January's Session

The importance of social media in education was the theme of January's session as Dr. Brett Bodsgard, Chemistry, and Dean Beckman, Mass Communication, talked about how they are using Twitter in their classrooms.

Although initially Bodsgard required Twitter use and used it for assignments and extra credit messages, he scaled back use when students complained that they had too many places to check for this kind of information.  He now uses it very successfully as a supplemental with students who want to get more engagement with the subject of chemistry.  This has helped him to develop relationships with students that have continued even after graduation; now he has alumni involved in keeping up with the people and developments in the field.

Since Twitter has become an industry standard for journalists, Beckman requires the use of Twitter in two of his classes.  Students are awarded up to 25 points for tweeting activity.  They are expected  to use Twitter as  professionals and to follow events and people in their field.  Beckman said Twitter has also become an important networking tool for student  job seekers. Like Bodsgard,  Beckman sees Twitter as a valuable method for keeping in touch with alumni.

The group got a student perspective from Connie Budin, who talked about how she had become a Twitter convert in Beckman's class.  Budin uses Twitter to not only keep up with developments in her field, but as an easy way to stay current with the news.

Missed the session? View it on Tegrity.

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New 2012 Sessions

This semester we are offering 4 new Chat Chow sessions on Fridays at noon in the McEnery Center. Don't miss  this opportunity for a hot lunch, some cool tips, and stimulating fellowship with the SMU community.

"Addicted to News"  Friday Jan 20
As the world discovered during the "Arab Spring," one of the most important ways to get the news was in a tweet.  Can educators get in on that trend? Find out how Brett Bodsgard and Dean Beckman are using Twitter in their classrooms.  If we can't "addict" our students to learning, at least we can keep them engaged.

"Who Wants Yesterday's Papers?"  Friday Feb 17

No one in Dr. Scott Sorvaag's paperless classes needs to worry about a pile up of yesterday's papers and reports. Scott, along with some of his students, will talk about how a paperless class works and provide us with a primer for a "greener" classroom.

"And I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"   Friday March 23

If you are still looking for the best new technologies to facilitate teaching and learning, come to this session to hear about what the futurists have seen in their crystal balls.  In this session we will examine the 2012 Horizon Report and provide concrete examples of how the technologies of the future are being harnessed to enhance the teaching practice.

"It's All Happening at the Zoo"  Friday April 20
What better way to celebrate the onset of Spring then with a trip to a petting zoo? In this session you will have an opportunity to "pet" some of the latest technologies--the Kindle Fire and Kindle Touch, the Nook, iPads, iPods, etc., as well as a variety of new apps.  Stop in for some real "hands on" learning and lots of discussion about how we can use these technologies in the classroom.