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Image by WORDLE. TEACHING with MICROBLOGGING TOOLS. COMPARING MICROBLOGS. Status check. Last count: over 139 Micro-blogging sites International micro-blogging applications increasing Competition keeps adding features to enhance the applications. EDMODO. http://www.edmodo.com/
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Image by WORDLE TEACHING with MICROBLOGGING TOOLS
Status check • Last count: over 139 Micro-blogging sites • International micro-blogging applications increasing • Competition keeps adding features to enhance the applications
EDMODO • http://www.edmodo.com/ • many “classroom” type features • enables users to create groups and share files, links, embedded videos and images along with alerts, assignments and events • SMS text; mobile phone app • several resources for teaching tips
EDMODO • new service; not many users = Pownce? • limited integration due to privacy features • limited access to public community (external rather than internal) • does not work well with other MBs • time consuming front end set up
JAIKU • http://www.jaiku.com/ • posts limited to 100 characters • “channels “allow you to separate conversation streams and thread comments • lets you add RSS feeds from your blog or photo site ; nice features for uploading images • each post has its own page for comments
JAIKU • limited “IM” restricted to Google (no AIM, Yahoo) • postings are either public or private • looks like Twitter, acts like twitter, but it is more blog-like in terms if design • streaming content is not as timely if there are no responses to postings • mobile phone features are problematic
PLURK • http://www.plurk.com • social journaling with a visual timeline (140 characters) • Can create “cliques” to send information to specific groups and manage audiences • Allows messaging; sharing of images and videos • Allows for keyword searching to locate • Nice built-in features for posting
PLURK • Karma- the more one uses Plurk, the more features one gains access to use • Cannot SMS to the timeline • User base is limited which can be problematic for finding resources; lots of vendors • limited IM messaging
TUMBLR • http://www.tumblr.com/ • more like a mini-blog than a micro-blog • photos, video support, and feeds, entries get own pages; nice interface • smart bookmarklets let you share web pages • online scrapbooking
TUMBLR • no page dedicated to public posts • no ability to set up private postings; all is public • learning curve issues • must monitor feedback on each page • Set-up is longer than most tools
TWITTER • http://twitter.com/ • posts are 140 characters…but • public and private posting is possible • several useful add-ons enhance tool use • hashtags and search tools • sustainability
TWITTER • no way to sort, search through own postings • “help” desk poorly constructed • down time from too many users • interface features changes often • Needs to improve features for data retrieval and posting
Other interesting MBs • Hictu – http://www.hictu.com • Video MB- many features of MB • Skype+MB+YouTube • Squeelr -http://www.squeelr.com • No account- just post; iphone only, but geolocation • Blip.fm – http://www.blipfm.com • music MB
FEATURES to consider • tool integration and mashup capabilities • ease of use • support systems • privacy and security functions • messaging accessibility (SMS text) • levels of control
Announcements • Use MBs to post information regarding specific class activities, assignments, and events • Use MBs to share information among staff members in different district buildings • Use tool for targeted updates to parents, students, athletes, alumni • Use tool to post school board minutes; competition results
academic support • Use MBs for study groups, tutoring, library support, • Use MBs for homework hotline and assistance • Use MBs for information FAQs on school policies, procedures, and safety information for students and parents • Use MBs for students who need targeted support (students “at risk”, students who are absent)
outreach • Use MBS to inform the community of events at the school; sporting events, theatre productions • Use MBS to interact with community partners (local libraries, museums, corporate partners) to improve instructional experiences • Use MBs to connect to local social service agencies that support students and parents • Use MBs for fundraising and scholarships
Construct Knowledgeexpress, explore, and generate ideas • enhance class discussions with postings • digital storytelling; “twittories” • Platform for meta-cognition (clear-concise-thinking) activities • enhance cross-cultural experiences • fieldwork notebooks • medium for brainstorming
The 3 C’scommunication, collaboration, creating • MBs provide both synchronous and asynchronous communication exchange of content • accessible medium for collaborative global classroom projects • 140 word digital formative assessments • instant feedback for lectures
Social Literacy • MBs can teach information literacy skills • MBs can provide access to instant news coverage of events as they unfold – election night • MBs teach students appropriate ways to converse online • MBs prompt students to engage in user content creation and to evaluate user generated content in an immediate manner
Solve problems • course centric streams for specific class topics • case study analysis ; trend analysis • collaborative research projects through project-based channels • enables opportunities for students to answer queries within brief timeline • post to the politician, community leader
Build Citizenship • learn a language; language features in some MBs • follow global trending topics (Haiti) • new version of pen pals • MBs can connect students to social service agencies to address community concerns • MBs cultivate cultural exchanges on a wide range of current event topics; issues; debates
Use technology • Promotes digital user content creation • teaches technology integration through the use of mobile phone, the web, and other apps • teaches students about parameters for “participant web technologies • teaches students how to use medium for data collection and online polling • teaches students about social media
FOSTER TEACHING • Content area teachers can share links, files, and other materials to build curricular resources • MBs can serve as mentoring tools for entry level teachers • MBs can help student teachers, cooperating teachers and educational faculty work together • MBs can help educators collaborate and model social media literacy skills in the classroom
FOSTER LEARNING • MBs can facilitate on going “teacher chats” on topics of interest or discipline related issues • MBS can serve as personal learning networks (PLNs) connecting teachers to a more global community of educators • MBs can connect educators to academic conferences, educational organizations, and experts in the field
FOSTER RESEARCH • MBs make it easy to obtain up to date literature review resources • MBs provide access to unpublished resources – works in progress • MBs can help modify research topics and inquiries • MBs help educators find others who are involved in similar projects; no more working in isolation
QUESTIONS • How do I convince the administration that I can teach with these tools? • What type of controls will I have in place to ensure privacy and security? • How do you assess the use of MBs for learning? • What happens to the content? • How should I integrate micro-blogging into my teaching?
RECOMMENDATIONS • select the tool that best fits your purpose • determine parameters for classroom use of the toll to control “noise” levels • Ensure that use of the tool is linked to meaningful activities that reflect learning objectives • know when not to use the tool • Integrate micro-blogging with other proven tools
RECOMMENDATIONS • Find the tool that best fits your teaching style; the trendy tool may not be the one • Use a combination of microblogs • Create mashups that simplify, not complicate your life • weed out accounts that do not integrate with other web tools
Books and articles • McFedries, P. Twitter. Tips, Tricks, and Tweets. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing 2009. • Morris, T. All a Twitter. Indianapolis, IN: Pearson 2009. • Microblogs - http://microblogs.gemzies.com/
ONLINE • 7 Things You Should Know About Microblogging – EDUCAUSE Resource Center (Http://www.educause.edu/r/library/pdf/ELI7051.pdf) • Microblogs Ning Site: http://microblogs.ning.com/ • Twitter for Academia -http://academhack.outsidethetext.com/home/2008/twitter-for-academia/
Contact me • Mary Hricko, PhD • Kent State University @ Geauga • Email: mhricko@kent.edu • on Twitter, Plurk, Hictu, Tumblr , and Jaiku: MaryHr • http://webtas.ning.com