To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Academic Learner Support Using Twitter
by: Mary
Hunter, Charles Lawson, Laura Medeiros, Michelle
Mentzer
Description of course content
Twitter is ultimately a social media, micro-blog, web application. To its users, Twitter is a dynamic, spontaneous, and substantial tool for collaboration and relationship development. The potential for Twitter in an educational setting is just being realized; it is being used by a rising number of educational institutions. One of the many potential uses for education is in Learner Support - a necessity for all learning institutions in terms of retention and connection.
This project is aimed at teaching an approach to advisors, instructors, counselors, coaches, librarians, registrars, grad assistants, and program administrators that will enable them to use Twitter for a variety of Learner Support functions. Briefly, Learner Support with Twitter will help students connect with their university in a number of ways, from the beginning of their interest in a particular learning institution until after graduation.
Initially, advisors can communicate with students by giving them pre-entry requirements and data useful for college decision-making purposes. Upon entry, the program administrators can use Twitter for paperwork confirmation, deadlines, instructions, and links to program materials. During the student’s course of study, instructors and grad assistants can use Twitter for collaboration, information dissemination, and student connection. The potential of using Twitter as a feedback mechanism in the classroom is also a realistic possibility for many instructors. In addition, Learner Support can utilize Twitter for exam preparation and communication of test results. As a post-graduation tool, the alumni stay connected with their alma mater via Twitter, which makes them more likely to retain a connection with the institution.
Learner Support can be categorized by its different areas of support. Cognitive, Systemic, and Affective areas are common areas used and requested by learners. Of equal importance is the ability of the instructor to keep the student’s mind engaged, as it is for the student to understand the necessity of this course within the larger scope of learner experience, as well as being encouraged and invited to a community where each student is significant and part of the academic institution.
This module will present a pedagogical approach to establishing a Twitter account, understanding the Twitter capabilities of group networking, individual collaboration, and direct private messaging within the realm of academic institutions. Additional topics include using Twitter in the classroom, Twitter etiquette, and Twitter safety concerns. A secondary objective of this module would be for the students to develop an openness and appreciation of new ideas and flexibility in terms of learning new forms of communication and networking.
Sources of Information
Bradley, P. (2009). Whither Twitter? Community College Week, 21(19), 6-8.
Genevieve, A. (2010). Twitter 101: An introduction for students. Tech Academy. Retrieved from http://www.andreagenevieve.com/technology-meets-education/twitter-101-for-students-part-1-what-is-twitter on September 20, 2010.
Grosseck, G., & Holotescu, C. (2008, April). Can we use Twitter for Educational Activities? Paper presented at The 4th Annual Scientific Conference eLSE, Bucharest. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/2286799/Can-we-use-Twitter-for-educational-activities on September 17, 2010.
Pauschenwein, J., & Sfiri, A. (2010). Adult Learner's Motivation for the Use of Micro-Blogging During Online Training Courses. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 5(1), 22-25. doi:10.3991/ijet.v5i1.1041.
Rouhiainen, L. (2009). What is Twitter?. How to use Twitter. Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/what-is-twitter/id315288789 on September 20, 2010.
Initial idea of course structure
Title: To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Academic Learner Support Using Twitter
Length: 6-8 hours
Knowledge Requirement: Students should understand basic computer and Internet usage
Goals of Learning Module:
Getting set up with and understanding Twitter
Educational uses of twitter
Twitter is ultimately a social media, micro-blog, web application. To its users, Twitter is a dynamic, spontaneous, and substantial tool for collaboration and relationship development. The potential for Twitter in an educational setting is just being realized; it is being used by a rising number of educational institutions. One of the many potential uses for education is in Learner Support - a necessity for all learning institutions in terms of retention and connection.
This project is aimed at teaching an approach to advisors, instructors, counselors, coaches, librarians, registrars, grad assistants, and program administrators that will enable them to use Twitter for a variety of Learner Support functions. Briefly, Learner Support with Twitter will help students connect with their university in a number of ways, from the beginning of their interest in a particular learning institution until after graduation.
Initially, advisors can communicate with students by giving them pre-entry requirements and data useful for college decision-making purposes. Upon entry, the program administrators can use Twitter for paperwork confirmation, deadlines, instructions, and links to program materials. During the student’s course of study, instructors and grad assistants can use Twitter for collaboration, information dissemination, and student connection. The potential of using Twitter as a feedback mechanism in the classroom is also a realistic possibility for many instructors. In addition, Learner Support can utilize Twitter for exam preparation and communication of test results. As a post-graduation tool, the alumni stay connected with their alma mater via Twitter, which makes them more likely to retain a connection with the institution.
Learner Support can be categorized by its different areas of support. Cognitive, Systemic, and Affective areas are common areas used and requested by learners. Of equal importance is the ability of the instructor to keep the student’s mind engaged, as it is for the student to understand the necessity of this course within the larger scope of learner experience, as well as being encouraged and invited to a community where each student is significant and part of the academic institution.
This module will present a pedagogical approach to establishing a Twitter account, understanding the Twitter capabilities of group networking, individual collaboration, and direct private messaging within the realm of academic institutions. Additional topics include using Twitter in the classroom, Twitter etiquette, and Twitter safety concerns. A secondary objective of this module would be for the students to develop an openness and appreciation of new ideas and flexibility in terms of learning new forms of communication and networking.
Sources of Information
Bradley, P. (2009). Whither Twitter? Community College Week, 21(19), 6-8.
Genevieve, A. (2010). Twitter 101: An introduction for students. Tech Academy. Retrieved from http://www.andreagenevieve.com/technology-meets-education/twitter-101-for-students-part-1-what-is-twitter on September 20, 2010.
Grosseck, G., & Holotescu, C. (2008, April). Can we use Twitter for Educational Activities? Paper presented at The 4th Annual Scientific Conference eLSE, Bucharest. Retrieved from http://www.scribd.com/doc/2286799/Can-we-use-Twitter-for-educational-activities on September 17, 2010.
Pauschenwein, J., & Sfiri, A. (2010). Adult Learner's Motivation for the Use of Micro-Blogging During Online Training Courses. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 5(1), 22-25. doi:10.3991/ijet.v5i1.1041.
Rouhiainen, L. (2009). What is Twitter?. How to use Twitter. Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/what-is-twitter/id315288789 on September 20, 2010.
Initial idea of course structure
Title: To Tweet or Not to Tweet: Academic Learner Support Using Twitter
Length: 6-8 hours
Knowledge Requirement: Students should understand basic computer and Internet usage
Goals of Learning Module:
Getting set up with and understanding Twitter
- Safe tweeting
- Third party Twitter applications
- Twitter glossary
Educational uses of twitter
- Learner support
- Examples and activities