Journal 8: Have you Tweated Today?, NETS V

Fingal, D. (2009). Have you tweeted today? Learning and Leading with Technology, 37(2). Retrieved on October 20, 2009 from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=September_October_No_2_3&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4381&ContentID=24192&DirectListComboInd=D

I found this article to be extremely interesting. This article focuses on the benefits of using Twitter rather than the negatives that are usually associated with it. Fingal makes the argument that while many people capitalize on the seemingly uselessness of Twitter there are actually benefits to using it. She makes that point that Twitter offers constant collaboration as well as the benefit receiving instant feedback. Furthermore, Twitter can be used for educational purposes such as following educational experts and learning from their links and comments. However, Ridley also has a valid point. Americans in particular seem to be preoccupied with our privacy, so it does seem rather hypocritical that we would be willing to post our every move and thought on the Internet for anyone and everyone see. Furthermore, there is a lot of useless talk on Twitter, that is not important in the general scheme of world let alone the field of education. I believe that like most online tools there are different ways of using them. Twitter can be used in a way that supports learning and education and it can also be used for entertainment purposes only.

Does Twitter bring more harm than good?

I think that most people believe that Twitter is not necessarily important in the field of education. However, I believe that Twitter is also misunderstood by many people. While Twitter has the ability to post useless comments on the Internet it also had the ability to be used productively in the educational setting. Students can collaborate instantly as well as use it as a resource to seek help and opinions from their classmates.

Why is it important for teachers to stay up to date with technology including social networking sites such as Twitter?

It is important for teachers to be on the same page with their students. In order for teachers to connect and really bond with their students they need to be familiar with the technology that the students are using regardless of how useless it may seem.

NPR Morning Edition, “Keep Your Tweets to Yourself” : www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104033836