Running head: TWITTER IN THE CLASSROOM

Twitter in the Classroom

Breanna Steele
Minnesota State University, Mankato
KSP 619-Using Technology in the Classroom
Spring 2016

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Abstract
When you hear the words like: hashtag, Tweet, Tweep, follow and Retweet, only one
social media tool comes to mind: Twitter. Twitter is a social media tool that was created back in
2006 and it has become one of the most popular and dynamic communication tools of the
twenty first century. Since its creation, there are more than 974 million accounts (Sherman,
2014). The use of technology and social media tools has become popular in todays
classrooms.
Twitter has proven itself to be an indispensable tool for educators around the world.
Teachers have been using Twitter to connect with parents, colleagues and other educators and
now, students. Twitter is a communication and collaboration software that allows for students,
teachers and parents to collaborate and communicate, online, in one space. It allows for
students and teachers to share ideas, pictures, web links, opinions, and other resources. It
allows for global collaboration and communication. This paper outlines why Twitter is a useful
tool to use in the classroom. Research presents evidence demonstrating how Twitter can
increase student engagement, participation and grades. This paper, also, outlines ways
teachers can use Twitter in the classroom and possible assessments that can be used by
teachers. This paper concludes with how Twitter is a powerful tool that can be used to help
students become proficient in the 21st century skills and helps students become more engaged
with learning.

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Introduction
Definition of Twitter
Twitter is defined as social network and microblogging service that allows people to
compose short, frequent messages, or Tweets, up to 140 characters that are distributed on the
Internet (Poore, 2013). This microblogging service was created in 2006 and since then, there
are more than 974 million accounts (Sherman, 2014). Twitter allows educators to connect with
students using technology. It allows for educators to connect with students on social media
platforms that students are familiar with. Twitter allows for students to communicate and
collaborate with one another, which allows students to become proficient in the 21st century
skills. Twitter, also, impacts educators to communicate and collaborate with one another. It
allows educators to share ideas, resources, and communicate with other educators.
Blooms Taxonomy and Categories of Technology
Twitter, along with other social media platforms, can be used to promote learning within
the area of remember and understand in the Blooms Taxonomy platform. Twitter allows for
students and teachers to social network with one another and to obtain information quickly.
Twitter allows for students to blog and to compose writing pieces, with restrictions, and allows
for students to comment and communicate. Twitter can, also, fall under the create category.
Twitter allows for students to create blog posts, within the 140 character limitations. It allows for
students to create writing, publish for followers to read and receive feedback on the posts that
have been posted. Twitter falls under the communication and collaboration software category.
Twitter is a software that enhances the way students communicate with one another (Pitler,
Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2007). It allows for students to communicate through text, audio, and visuals.
Twitter allows students and educators to connect and collaborate with one another, even when
geographically separated (Pitler, Hubbell, & Kuhn, 2007).

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3
Research

In general, research states that social media tools allow for students to be more
engaged, participate, and communicate with one another. Researchers argue that Twitter, and
other computer mediated communication (CMC), allow students to overcome shyness and
increase the amount of student participation, especially in larger classes (DiVerniero & Hosek,
2013). In a semester long study, research significantly shows that students had a greater
increase in engagement and higher semester grade point averages when compared to students
who were not using the social networking tool, Twitter (DiVerniero & Hosek, 2013). Another
study shows that students were intrigued by the use of Twitter as a learning tool in class and
that students were more intrigued by integrating technology in learning. Students, in this
research, said that the use of Twitter improved the experience of the class and increased the
participation and engagement levels of the class (DiVerniero & Hosek, 2013). Junco, Heiberger
and Loken (2010) conducted a study and analyzed the effect Twitter has on engagement and
grades. Junco, Heiberger and Lokens (2010) study summarized the following:
Analyses of Twitter communications showed that students and faculty were both highly
engaged in the learning process in ways that transcended traditional classroom
activities. This study provides experimental evidence that Twitter can be used as an
educational tool to help engage students and to mobilize faculty into a more active and
participatory role.
The research shows that Twitter has a positive correlation with student engagement,
participation and grades. The research proves that Twitter can be used to help promote a
positive learning experience.

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4
Advantages and Disadvantages

In general, research states that Twitter is ideal for teacher use because it is flexible, easy
to use and often very powerful (Poore, 2013). Twitter and all social media tools create
opportunities for students. It puts education at the center and allows students to take part more
actively and creatively in their own learning (Poore, 2013). Research explains all of the benefits
Twitter has in education. One advantage with using Twitter is that it teaches and allows students
to practice appropriate online communication (Poore, 2013). Communicating online allows for
students to practice good digital citizenship. Students can practice the 21st century skills of
communicating and collaborating with others online, safely (Osborne, 2012). Another advantage
of using Twitter is that it highly motivates and engages students in learning (Osborne, 2012).
Poore (2013) states that using Twitter has intellectual, communication, collaboration,
participation, socialization, and motivational benefits. Another advantage Twitter has to offer is
that it allows students to use collaboration, teamwork, networking, negotiating, communication
building and other important learning skills (Poore, 2013). Poore (2013) states that though
Twitter can be used effectively at school, Twitter is the most potent when being used to connect
outside of school and the classroom. Twitter is a social media tool that keeps students thinking
after class. Another advantage of using Twitter in the classroom is that it appeals to different
learning styles; Twitter appeals to kinesthetic, auditory, or visual learners (Osborne, 2012).
Not only can Twitter be used to connect with students, teachers can use the social
networking tool to connect with other educators. Teachers can use Twitter to keep up with the
latest news, trends and happenings in education, as well as communicate with other educators
(Can Tweeting Help your Teaching, n.d.). This social media network tool could be helpful for
young and newer teachers. They can use the social networking communication tool to find
mentors and coaches.

