Tool #2—Twitter (Cheryl Hallowell)

Tool #2—Twitter

Cheryl Hallowell

    

Twitter is a social media micro-blogging site where users can wax poetic to their heart’s content. Well, if it can be done in 140 characters or less that is. Teachers can use it in a variety of ways to communicate with students, parents, and the community. I set up a Twitter account for my class and sent home an announcement about it. So far #HilltopRoom19 has one follower—me! (I still leave messages!)

Features:

·      Easy to use

·      Free!

·      Students, teachers, families, and others can leave updates and messages.

·      Pictures and videos can be uploaded as well as links to other sites.

Classroom Application:

·      Teachers could use it in the classroom, but with early elementary, this might be difficult or impractical. 

Ranking:

·      Safety—4 The teacher is in charge of what student or teacher data is available.

·      Student Enjoyability—2/3 I am not sure about how motivated students would be. A selling point would be only 140 characters.

·      Accessibility—2 Teachers of students this level would probably not give open access to Twitter, or at least I wouldn’t.

·      Feedback—2 I do not see the potential for early elementary students to get meaningful feedback. Teacher might, though, from parents.

·      Higher Level Thinking—2 This site would not require nor push thinking for these students. 

Team 2 Early Elementary Rubric Applied to Twitter

 

	Does Not Meet the Expectations 1	Partially Meets the Expectations 2	Meets the Expectations 3	Exceeds the Expectations 4
Safety	*Student data can be readily accessed by anyone. *Students can receive or send messages to while using the tool. *Tool has ads or pop-ups.	*Student data cannot be easily accessed by others. *Students can send or receive message to others in the district while using tool. *Tool has ads or pop-ups.	*Student data is not accessible to outside individuals. *Students cannot receive or send messages while using the tool. *Tool has no ads or pop-ups.	*Student data (beyond first name and grade level) is not needed to use the tool. *Student data can only be accessed by invited individuals. *Tool has no ads or pop-ups.
Student Enjoyability	*Students are not motivated and engaged by this technology tool. *Poor graphics, poor entertainment value and the tool is not user friendly	*Students are motivated and engaged by parts of this technology tool. *O.K. graphics, some parts are entertaining and some parts are user friendly	*Students will be motivated and engaged to use this technology tool. *Great graphics, entertaining and user friendly	*Students will be highly motivated and engaged to use this technology tool. *Above and beyond graphics, entertaining and extremely user friendly
Accessibility	*Tool is likely to crash or close without warning. *Students are unable to find the tool without assistance. *Tool costs money to use.	*Students need assistance accessing tool (user name/password long or confusing). *Students need assistance following the directions for using the tool. *Tool is low cost or free.	*After appropriate instruction, students can access the tool independently. *Students can use the tool with little to no adult assistance. *Tool is free or low cost.	*Students can use the tool (app, site, or program) on different devices both at home and at school. *Tool is free or low cost.
Feedback (When Applicable)	*No feedback given. *No ability for teachers or peers to leave feedback.	*Irrelevant feedback given. *Limited ability for teachers or peers to leave feedback.	*Meaningful feedback available. *Ability for teachers and peers to leave feedback.	*Meaningful feedback available along with links to lessons/exercises to practice weak areas. *Ability for teachers and peers feedback.
Higher Level Thinking	*Communication tool has no clear goal that encourages students to use any of Bloom's skills beyond the first level (remember).	*Communication tool has a goal that encourages students to use at least one of Bloom's skills (remember and understand).	*Communication tool has specific goal and one or more supporting objectives that encourage students to use many of Bloom's skills, including evaluate and analyze).	*Communication tool has clearly defined goals and several supporting objectives that encourage students to use many of Bloom's skills, including create.