Book in Face... 'What is she talking about? After reading Jamie's blog post, "Twitter: Just another facebook, right?" I had many thoughts going through my head. I shared her skepticism with joining Twitter, and agreed with her analysis of communication in schools. In many schools today, children are mainly learning through books. I find this as a flaw. There should be more stress on communication skills and group work. These are the things that will stick with children. In all areas of life it is key to have good communication skills. Almost every avenue and career that people pursue will almost surely involve group work. Having the skills and confidence to talk to individuals and groups is a topic that seems to be left behind in some instances.
With the ever expanding technology that we deal with on a daily basis it is still important to have the ability to relay information confidently, clearly, and concisely, whether it be online or in person. The way you communicate can either create a positive or negative first impression. I'll take Twitter as an example. I had no intention of ever creating a Twitter account, but as you know it is a must for this class. I was used to seeing people brag about themselves, and post useless status updates on Facebook I thought Twitter would be the same. Following some people makes me think of this quote from Billy Madison, "Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."
After actually spending some time on Twitter, and choosing some interesting people to follow I realize that Twitter can be a useful learning tool. It is a way to pick the minds of some very knowledgeable people. It can help you learn some new things to try in the classroom, and help you to inspire you to think outside of the box. I know I will be checking regularly to find any information that can be helpful to my students and I, and I urge you to give Twitter a chance and do the same. Step outside your comfort zone a bit, expand your horizons, and you'll be able to find and learn a plethora of new ideas. So get your faces out of those books and maybe you'll find a tweet that will be really neat!
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