TWITTER IN THE CLASSROOM

Just like all technology tools, there are some disadvantages of using Twitter in the
classroom and for educational purposes. The main concern is that students can become
distracted when using Twitter (Osborne, 2012). Many students have Twitter for personal use, but
when teachers start to add the use of Twitter for educational use, students might become
distracted. Another disadvantage of using Twitter is the possibility of cyber bullying (Osborne,
2012). Twitter has a private messaging feature, where users can communicate back and forth
without their conversation being shown to the public. This could allow for students to engage in
the act of cyber bullying. Teachers need to discuss with students expectations of using Twitter
and teach students how to be good digital citizens online. One other disadvantage of using
Twitter in the classroom is that it limits face-to-face communication (Osborne, 2012). Teachers
need to have a good balance of face-to-face and online collaboration and communication. For
students to become proficient in the 21st century skills, students need to practice collaborating
and communicating online but teachers cannot become so dependent in the use of technology
to practice these 21st century skills. Teachers cannot limit the face-to-face communication and
collaboration; this social skill is just as important for students to learn as are the 21st century
skills.
Ways to use Twitter
Twitter can be used in a variety of different ways in and outside the classroom. Twitter
can be applied to any subject and to any assignment. One example of how Twitter can be used
is in an English class. Students can create a book report and give a quick synopsis of a book
that they have just read. Students can create a 140 character Tweet recommending a book to
classmates (28 Simple Ways, 2014). The students can create hashtags to promote the book
and recommend books for students to read. Teachers could also have students write poems
using Twitter (28 Simple Ways, 2014). This will give students a character restriction when
creating poems. It will challenge students to choose the most desirable words in order to get the

TWITTER IN THE CLASSROOM

point of their poem across to the audience (Miller, n.d.). Students can expand their vocabulary
by composing tweets using vocabulary words they are learning in class (GDC Team, 2014).
Another way Twitter can be used is in social studies. The social studies teacher can have
students tweet from the perspective of a historical figure. Students can tweet events, in
chronological order, from the viewpoint of a historical figure (28 Simple Ways, 2014). Students
can also use Twitter in Art class. Miller (n.d.) explains how an art teacher can use Twitter:
Students can research specific time periods, movements, creators, regions or elements
in art. They can create a Twitter exhibit, through pictures and photos. Students can
gather photos and research from the Internet and post their findings in Tweets. Students
can, also, create their own work and show their audience.
Assessment Examples
With all the ways teachers can incorporate Twitter in the classroom, teachers can, also,
use Twitter to assess students, using summative and formative assessments. Summative
assessments show data and are supported by test results (Weaver, n.d.). In the example above,
teachers can have students Tweet from the point of view of a historical figure. The teacher can
create a rubric that outlines the expectations of the assignment. After the assignment is
completed, the Tweets are then graded and students will receive a final grade.
Informal assessment is a procedure to obtain information quickly and to make judgments
about childrens learning, rather than using standardized instruments (Morrison, 2013). Informal
assessments give teachers information quickly and are not supported by data (Weaver, n.d.).
One example of an informal assessment, using Twitter, would be Tweeting questions to review
lessons and review for a test. Teachers can Tweet questions and students can respond and
receive feedback before a test (Can Tweeting, n.d.). Twitter can, also, be used as an exit ticket
assessment. This would allow teachers, in all subjects, to use Twitter for student learning.

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Teachers can Tweet a quick question through text, audio or picture and students can choose
what format to submit the answers.
Conclusion
Twitter can be defined as many things: social media tool, social networking tool,
microblogging tool, and computer mediated communication tool. The reader has learned that
Twitter is a powerful communication and collaboration software tool that increases student
engagement and allows students to work on the 21st century skills. These are important skills
students need to have in order to have a successful future and Twitter can help students
become proficient in these skills. With Twitter, learning doesn't stop. It allows for learning to
continue, even pass the four walls of the classroom. It's a space for students to communicate
and collaborate with teachers, parents, other students, community members, and famous
people. It allows for teachers to collaborate with one another, to find the latest technology and
educational trends, to communicate with each other and share ideas and resources. Though
there are disadvantages with using Twitter for educational purposes, the advantages and the
research findings show how impactful this tool can be on engagement, participation and
learning.

TWITTER IN THE CLASSROOM

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