Technologies widely used by students are to communicate are ususally well ahead of the ways that many educators use. Students in many cases have cell phones or IPod devices that can be either hooked up to telephone communication and also can access the internet in Wi-Fi areas.
Ideas can be easily exchanged using this format, since students like to text message, it is important to use tools such as these that students like working with and are familiar with and be able to incorporate into the learning environment. If students have access to and like use the technology than it is important to incorporate the technology into learning environment. Podcasting is starting to be widely accepted as a means of communicating. Students can create a video presentation and post it in a learning space, created by the teacher, were all students and their teacher can access and information, reflect on it, discuss it and post their response. Using web café provides opportunity for students to communicate with their peers and educators. Students that do not have IPhones and or Ipods can create podcasts, communicate online and form discussion groups in Class Café. Using webcams, MSN messenger, Yahoo provides opportunists for people to establish a more personal line of communication, enhancing text based means of communication. It is critical to enhance opportunites for students to devleop collaboration, communication, and problem solving skills in order to ensure that communication environment created by us is one that will accomplish desired objectives also will be one that is enjoyable, one that students will use, and one that prepares them for the challenges of 21st century.
Twitter is another option that allows students to communicate and share ideas. In order to describe and implement this tool, I would have to examine the possibilities in greater detail.
George Rusin
