http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/education/13social.html?_r=3&pagewanted=1&hp
Many classes, including an English class in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, are now using technology as a way to have class discussions. They use social networking websites, like Twitter, to communicate with one another in the classroom during many lessons. Many students like this style of learning because they feel like they have a voice; if the class was having a verbal discussion, they would not feel comfortable talking and therefore would not have their voices heard. Teachers like this approach too because their students are doing their work and are participating more. Many classes claim that because they are allowed to use social networking websites for assignments, they are not distracted. Whereas, if these websites were not allowed, then they feel as if students would not pay attention to lessons.
I like how our school uses Blogger and Wikispaces to communicate during lessons once in a while, but I don't think that using these websites for the majority of discussions and assignments would be a positive thing. More students might participate more if they type their answers, but they're also losing their social skills. Students won't become any more confident speaking up in front of others if all they do is hide behind a computer screen.
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