Elizabeth Alderton and I gave this presentation at the 2010 WiscNet Future Technology Conference. The presentation focused on three research projects. Two related to integrating online discussion into a traditional face to face class (High school & Undergraduate). The other research project focuses on how classroom teachers are using Twitter for professional development. http://www.wiscnet.net/Future-Technologies-Conference-2010/

1. Shiny Objects, Classroom Practice and Professional Growth Eric Brunsell [email_address] @brunsell Elizabeth Alderton [email_address] Future Technology Conference <> 5.10.10

2. Citation: Brunsell, E., Alderton, E., & Bariexca, D. (2010, May) Shiny Objects, Classroom Practice, and Professional Growth. Presented at the WiscNet Future Technologies Conference, Madison, WI. May 10, 2010 “ Twitter Bird” is from Matt Hamm's Flickr photostream

3. How many bloggers does it take to change a light bulb? JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

4. 1 …and 99 to comment on how they would have done it. Via: http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=2027 JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

5. Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream Brunsell, E. and Cimino, C. (2009) Investigating the impact of a weekly weblog assignment on the learning environment in a secondary biology course. In Education, 15(2) Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

6. Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

7. Flickr: jepoirrier's photostream

8. “ Mr_Stein's photostream 94% of students used resources NOT provided by the teacher as they participated in blog assignments

9. Week 1 17% Week 8 72% Face-to-Face Participation Whiskeygonebad’s Flickr photostream

10. “ After getting used to talking to everyone on the blog it didn’t seem like such a big deal to give an answer in class.” Week 1 17% Week 8 72% Face-to-Face Participation “ In the beginning of the class I was afraid to raise my hand and look stupid. The blog assignments made me feel more confident each week so I was no longer afraid to look stupid.” Whiskeygonebad’s Flickr photostream

11. More than a Shiny Object? JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

12. In the initial survey, only 33% of students had a positive outlook on classroom blogging. By the fifth week of completing blog assignments, all but one student ( 97% ) had positive perceptions of the project and that one was indifferent. More than a Shiny Object? JayRazz’s Flickr photostream

13. courosa's Flickr photostream

14. 46% Multiple perspectives “ I liked hearing from different people in my major, and hearing their points of view without them actually saying them aloud. I think a lot of people don’t speak up very often and this is a great way to see what those people think about different topics.” Flickr: eekim’s photostream

15. 22% Time to process / think deeply about content and ideas. Flickr: Loveinchero’s photostream “ I think that having to write something in front of my peers is good motivation to thoroughly understand a topic so that I don't end up looking like a total fool.” “ I like the opportunity to compile my thoughts and express them when I'm ready and at my own pace.”

16. What Works? (N=113) Flickr: Eleaf’s Photostream “ When we had to pose a question at the end of our discussion it made me think a bit deeper about what I was writing on the discussion board.” “ Many people had written questions in their reflections, so when responding I was really forced to think more deeper and critically.”

17. 20% Mandatory participation Flickr: Amboo Who?’s Photstream “ I liked that we had to post twice because without that I wouldn't have tried to understand other people's perspectives or read what they wrote.” “ for on-line discussion it is mandatory for everyone to engage in discussion. In class its easy to not participate. So being engaged was the benefit.”

18. Flicrk: globevisions' photostream

20. Hey, this is Nancy. Twitter is down right now…when you get this message, give me a call. I’m dying to hear what you had for breakfast. Via danhollings.posterous.com Raptortheangel’ Flickr photostream

22. Who are they? George Eastman House’s Flickr photostream

23. Who are they? George Eastman House’s Flickr photostream

24. Who do they follow? Brajeshwar’s Flickr photostream

25. Educators: 67% Content: 17% Other: 16% Brajeshwar’s Flickr photostream

26. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream

27. What are they Tweeting? Educational Practice Asking Questions Sharing Resources Social Unknown nicholasjon's Flickr photostream 40% 4% 10% 43% 3%

28. What are they Tweeting? Educational Practice Asking Questions Sharing Resources Social Unknown nicholasjon's Flickr photostream 40% 4% 10% 43% 3% 54%

29. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream My students are researching topics related to disability for &quot;Stop The R-Word&quot; day. http://www.r-word.org/ 9:59 AM Mar 31st via iTweet

30. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream Wow! Thanks @[teacher]. What a cool history idea! http://twhistory.org/reenactments/ 3:56 AM Mar 11th via web

31. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream What sites, similar to CoverItLive, do you use for creating a chat room for your students? 5:49 AM Feb 28th via web

32. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream @[teacher] He shot at me (us?) from some bushes & then jumped out waving his gun. I think he was going to rob us till he saw his daughter 7:05 PM Apr 15th via… @[teacher] He didn't know me yet. That's how I met him. I was walking w/ his daughter, who he hadn't seen in 2 yrs, 7:04 PM Apr 15th via TweetDeck in reply to teacher

33. What are they Tweeting? nicholasjon's Flickr photostream @GovChristie U refuse 2 extend the tax 2 those who make $400K plus b/c they leave state, what do U think will happen w/ talented educators? 7:09 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck… @GovChristie How do you justify paying a guy to tweet 25% more than you pay me, a 10yr veteran, gave up career in molecular biology research 7:07 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck in… @GovChristie And I gladly pay it, now more than ever, to defend my rights as a n educator. Thank you for strengthening my local btw 7:05 PM Apr 4th via TweetDeck in reply to…

34. Collaboration Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

35. Collaboration Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream “ I've shared several examples of classroom activities related to cell respiration with @[state science education consultant] and @[teacher] - we have emailed the projects back and forth and provided each other with constructive criticism.”

36. Collaboration Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream “ I've communicated with a lot of Twitter people in regards to things like finding appropriate research articles, using different classroom resources & activities, and conference attendance.”

37. Benefits Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream

38. Benefits Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream “ My practice benefits from my involvement on Twitter because I am more confident in my ability, have many more resources, have a PLN [personal learning network] I can turn to for instant response to a problem or encouragement when I’m in need of it.”

39. Benefits Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream “ I have people to offer advice and keep me motivated on days teaching is hard.”

40. Benefits Brunsell‘s Flickr photostream “ I’m exposed to so many new ideas and tools that I take into my classroom. It shapes how I see my practice and how I see what is possible in my classroom.”

41. Impact Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

42. “ Thanks to my Twitter Network, I now routinely use Text-to-Speech software with students during the editing phase of the writing process.” Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

43. “ I will be participating in the National Writing Project because my Twitter Network has convinced me that I need to participate to improve my teaching practice.” Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

44. “ [Teacher] and I have worked together on several projects between our classrooms. Specifically, we worked on a project designed to raise attention around the genocide occurring in Darfur. Our students developed blog entries, videos, Animoto presentations, and VoiceThreads around the issue.” Idiolector’s Flickr photostream

45. ` I Tweet, I learn So What? James Sarmient’s Flickr photostream

46. Now What? Eric Brunsell [email_address] @brunsell Elizabeth Alderton [email_address]