#learnwme chat: Twitter in the Classroom -Nov. 26, 2012

Increasingly, there have been cases in the media reporting and debating on the use of Twitter (and other digital tools) in the classroom. Some instructors and facilitators embrace it, others ban it.

Tonight's #learnwme chat will focus on the use of Twitter in the classroom, workshop and training session. We'll discuss best practices, what to avoid and what some creative uses could be. Check my previous post on the latter.

Your input and ideas will be most welcome and invaluable. Please join us at 8pm EST, Monday November 26, 2012 and Learn with Me!

Update: Last night's chat was great! Good tips and ideas to be found in the Storify transcript. Check it out and thanks for reading!

Student Snitching: No Laptops During Class

A few weeks ago, the Toronto Star published an article about Professor Henry Kim at York University's Schulich School of Business. The focus of the article was on Kim's approach to students using laptops while in his classes. To ensure 'proper' use of their laptops, Kim has created two pledges the students must agree to:
1 - No laptop use for anything other than class work.
2 - Spy on their classmates' screens and report truthfully on what they see.

Now, I'm not sure what your first reaction is to reading those two pledges, but mine wasn't positive. (Before I go further, I'd like to point out that the comments posted by readers are quite an interesting read, too.) My first thought was, 'He doesn't get it'. Then I read on to see what his reasoning would be for his classroom rules:

By recruiting this new breed of screen snitches, Kim hopes to make digital distraction so socially awkward that students will close forbidden windows — Facebook, email, Sikh field hockey matches — and plug into class.

So again I react, "Why is Facebook 'forbidden'"? I wonder what the reasons behind students tuning out and watching sports matches are?  Does Prof Kim need to focus more on what he's doing -or not doing- rather than what his students are doing, or should be doing?

Kicking students out of your classroom for looking at something deemed 'improper' on their laptop screen seems to me counter-productive. I consider that Kim could instead be more engaging himself. Maybe he could use some creativity and have the students actively use Facebook, email, Twitter and Pinterest to expand their learning experience with digital tools they've come to love.

Could there be one class online, one class offline? Would it work better if the first 45 minutes of the class occur with laptops closed and students knowing that they can open and use laptops productively for the following 60 minutes of class time? I'm thinking there has to be better solutions than spying, snitching and expulsion from the lecture hall.

Prof Kim rightly asserts:

There’s not an ounce of scientific evidence that students can actually multi-task and learn.

I personally do not feel, however, that the issue here is of multi-tasking and whether it inhibits learning or not.  I believe we cannot fight the digital wave that is crashing down upon us daily nor do it in a way that is not going to turn many away from learning. There are ways to integrate digital technology into classrooms successfully, so let's find those ways, create new ones and keep the learners in their seats -engaged, excited and passionate. If we don't, then more comments like 'steboy' will be made:

Saying we should sit straight and pay attention but not take the care to find out if we're going to want to be there is double talk. This issue seems personal to you, are you a bad teacher? Because I pay attention to the good ones.

Let me know your take on this article and Prof Kim's approach in the comments below.

 

#learnwme chat - Nov. 19, 2012 - The Backchannel

Tonight, November 19, 2012, my Learn with Me chat will focus on the subject of backchannel communication via Twitter. At most events and conferences these days, attendees are tweeting what is taking place, being said and learned and this is known as backchannel communication. For more information about this growing use of Twitter, check my earlier post here.

Along with participants' questions and input, we'll be focusing on the following tonight:

1. What content is best suited for the backchannel via Twitter? 
2. How can the use of the backchannel aid Learning and Development? How can it hinder it?  
3. What are some best practices that can be applied to make the most of backchannel learning opportunities? 

Use the hashtag: #learnwme, and I recommend using TweetChat.com to make participating in the chat easier and smoother. It starts at 8pm EST every Monday. Come learn, network and enjoy!

Update: Here's the Storify link that holds the partial transcript from this week's chat. Thanks for reading! 

Twitter Value: Part 3 - Connecting, Meeting, Sharing

Writing 'Part 3' seems a bit insufficient in that I really feel I could have a 10-part series of posts on the value Twitter brings, but this blog is about more than just one Social Media platform. So, I'll focus on the value Twitter has brought me in terms of the connections I've made, the people I've met and the sharing that has taken place.

Connections have been many, vast and surprising. I have connected with Aliza Sherman, as mentioned previously, and we have collaborated on MightyBell compiling apps that we feel are must-haves. She has been an amazing resource person for me as well and helpful when I have questions.

