streams for specific class topics case study analysis ; trend analysis collaborative research projects through project-based channels enables opportunities for students to answer queries within brief timeline post to the politician, community leader 30

Build Citizenship : Build Citizenship learn a language; language features in some MBs follow global trending topics (Haiti) new version of pen pals MBs can connect students to social service agencies to address community concerns MBs cultivate cultural exchanges on a wide range of current event topics; issues; debates 31

Use technology : Use technology Promotes digital user content creation teaches technology integration through the use of mobile phone, the web, and other apps teaches students about parameters for “participant web technologies teaches students how to use medium for data collection and online polling teaches students about social media 32

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT : FACULTY DEVELOPMENT 33

FOSTER TEACHING : FOSTER TEACHING Content area teachers can share links, files, and other materials to build curricular resources MBs can serve as mentoring tools for entry level teachers MBs can help student teachers, cooperating teachers and educational faculty work together MBs can help educators collaborate and model social media literacy skills in the classroom 34

FOSTER LEARNING : FOSTER LEARNING MBs can facilitate on going “teacher chats” on topics of interest or discipline related issues MBS can serve as personal learning networks (PLNs) connecting teachers to a more global community of educators MBs can connect educators to academic conferences, educational organizations, and experts in the field 35

FOSTER RESEARCH : FOSTER RESEARCH MBs make it easy to obtain up to date literature review resources MBs provide access to unpublished resources – works in progress MBs can help modify research topics and inquiries MBs help educators find others who are involved in similar projects; no more working in isolation 36

CHALLENGES and CONCERNS : CHALLENGES and CONCERNS 37

QUESTIONS : QUESTIONS How do I convince the administration that I can teach with these tools? What type of controls will I have in place to ensure privacy and security? How do you assess the use of MBs for learning? What happens to the content? How should I integrate micro-blogging into my teaching? 38

RECOMMENDATIONS : RECOMMENDATIONS select the tool that best fits your purpose determine parameters for classroom use of the toll to control “noise” levels Ensure that use of the tool is linked to meaningful activities that reflect learning objectives know when not to use the tool Integrate micro-blogging with other proven tools 39

RECOMMENDATIONS : RECOMMENDATIONS Find the tool that best fits your teaching style; the trendy tool may not be the one Use a combination of microblogs Create mashups that simplify, not complicate your life weed out accounts that do not integrate with other web tools 40

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES : ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 41

Books and articles : Books and articles McFedries, P. Twitter. Tips, Tricks, and Tweets. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing 2009. Morris, T. All a Twitter. Indianapolis, IN: Pearson 2009. Microblogs - http://microblogs.gemzies.com/ 42

ONLINE : ONLINE 7 Things You Should Know About Microblogging – EDUCAUSE Resource Center (Http://www.educause.edu/r/library/pdf/ELI7051.pdf) Microblogs Ning Site: http://microblogs.ning.com/ Twitter for Academia -http://academhack.outsidethetext.com/home/2008/twitter-for-academia/ 43

Contact me : Contact me Mary Hricko, PhD Kent State University @ Geauga Email: mhricko@kent.edu on Twitter, Plurk, Hictu, Tumblr , and Jaiku: MaryHr http://webtas.ning.com 44