Twitter for Teaching
ABSTRACT
Twitter is a free, online, social networking system that asks only one question: “What are you doing now?” [Twitter limits each “Tweet” to 140 characters which is about 15 to 20 words]. These tweets are instantly distributed to any or all Tweeters according to an elaborate structured system called followers and followings; Twitter could help business law students in at least three ways: it helps them express their thoughts in a short, cogent manner; has the potential to keep them up with the very latest developments in the law; and can set the stage for outstanding, instant student interaction.
BACKGROUND
Kenneth Lynch
Senior Professor, Management
PROBLEM OR OPPORTUNITY
Business Law I and II are Management classes. The Business Law classes are required for BA degrees in Business Administration and Legal Studies; and, are also required for BS degrees in Management, Accounting, Engineering Administration, Finance, Logistics and Marketing.
Sometimes, students may be hesitant to interact or keep up with the latest developments in business laws that change almost every day. Twitter for teaching could promote student interaction, keep students current in legal developments and teach students to write like a lawyer.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE
ASSIGNMENT, ACTIVITY, COURSE INNOVATION
Most of the students in both classes knew what Twitter was but few students were using Twitter regularly. Some students described Twitter as another “craze” in the lightening fast high tech online environment and they were not interested. The student leaders recognized the potential of Twitter to keep attorneys apprised instantly of courtroom developments, allow lawyers to interact, allow students in business law classes to interact instantly on legal topics and to encourage students to express a point or argument in 15 to 20 words, practicing daily.
Students in Business Law I and II were asked on the Discussion and Case Study Threads, how they could use Twitter in the class to learn.
REFLECTION
Twitter for teaching will take time to develop and fully implement. Any faculty member in any discipline could use Twitter for student interaction, keeping up with topical developments in the discipline and learn daily to express themselves in a short poignant manner [Twitters usually post every day]. Actor Ashton Kutcher is the “King of Twitter” beating out CNN for the number of followers. Twitter may have great applications to distance learning in the future.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
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