I have connected with many through the various Twitter chats I particpate in - #HBRChat, #blogchat, #lrnchat, #smmanners, and #mediachat among others. I've expanded my LinkedIn connections with these people as well and found support, encouragement and a welcome openness.

Meeting people face to face has happened, though many detractors of Twitter think it only creates 'virtual' relationships. At the recent #CSTD2012 conference, I organized tweetups for attendees who had either connected on Twitter pre-conference and/or during. It was great to be able to meet in person, continue the conversations already started and to meet new people. By experience, I can say without a doubt that the one improvement of this year's conference over last year's for me was the fact that Twitter helped me meet many more people. These new connections are already leading to collaboration opportunities and mutually shared learning.

What has been shared with me and what I have shared back has been simply mind-blowing for me, no exaggeration. During Twitter chats I have been tutored and guided through questions I've had which have resulted in amazing learning opportunities. As one fellow chat participant expressed, it's like having your own free college course!

Most recently, the Chief Evangelist, Oliver Starr, of PearlTrees, gave me an amazing run-through of the limitless capabilities and exciting possibilities of PearlTrees via Skype. I was very impressed by the offer and chance to learn that way, and it all came about by some brief conversations on Twitter. I love how sharing ideas and information between tweeters can open up so many doors.

I would really love to hear how Twitter has helped you connect, meet others and share. Please leave a comment below and if you are new to Twitter and are not sure how to make these amazing opportunities happen yet, feel free to let me know and I would love to guide you. 

Twitter Value: Part 2 - Professional Development

I am finding there is certainly no shortage of great things to write about Twitter and its many uses. This post will focus on what I think it brings to the table for professionals. I will be quoting from my most recent #learnwme chat during which we discussed this topic and more. 

My Twitter experience has provided me with so much learning that I feel like I've been through various college courses without having to pay! I've learned about Project Management from @PMHut, Instructional Design and elearning from Connie Malamed, the @elearningcoach, and Digital Media and Marketing from the Digital Marketer, @alizasherman. 

Most recently, I participated in a session of #blogchat, and was amazed and grateful at how helpful the participants on the chat were in helping me learn about archiving, writing and a host of tips to make my blog experience more efficient and enjoyable. Here are a few excerpts from that night:

During my last #learnwme chat, many other options were shared and agreed on, such as checking industry trends and improving customer service: 

As well as the back channel communication that takes place at conferences and also keeping the momentum going afterward via Twitter: 

Of course, networking, sharing and following those in your industry that you admire or want to learn from are valuable uses professionally for Twitter as well: 

Honestly, I believe the possibilities that exist when you use Twitter for professional development and opportunities are basically limitless. As I pointed out during our most recent chat, make sure that your participation with others on Twitter is always a two-way street: Don't just give, and don't just receive. The exceptional value I've experienced from using Twitter thus far has come about because I have helped others just as much as they have helped me. Show a willingness to be helpful to others and you'd be amazed at how helpful the Twitter community is back in return. 

Here's a great link from WikiHow that I shared with the #learnwme chat partcipants that provides some more advice on using Twitter as a Professional. 

The most common advice I give people is to just jump in and get your feet wet. That's what worked for me. The more I used Twitter, the more I recognized its value and the more value I received. Learning, networking, collaborating, sharing, teaching - it's all there and in great abundance. So, what are you waiting for? 

#learnwme Chat: Nov. 12,2012

This Monday, November 12,2012, my Learn with Me Twitter Chat will focus on the value of using Twitter in our professional lives even if your organization blocks usage and access. I believe there are great benefits and if you're not seeing nor understanding what those might be yet, then join in the conversation.

This week's focus:
1) How you can still use and benefit from Twitter in a job that won't allow employee access.

2) Where the value is found on Twitter and how you can take advantage of it.

3) Some tips on how to manage your usage so you don't feel overwhelmed.

Use the hashtag: #learnwme, and I recommend using TweetChat.com to make participating in the chat easier and smoother. It starts at 8pm EST every Monday. Come learn, network and enjoy!

LinkedIn: #learnwme Chat - November 5, 2012

The partial transcript for my Learn with Me chat that just happened tonight is published and ready to browse. It includes some useful links and tips to improve your LinkedIn profile. Our discussion tonight provided great advice between participants as well, so I'm sure you'll find this Storify link useful.

Please take advantage of the great info linked here and let me know below in the comments if you have any other LinkedIn questions. Thank you to all of you who participated and see you next Monday at 8pm EST!