Tweet Across America

Since I started using Twitter, I've realized that it could be a powerful educational tool (and it was even featured on ABC as such). So, to add to the chatter, I would like to propose an idea and invite discussion.

My idea is to help organize and facilitate students and teachers in meshing together with technology to create a more effective school community. Right now, I believe there is a division of these three elements - they are separate and, most certainly, not equal. In most ways, even when we say we aren't, us teachers are utilizing a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. We have the power in the classroom and we try to use it, usually with the argument that we’re teaching them solid life skills, respect for their elders, etc.

Students thusly feel a separation between their teacher and, in most situations, technology is stripped from students the moment they walk into their school. This lack of technology also inhibits the teacher from doing a better job of customizing education and always using collaborative approaches. When the three do interact effectively, the result is a transfer of knowledge, reflection on said knowledge, and the ability to assess what was taught -- it also helps create a better school community because students and teachers are able to connect with one another on a level playing field and they will feel as though they are logging history, not just filling their heads with facts.

So, I propose "Tweet Across America." Imagine a classroom where all students could jot notes about content, react to content, and discuss content while a lesson (even a traditional lecture) is going on. They could do this through Twitter, or a tool like it, in the classroom. I don't think this is something that should be used 100% of the time, but I certainly think it would be a great method for collecting student thoughts, reactions, and discussion. It also allows the teacher to search those Tweets, and pull student questions, reactions, and data. Teachers could see where information was misconstrued, was confusing, or perhaps too difficult (especially if a visual organization of the information could be created - see: scalability).

I would love to begin this experiment by having a "Twitter Day" at a few schools. It would involve having a sponsor that could provide computers or mobile devices that a select group of students could use to post Tweets throughout the day. The school would have four or five different activities in the building that students could attend and Twitter about. This might include a few speakers that are notable - authors, musicians, etc. - and it would also include Twittering in traditional classes.

We could essentially make this a month-long (or so) process and experience for schools:

• Select students and appropriate activities.
• Coordinate and schedule the event.
• Hold the "Twitter Day."
• Provide facilitated, ongoing discussion about the benefits and opportunities of an activity such as this.
• Work with the school community to use the data, reactions, and conversation they had through Twitter to change curriculum/schedules, improve pedagogy, and share the events with other students.

The potential to scale this activity or use Twitter in the world of education is huge. Individual classes at universities could be logged and a historical collection of the Tweets could be directly linked with students, teachers, and syllabi. It starts to take on an intra-educational social network and it also allows students and teachers to broadcast outside of their classrooms - something that many school many communities lack.

I have started a basic phpBB forum for discussion - hope to see you there! More thoughts throughout the week.

P.S. Sorry that I don't have a comment feature yet... please email me or use the contact form if you have anything to say (include your name, an alias, or just anonymous if you don't want to be identified). I will post ALL comments - I promise!.