What an interesting process looking at an existing course and considering all the technical/people factors when deciding how to use Twitter and SL with overseas students in countries with less access to technology.
There were a number of factors we needed to look at including:
- Learners access to technology including possible paid for services such as SMS
- Learner ability or inclination to technology (international)
- Learner inclination to social or non-course activities (international)
- New services provided by Twitter for learners
- Possible cross community communication using Twitter
- Time available for teaching learners
- Likelihood of learner acceptance
In terms of the first two points, ArriveUK learners abroad are less likely to have access to broadband connections, the computer specification needed for SL and free SMS. This group is likely to have a smaller cohort that are ready, willing or able to use SL. Usually a whole group of ArriveUK students is around 90, and there are two groups, so this would seem a better option.
Twitter's main focus will therefore be to link to the podcasts which are posted each week. ArriveUK students will be able to subscribe to the Twitter feed from within Moodle, which will potentially answer questions posed relating to the podcasts. We're aiming that students will want to reply to the questions using Twitter rather than the forum as the Twitter feed and interface will be ubiquitous in Moodle, and show all new tweets and comments. The simple interface should also help to make the service less daunting. Twitter has a limited set of characters for each Tweet and we're hoping this will encourage debate and interaction. All posts and questions will continue to be posted within the discussion board as usual.
It's an interesting observation that ArriveUK students aren't interested in discussion threads, and there is usually a long lists of posts. Replies to previous posts are generally found as later entries rather than within a thread. This will suit Twitter's chronological nature. However, by using Twitter learners can interact with their learning community using a variety of technologies including mobile phones (SMS), Google Talk, www.twitter.com, browser plug-ins, RSS feeds, widgets, Moodle itself and Second Life for those students taking this option.
Time has to be allocated to train and orientate both the MA and ArriveUK students. This involves both technical and social skills. These learners are very focussed on their learning, and involved in the visa application process for entry to the UK. Any new technology will have to ensure that these two factors are primary considerations for the technologies to work. It may well be that Twitter will offer an important service to learners with busy schedules by enabling learners to personalise their content delivery.
