While many of my posts here have been related to research or products, I wanted to take a few minutes to share my own experience of using twitter in my classes. At the start of this school year, I was determined to find a way to interact with my students outside of the classroom. I debated whether or not to try a facebook group or create individual class blogs. I already blog with my AP Psych class, but was not using it the best way I could. I wasn't sure what route to take.... but I knew I wanted to do something. I had been thinking about trying to use Twitter for awhile, but it wasn't until I got hooked on a weekly teacher chat (using #psychat) that I was convinced that Twitter could work. (If anyone is interested in how this works I'm happy to share my experience).
Just before we left for Easter break, I created a separate Twitter account (I didn't want my students to follow my personal account) @WrenPsych. I invited the girls to follow me and told them not to worry because I would not follow them back (privacy concerns are high, among all of us). Several of the girls followed me immediately and others continue to do so daily. I created my list of people that I follow, filled with Psychology organizations, News groups, and current psychologists. I began by Retweeting (essentially "forwarding" a tweet) to the girls on relevant topics to our course. I wished the juniors a "great prom" and everyone a "Happy Easter." I immediately felt more connected to the students, knowing they'd come across my well wishes at some point.
After break, I began engaging them in twitter for homework assignments*. For example, in CP Psych, we were covering Intelligence. I asked the girls to complete some measures of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences and to tweet me their top 3 with a quick line about whether or not they agreed. Since Twitter limits tweets to 140 characters or less, it truly is a challenge to compress your thoughts to convey your message. In AP Psych, we recently completed the unit on States of Consciousness, with emphasis on the effects of drugs. After a group assignment, the girls were assigned to find articles regarding treatment options for drug addicts. Again, they were encouraged to tweet to the class. In both instances, I used a hashtag #IHAPsych or #APsychIHA so that other girls could see the conversations even if they were not "following" each other.
(*Note: I am not requiring that students use twitter. I encourage those who are using it to try this method. I provided a place on our IHA Message board for those who do not wish to use the program).
So far, the only problem I have encountered is that many of our girls have "protected tweets" which means that if I do not follow them, I cannot see their tweets. In order to earn the credit for completing the HW, I asked them to simply copy/paste and email me "proof" of their tweet. This is certainly something I'll have to consider for next year....perhaps by encouraging them to make an IHA specific account as well.
Oh, and I spammed everyone last week .....so that was unfortunate. But I fixed that and we're back on track!
In spite of these few hiccups, I have to say that both the girls and I are more motivated to keep learning at the end of a long school year. Some girls have started tweeting HW or general questions to me... noting that they'd be more likely to check twitter than their email. I'm finding more and more relevant articles to share and questions to pose before classes. All in all I am really enjoying using Twitter as a part of my class and I'd encourage any of you brave souls to consider it as well.
If anyone else is using it, feel free to share your experience!
