Tweeting Teachers

While some schools may frown upon students browsing social media while in class, one teacher in the United States is actively encouraging it. Li Dong has the details. Reporter Social media is everywhere in the society. Normally, smartphones and mobile devices are prohibited in the classroom unless they are being used for learning purposes. But in this classroom, students are encouraged to use their mobile devices to communicate with the teachers and peers via social media. Allie Meyer is one of the students in the American Public Policy class at Wauwatosa West High School in suburban Milwaukee. "We've been taught by everyone that no phones in school, no internet. Once I heard that we were going to be focusing on the internet, I was really surprised." Teacher Chris Lazarski has been watching his students interacting with Twitter and other social media sites in class - and he's keen for them to keep it up. Some schools say sites like Twitter can enhance learning by expanding classroom discussions - taking in added input from thousands of other students across the US. Regina Kautzer is a student. "Instead of getting worksheets, like just getting handed out worksheets everyday or reading from a book everyday, we can go to APP and go on the computer and go on Twitter and see what other people are saying." Lazarski is using Twitter in classroom conversations about current events. During a recent lesson, he spent time discussing zero-tolerance policies in high school and then invited students to log on to continue the conversation through classroom Twitter accounts. Some targeted industry experts, while others re-tweeted articles that elaborated on their own viewpoints. Lazarski's classroom exercise is part of a wider programmed organized by KQED, a public television station in San Francisco, California - and used by more than 120 teachers across the US. The KQED "Do Now" project posts weekly topics, videos and articles that are designed to stimulate Twitter conversations. Lazarski says he avoids relying too much on Twitter, which is why he starts the lessons with a verbal discussion. But while most students seem to be embracing it, some parents are not entirely convinced. Katie Bradley, mother of Allie Meyer, says she won't let her 16-year-old have a personal Twitter account. And she is worried about classroom tweeting - because posts are permanent. "She's going to study abroad. She wants to go to college. She has big plans. I would hate, hate for a terrible decision that she made as a teenager to affect her future." The "Do Now" program is geared mainly towards high school students, but primary school teachers are also experimenting with blogs and Twitter. While some parents may have concerns, it seems a growing number of schools see social media as an important, interactive learning tool.