New tools in the classroom

The use and proliferation of networks and social media continues to expand steadily. Exploiting the advantages offered to implement them within the classroom is a growing trend. So come to us from The Lantern , where indicated as “some teachers see as vital academic tools, the mobile Twitter or Facebook” . According to eMarketer digital marketing company: “About 1.43 billion people are expected to use social networks this year.”

In interview with ‘ve Lantern Steve Nicholls, author of “Social Media in Business” , says:
“They (social media) allow people to share information and connect with each other”, but also notes that the marriage between social media and education is not without risks.


Matthew Stoltzfus, professor of chemistry at OSU, teaches about 350 students and highlights the usefulness of these social networks to meet the wide range of students are there in their classes and track the progress of students in “real time” .

Stoltzfus used Twitter with students to send reminders of the tasks that are pending and information from other courses, but certainly one of the most interesting has to do with the distance tratabajar opportunity offered by social networks.

“This model is an excellent way for any class that wants to facilitate the discussion.”

Based on this model, students can see a video of a conference to be published before class time, so instead of using the class hour on this activity can be used in the debate and that students come prepared to discuss, ask questions and solve problems.

Students also use networks like Facebook to communicate with their peers, coordinate and carry out group projects.

In OSU also have a forum online tutors allowing them to post syllabi, assignments and grades, but according to the website Stoltzfus used primarily as a class newsletter and a way for students to access their grades.

Although the difficulties and problems are there, says Nicholls, “the benefits of using social media outweigh the risks . “