Last semester, my team teachers started twittering our students/parents. My team teacher, Mrs. F, and I are trying to move forward in incorporating technology in to the classroom. We wanted a way to communicate with our students outside of the classroom. Mrs. F had the idea of using Twitter. She made a Twitter account and had students follow her tweets. Then our other team teacher and I set up our Twitter accounts and now we are all tweeting with our students. We keep our students/parents informed of upcoming tests, assignments, events, deadlines, websites, study links and more. This has increased the number of students that turn in homework, study and and has helped parents stay in touch with what their child is doing at school.
Using twitter is just one small step we took to move forward. I know we have so much more to learn. Mrs. F is using wiki pages, Podcasts and videocasts and I will hopefully be up to date with her by the end of this semester. I would like for the educators in my system to have a better way to share ideas they have on technology and the web use in the classroom. I think sharing ideas can have a great impact on changing education. I want my school to take steps in moving forward with web tools in education because I feel like many students are being lost with traditional teaching styles.
Yea! A use of Twitter in the classroom! I couldn't wait to hear of one after seeing the chapter in our book about Social Networks. Mrs. F seems like an awesome mentor/co-technology buff to be able to collaborate with. I look forward to reading more of your uses in the classroom and examples from Mrs. F and, possibly, observing some of these first hand since I am not currently in a classroom myself.
ReplyDeleteVery Cool! Twitter in the classroom! We use twitter when we go to Savannah, so parents can follow what we are doing. I would love to get something like what you are doing with twitter in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a great way to reach students on there level!
Most of the students have a social/web linked cell phone where they can post what they're thinking of at some point in time for their peers to see. Through my school linked Facebook page, I'm glad when I see students making positive comments about my class. Not to sounds egotistical, but it shows how my instruction is effective enough to spark conversation.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say teachers need to stop complaining and looking to problems. I think that the hardest thing is trying to learning a technology that is forever changing. As soon as some teachers learn one new form of technology as updated or newer version is being releases. Technology is constantly updating and the students are staying with it. As teachers we need to try as hard as possible to stay up-to-date on the technology because it is playing a major role in how our students are learning.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I too im looiking forward to learning more about wikis and podcasts. I am also looking forward to learning more about the Voice Thread program as well.