So true that I only use twitter IN class.
At the symposium, I was gonna post my thoughts/notes in Plurk but soon realized there would be no comments (then, kinda no meaning) after my first two postings. So, wisely, I switched to twitter and tweeted the following stuff. <--One evidence to show that I value community more than design.
- Is hands-on or interactive activity the key to students' encouragement? #ci597
Afterwards: Often teachers are encouraged to have a more interactive teaching so their students would be more willing to participate. I am for it. However (<--for me, this is the most powerful word in English), we and our students are more or less taught to manage learning in a more effective way. Unfortunately, to be effective in most cases means to gain higher score with the least possible efforts. Sadly, from my experiences, activities with more links to the success they need are more likely to engage students. If the evaluation of edcation remained, it would be hard for both teachers and students to think out of the box.
- I wondered whether it's avoidable since the resources of traditional literacy is running out..#ci597
I was surprised that I could focus on the presentation of Google Earth and meanwhile commented on other's posting for a different topic. I should actually think about allowing students to conduct multi-tasks?
- @msm26 innovation, indeed. But, I think there's room for creativity.
I was cut short in this reply since I heard something that triggered a thought about the Google Earth one.
- It has to be fun.........for the instructors as well. Technology or not. If you didn't enjoy it, no one else would! #tltsym #ci597
- @dboder Sadly, it's often the case. I know some teachers expect technology to take over their works in a click, but they don't like/trust it
- It's an idea to engage students by having a say in grading process. But I was trapped by the outcome(s) often...#tltsym #ci597
For more information about the presentation, go to this: http://symposium.tlt.psu.edu/conference/sessions/s1_googleearth
Hi Yu-Ting,
This is a very interesting post. I enjoyed it for many reasons: Your split attention between the session you were in and what was happening on the Twitter stream. Your keen insights. And your point on community.
Part of the power of the back channel is it's ability to help you split your attention. I've come to believe this is not a distraction but, rather a building upon. I can now participate in multiple 'happenings' simultaneously and, this is important, mash them together to create a new understanding of the world. What do you thin of that? Is that what you find?
I agree that implementing a new technology for the 'fun' factor or to do something that can be done easier, better with an older technology can be a lead to a less than desirable experience but, it is often a necessary first step. We are both in education. What would you add to C&I to help facilitate this process into something more meaningful? I struggle with this with what I do and would be very interested in your thoughts.
Finally, your insight into Twitter v. Plurk. By almost every opinion, Plurk is a better tool yet Twitter is more popular. Why do you think that is? I have my opinion and would be curious as to yours.
Regards,
Jeff