The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that "students chatting on Twitter both inside and outside the classroom got higher grades than their nontweeting peers in a recent experiment conducted at a medium-size public institution in the Midwest." Specifically, with a student population consisting of 125 first year pre -health - professional majors participating in the voluntary experiment, researchers divided students into two groups: 70, experimental and 55, control. The experimental group were instructed to use Twitter to "access information and complete four class assignments required in a first - year seminar course. In contrast, the control group were informed that they would complete "the same tasks on a Web-based program that functioned like a typical course - manage system's discussion board (i.e., Blackboard, Moodle)
According to researchers, "at the end of the semester, the tweeters had grade-point averages half a point higher, on average, than did their nontweeting counterparts. And students who tweeted were more engaged." Also, "Twitter users scored higher than those who didn't use the tool on a 19-question student - engagement survey over the course of the semester - using parameters like how frequently students contributed to classroom discussion, and how often they interacted with their instructor about course material."
Despite the above research findings and announcement, some faculty members have expressed skepticism and doubts over the above Twitter results. For example, Dave Perry, an assistant professor of emerging media at the University of Texas at Dallas, "questioned whether the tool was the cause of the improved grades" and called for additional study and research.
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What's your opinion?
Hi Aja,
ReplyDeleteI think technology is a good thing if we use it in the right way. In this research they found that social networking like twitter help students to get a good grade because they can follow other people opinions every time when they need and they can get a lot of media that it is difference than study in their class.
Hi Tah Tah:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your return feedback regarding Twitter. Yes, it seems that Twitter makes the learning process very engaging due to online social interactions and multimedia access.
Aja.....When I read your article finding mentioned that "students chatting on Twitter both inside and outside the classroom got higher grades than their nontweeting peers in a recent experiment conducted at a medium-size public institution in the Midwest." inspired me to use this tool for my teaching and learning.Thank you for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Wilairat:
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your blog. It is such a beautiful, warm, and welcoming blog. I am glad that you found the Twitter article useful. I enjoyed blogging about it. It seems that Twitter as an educational tool is very versatile. Take care.
Aja,
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interseting idea. However, I don't know if twitter in relation to a class like that would make their grades better. Yes, today's students do most of the interaction online and are more comfortable to do it. I think it's an interesting topic however to incorporate twitter into the class and have them do assignments through that.
Hi Leah:
ReplyDeleteThank you for your return feedback. I think that the research community are in alignment with your sentiment. As you can see at the of my report summary: Dave Perry, an assistant professor of emerging media at the University of Texas at Dallas, "questioned whether the tool was the cause of the improved grades" and called for additional study and research.
I thnk that the present hands-on work & research that some K-12 teachers and college/university professors are doing on Twitter is exciting and will unltimately one day prove whether or not if Twitter does in fact improve student grades, without a doubt.
Aja,
ReplyDeleteWow - intriguing experiment and results. I am skeptical, however, of the findings and agree with Dave Perry's comments. And my bias is that I do not Tweet!
Hi Sue:
ReplyDeleteLOL, LOL!!! I know, I do not Tweet as well. I leave the tweeting to my younger nieces and nephews. I found the experiment interesting as well. So far, researchers are calling for additional study and I think that is a valid thing to do. One study does not mean an accepted truth; however, I think future research in this area will indeed be exciting. Thank you for your return feedback. It is always great to hear your opinion.
I don't know why but I don't want anything to do with Twitter. I am not sure more proven research would even change my mind. I just don't get the point of it. My brain is really not understanding how Tweeting helps get better grades. I would think it would be a huge distraction. Oh well, maybe some day I will catch up and start following Tweets, but I doubt it. lol!
ReplyDeleteHi Greg:
ReplyDeleteThank for your return response. Yes, it seems that Twitter is not for everyone; but they say variety is the spice of life. So, for those individuals who Tweet and are engaged on Twitter, I say more power to them.
In terms of Twitter as a potential learning device, it might be a generational thing. The young kids seem to really love it and actively participate in this online social network.