Teachers work in the solitude of their classrooms, interrupted with occasional chances to talk with other teachers during the day. Twitter is an online technological tool which can break down the rigid classroom schedule barriers and allow teachers to collaborate. Twitter has evolved into something beyond a trendy technology tool, avoiding the worry many teachers have about getting caught in a new flash-in-the-pan idea.
Twitter provides a quick method for keeping in touch with other teachers and a way to quickly share information or resources related to current curriculum issues. Twitter also provides a quick communication tool for collaboration efforts and group communication between students working on a common project.
Twitter provides many opportunities in educational settings for collaboration between teachers and students. This free service allows a teacher, always time-constrained, to contact others using 140 characters or less. This is often referred to as micro-blogging. These opportunities are discussed in the following advantages of Twitter in education.
Advantages of Twitter in Education
The following are five advantages for using Twitter in the classroom:
Collaborating with Other Teachers
Teachers often need suggestions for curriculum and management issues, which working in the isolation of their classrooms becomes difficult at best. Twitter removes this isolation, as teachers are able to send short messages to mentors or other teachers asking for suggestions.
Teachers can also share links to resources with other teachers in the same content area within their school or other schools. This is helpful in finding out if their colleagues have used these resources and their potential impact in helping students understand concepts, avoiding the dreaded reinventing of the wheel. One example is earthquake science projects shared in a Twitter message.
Self Reflection about Teaching
The common adage that “good teaching is a result of reflective teaching” is supported by sharing experiences with other teachers. Teachers using Twitter can share both good and bad experiences with their colleagues, which cause other teachers to stop and reflect on their practice prior to posting their self reflection.
This self reflection allows other teachers to reflect on their teaching practice as they view other teachers’ classroom experiences. Again, Twitter breaks down the isolation barrier as teachers work together to become better practitioners.
Remaining Current in Latest Education Trends
A teacher’s time is valuable and stretched by all the administrative tasks, lesson planning, grading papers, and other necessary consumers of time. This often makes it difficult for teachers to keep up with the latest trends, news, and happenings in education. All too often information flows into a teacher’s e-mail box or other online sources in big chunks, which requires time to read through to find the important tidbits.
Twitter alleviates sifting through big chunks of information by providing teachers with the opportunity to view snippets, 140 characters or less at a time. Important information is clear and concise, allowing teachers to stop for bigger bite of information on education trends as relevance and time permits. One example is discovering the educational advantages of Google Docs for teachers and students.
Building Reliable Networks of Teachers
This advantage of Twitter allows teachers to follow and be followed by their own cohort of trusted teachers and other educational professionals. The ability to communicate with a trusted group is a nice feature, because teachers know the advice, information, and news they receive is relevant to their teaching. Also, this reliable network assures teachers they will only receive crucial and critical feedback, along with the ability to provide the same.
Professional Development and Continuing Education
Twitter provides a tool for teachers to participate in professional development activities. Today most professional conferences provide opportunities for teachers to participate in continuing education efforts in real-time. Twitter makes it easier to for teachers to complete continuing education and professional development requirements without the expense of traveling to distant cities.
Making Connections about Twitter in Education
Although there is no data indicating if Twitter helps teacher retention, one of the common complaints teachers give for leaving the education field is – isolation. Twitter, along with other Web 2.0 tools, breaks down or at least lowers the isolation walls. Communicating with colleagues is critical in any career and essential in teaching.
David R. Wetzel - Dr. David Wetzel's experience includes more than 25 years in continuing, adult, and teacher education.
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