Twitter Engages Students In Enrique Legaspi's L.A. Classroom

When L.A. teacher Enrique Legaspi asks his students a question about World War I, they pull out cell phones and computers and type off 140 character answers on Twitter.

Legaspi uses the popular social networking site to make his classes energetic.

He told CNN,

"I had an aha moment there. I said to myself, 'This is going to really engage my students.' "

Using social media in the classroom remains controversial across the nation, with educators debating the pros and cons of integrating the technologies into lesson plans.

According to Legaspi, using Twitter has been very productive in his classroom, helping engage students in the material. The tactic is especially powerful, he says, for shy students who wouldn't usually speak up in class.

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Comments

[Joseph Schmoe]

08:09 AM on 06/12/2011

The ability to misuse chalk or pencil and paper didn't stop us from utilizing those tools. Likewise, the ability to misuse or overuse electronic technology shouldn't stop us from a mature, measured use of things such as Twitter, either. No panaceas. No Superman. Just intelligent, capable teachers doing the best they can with little funding and a tremendous lack of respect from administration and parents.

[dudervision]

08:50 PM on 06/11/2011

Likewise, in China the conversations that take place in online gaming systems such as World of Warcraft have become important tools for helping students develop their English writing skills. I have even seen academic papers written on this subject.

[dudervision]

08:48 PM on 06/11/2011

Another online area is the realm of Fan Fiction. Children who are learning to write, but have a real interest in particular characters and stories can become involved in the fan fiction created based on them. Ironically, those who are already experienced will often jump in and provide support and useful suggestions that help the kids to really grow. I heard the story of a Chinese girl trying to learn English who became involved in a fan fiction site and ultimately developed her English Proficiency through her writing and ended up being a respect author in this arena.

[pdxist]

07:42 PM on 06/11/2011

When I was in school, I was often the one to raise his hand first, and frequently the only one to raise their hand. I'm glad a new tool has been found to remove whatever that barrier is that prevented other students from raising their hand.

[Always Conservative]

04:03 PM on 06/11/2011

Look what twitter has done for congressmen...

[kinger50]

01:45 PM on 06/11/2011

"Engage" has become code for "Entertain". All kids, including shy ones can start hiding behind Twitter. I think this is so desperate that it is almost pathetic. Kids need opportunities to interact with real people, not hid behind the veil of Twitters and other impersonal, isolating technologies. Social skills take practice not avoidance. Sheez...what next from this desperate society that just won't take the time.

[saaba]

05:29 PM on 06/11/2011

Tech companies are pumping lots of dough into convincing schools that they need tech in order to teach to todays' children (notice the Micosoft logo painted across the back wall of that school's computer lab). They call it the 21st Century model. The are especially targeting low income districts. It seems that the education divide is being split even further. We'll have one group of middle to upper class kids educated in more traditional schools who can construct a well planned essay with supporting details, and a low income group who'll learn to spew out the first thing that pops into their head for all to see in 140 characters or less.

[pdxist]

07:40 PM on 06/11/2011

When you raised your hand in class, did you speak an essay, or did you give a short answer?

Remove the word "Twitter" and you might recognize that these are simply students writing answers to questions. There's nothing horrible, or even fundamentally new, going on. There are still longer assignments, there is still vocal dialog between students and teachers. But instead of just one or two students per classroom eagerly raising their hand to answer a question, everyone tweets an answer.