Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

5 Ways to Use Twitter in the Classroom

When I first heard about Twitter I couldn’t believe how ridiculous it sounded.  I laughed about the 140-character limit. I laughed harder when I heard it being coined as “Facebook status updates for people with short attention spans”. I simply ignored it.

Then one day, I cracked and signed up for an account. It seemed kind of pointless to be ‘tweeting’ if I didn’t have any followers. But then I started ‘following’ other people. And they weren’t all people. My dad would be so proud of me to know that I’m ‘following’ Matt Galloway, the host of Metro Morning on the CBC (@metromorning). But I also follow Bakerella (@bakerella). And more importantly, I’ve started following some key people in the Digital Literacy in Education world like @rmbyrne who’s blog www.freetech4teachers.com is a wealth of resources for all teachers.

And then something funny happened.

People started following me! 

And that was the beginning of the end.

Now, I use Twitter as a main source of information gathering. What’s happening in the news (@globeandmail)? What’s new in education (@edutopia)? What’s new in the web 2.0 enhanced classroom (@web2.0classroom)?

Not only is Twitter great for gathering information, but it’s an excellent tool for sharing information—to the world; to your colleagues; to students and parents. Most websites these days include a ‘share’ button—where you can share the page on Facebook and Twitter. 

All you have to do is click the blue button and the site is shared with all your followers!

Yes, folks, it is that easy.

After a few minutes of Twitter research, here’s a few suggestions on how you can use Twitter in the classroom:

1.    Tweet for Learning  a.k.a Assessment for Learning

Did your students understand your lesson today?  Are they engaged in the small group discussion? Have students ‘tweet’ their questions or comments during class or activity.

2.  Student/Parent Reminders

Let parents follow what you are up to. This can quickly spark a dinner table discussion. Engaging the parents will help engage the students.

3. Gather Real Time Data

What's the weather in Sydney, Australia right now? What is the response the the mass flooding in India? Get real-time feedback and data from all around the world.

4.  Connect with Classrooms Around the World

Find someone in another class, school or country who is interested in the same topic as you. Follow each other on Twitter and share information, ideas and resources.

5. Review Game/Activity

Use Twitter to post review questions that students can reply to. Make learning fun!

Two weeks ago, I asked you to take 10 minutes to check out a new technology to help update your lessons and keep you current.

This week, I'm going to ask you to create a Twitter account. And find 5 people to follow that you have shared interests with.

Then let the addiction begin!

@caseydaleman

References:
Unknown. (2011). The ultimate guide to using twitter in education. [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://edudemic.com/2011/09/twitter-in-education/

Proof of What Your Students Have Learned

A few years ago, the ‘flavour of the month’ involved using student portfolios as a way for students to demonstrate their learning over the course of the semester. In the last few weeks of the year, I would see teachers hauling boxes of students’ portfolios out to their car—only to drag the same box back into the school in the morning.

Is this you?

While some things have changed, others have not. While there is still a strong emphasis being put on assessment for learning, assessment as learning and assessment of learning, the need to collect PHYSICAL evidence from students is disappearing with the increased infusion of technology into teaching and learning.

Enter the Googlio.

Instead of asking your students to prepare a physical ‘pen-and-paper’ portfolio, why not have them build a website to demonstrate their learning? For those of you who teach courses in which the final 30% is allocated towards a Culminating Task, have your students build their own website to show all that they have learned over the course of the semester.

Here’s a quick overview of what a Googlio is:



Now, instead of being THAT teacher who drags the same stack of student portfolios back and forth to the car, be the teacher that marks a Googlio.

On the beach.

Here's a great place to start:
https://sites.google.com/site/googlioproject/home

How Current Are You?

I was speaking with a colleague the other day that had just finished helping their child with their homework.  The last question on the Social Studies worksheet was a matching question. On the left side of the page was the statement “Music is recorded on …..”. The only option on the right side of the page that was suitable was “Tape”. The child looked up in wonderment and asked “How can you make music on tape? It’s too sticky on one side!!”

The date on the bottom of the page?

September 1979.

That’s right. It was a 32 year old worksheet.



Now that the school year is well under way, it’s time to ask yourself….how current are your lessons? It is very easy to rely on notes, transparencies and worksheets that you have used successfully for the last 10 years, but with technology changing so quickly, shouldn’t your lessons?

There are a variety of sites that I have come across that provide great worksheets, videos, lessons and even Powerpoint® presentations that can be downloaded and modified to suit your needs.

So this week, take 10 min to explore one of these sites and update a lesson. Add a new example. Incorporate a new technology into the delivery. Try something new.

1.       Moviesheets.com

        This is a fantastic resource of teacher created worksheets for almost any movie you can think of. All subjects. All grade levels.

    2.       United Streaming (Discovery Education)

        A great website full of educational videos  supporting all subjects and grade levels. The best thing is that the videos can be downloaded to your computer. You can download the full video, or individual segments.

3.       Icon Archive

       A great source of traditional icons to incorporate into your handouts and presentations.

4.       Slideshare.net

        This site allows to you to upload PPT presentations and DOWNLOAD other people’s presentation. All you have to do is create a free account.

5.       Ten Ideas for Interactive Teaching

All Things New

New School Year...

New Students...

New Portables...

New Opportunities...

New Teachers...

            New Principal...

               New Technology...

In my mind, I celebrate New Year’s Day on the first day of school. It’s my new year. Time for resolutions;  time for new challenges. It’s much better than the traditional date (and warmer too). So as we enter this ‘new year’, what will you change?

5 Things to Try In September

1.  Polleverywhere.com

It’s free for educators! Use this site to create multiple choice or free-response answer questions for your class. Students can text or email their responses from their desk for immediate feedback!

2.  Moodle

Start a Moodle. Improve your Moodle. Delete old Moodles (hint: change the name of your Moodle to DELETE ME)

      

    3. Markbook Email

Collect student and parent email addresses in Markbook. Then you will be able to communicate with both parents and students—send mark updates; monthly classroom updates; test reminders etc.

       

    4. Google Calendar

A Google calendar is a much better way to manage class dates than the Moodle Calendar. It’s easier to use, can be embedded into your Moodle and the public link can be sent to parents/guardians.

     5. Powerpoint

Teaching a new course? This might be the year to switch off the overhead machine and make the transition to LCD and PPT. Never used PPT before? No worries….keep your eyes open for the TECH TUESDAY workshop on PPT!

As we tell our students on the first day: 

Don't be afraid! Try something new....and ask for help!!