Teachers from both primary and secondary schools are starting to use social media such as twitter to get their students engaged into conversation. Kids today seem to be much more closed in in a open environment, but more open in places like twitter or facebook.
The teachers that use this program, such as Nicholas Provenzano, an English teacher at Grosse Pointe South High School says that during his class there are maybe 12 people who are actively engaged in a class of 30. Using a backchannel, he gets around 8 more kids engaged during conversation. He noted that it was a significant change.
Because people tend to be more open on places like this, and because people have time to write and review their comments, they more effectively get their ideas out and better use their thought processes. As fellow classmates see their comments, they can understand the other person better and see them as more intelligent.
Our class also uses it, and it really is easier to talk virtually than it is to in reality. I think this is because people aren't afraid of talking over eachother, and we can get more out there in shorter time.
About 2% of a college's classes used backchannels in their class, while around 58% said that it would negatively impact their classes performance. I, and everyone who has used the method so far, disagree with this. I believe this is a more effective method of discussion that it is to openly speak in the classroom. More information can get out there, we can review it whenever we want after class, we get time to think about the next thing we say, and we get more engaged.
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