Artistic Thinking: Read & React Week 4

Read:

Chapter 5: Social Networking by Brooks-Young

            In this chapter, Brooks-Young discuss social networking and if it has a place as an educational tool. Pointing out that many young educators utilize social networking and “see no reason to abandon this practice” (Changing Viewpoints section, para. 1). The authors present four elements to create a successful social network, that must include: (1) Purpose, (2) Focus, (3) Collaboration, and (4) Moderated. Brooks-Young again reminds educators to teach “netiquette” and to create clear rules for online interactions.

Chapter 5-6, 8-9: VoIP, Twitter, Social Networking, Voice Thread by Digital Diet

Chapter 5

In this chapter, the authors discuss using Skype for communication. They offer suggestions for the classroom that include having guest speakers and for students to participate in classes when they may be unable to physically make it to class.

Chapter 6

            This chapter is about using Twitter for microblogging. For classroom use, the authors suggest having students set up new accounts specifically for classroom use to separate their school and social lives and to protect their privacy. The authors suggest using Twitter as an online, instant discussion tool.

Chapter 8

            In this chapter, the authors discuss using Facebook for collaboration and networking. They offer suggestions for classrooms that include creating groups for collaboration and sharing.

Chapter 9

            This chapter is about using Voice Thread. The authors recommend using it in the classroom for student presentations and exam preparation.

React:

            I ‘m so glad to have good books with ideas of how to think about using these technologies in the classroom! I have never been sure how to utilize Facebook in a classroom setting. It seems like all we hear about with Facebook is how teachers have to “lock down” their accounts and cyber bullying runs rampant. The Brooks-Young book brings some common sense strategies to utilizing these technologies, such as teaching appropriate online behavior.  Twitter is new terrain for me this week as I’ve never been sure how to use it in my personal life, much less in teaching! However, a few weeks ago there was an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” in which one of the doctors was using Twitter during operations to “teach” anyone who was following her tweets. It opened up her operating room to past, present, and future students. Although I’m still not a huge fan of Twitter, I am very interested in past AV students being able to connect with current AV students, so I’ve set up an AV Courses at MU page on Facebook to try.

References:

Brooks-Young, S. (2010). Teaching with the tools kids really use. (Kindle Edition). Available from http://www.amazon.com/Teaching-Tools-Kids-Really-ebook/dp/B00486THRE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1296870495&sr=8-2

Churches, A., Crockett, L., & Jukes, J. (2010). The Digital Diet: Today’s digital tools in small bytes. Canada: 21^st Century Fluency Project.