the encouragement lounge: Twitter and teaching and learning

Friday, July 30, 2010

Twitter and teaching and learning

Hi All,

Well, one of my former students and a longtime friend finally convinced me to get on twitter.

I don't think I'll become a frequent flier on there, but am adding it to my social media toolbox.

Anyway, I'm curious -- have you used twitter at all in your teaching or learning? Has it impacted your life as a student or professor? I'm looking for ideas!

Be well!

Harriet

1 comment:

steelepierceAugust 1, 2010 at 5:21 PM
Hello Harriet!

I've been on Twitter for a little over a year and it's my go-to social media source for professional learning.

Last March, I wrote a blog post (audience: K-12 educators) that I titled "Consider Twitter." I began this way: "If you think Twitter is only about celebrities, chitchat, gossip, and idle talk, read on. If you'd like a way to connect with educators from around the world who share your interests, questions, subject area, problems, and perspectives, consider Twitter."

You'll find the rest of the post at my department's blog, TLC: Teaching. Learning. Community. http://bit.ly/9L28UM

Twitter isn't everyone's cup of tea. But I invite you to "lurk and learn" there on occasion and see what you think. You'll find me @steelepierce

Best wishes, M.E.
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Working adult students, on my mind...

I hope this blog will be helpful to friends and others involved in a variety of endeavors. However, I created the blog with students in mind and continue to develop it with that specific group as my focus.

I believe that with the increase in evening, weekend, and low-residency programs, students are working more and more in isolation. If we were all full-time students on campus, we would have the informal support that comes with being able to go down the hall and talk with a colleague, etc. But instead, we are working late nights and weekends at home in front of the laptop.

With that in mind, I hope the encouragement lounge provides brief moments of respite and energizing connection. This does not at all replace valuable face-to-face contact. Many aspects of the academic journey can only be addressed via in-depth conversations with colleagues and teachers. And I would always rather sit down and talk with someone than to communicate online. Nonetheless, my aim is to give you one more channel for quick hits of support.