NETA 2014 Presentation (Kassens, Enz)
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Presentation for 2014 NETA Conference (San Diego, November 6); results from multi-class use of incorporating Twitter in economics courses to improve writing
NETA 2014 Presentation (Kassens, Enz)
- 1. Tweeting to improve writing & expand the learning environment Dr. Alice Louise Kassens & Dr. Michael Enz, Roanoke College NETA 2014
- 2. Introduction Assessment results suggested deficiencies in student writing Framing an argument biggest issue Assigning additional writing assignments (traditional) is not always feasible/effective Need for frequent, small-scale assignment(s) Twitter
- 3. Twitter in the classroom Twitter has been shown to improve: Engagement Participation Writing Community Learning Memory
- 4. Twitter 101 Online microblogging technology Post tweets up to 140 characters Over 200 million active users, over 400 million tweets/day Free service, www.twitter.com Accessed through variety of portals: cellphone, computer, tablet Tweets can include pictures and videos Users twitter page can be customized using templates
- 5. Roanoke College Small liberal arts college in Salem, VA (~2,000 students) Economics major and minor Principles (micro and macro) required for BUAD, International Relations, Health Care Administration,
- 6. Framingham State University A slightly larger state university that attempts to prepare students for a productive life (~4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students) Economics major and minor Intermediate microeconomics WAS required for all Business Majors
- 7. The sample Roanoke College Principles of Macroeconomics (1) No prerequisites Freshmen Senior Economics majors, minors, BUAD, other N = 18 (24) @kassensecon122, #kassensecon122 FSU Intermediate Microeconomics (2) Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics Required Economics and Business Majors N = 49 (53) @enzec302, #enzecon
- 8. Methods Pre-test (writing assignment) Enz: part of presentation score Kassens: in class writing assignment, not graded Ten graded twitter assignments during semester Enz: 10% Kassens: 10% Post-test (writing assignment) Enz: same assignment, weight as pre-test Kassens: graded blog post (5%)
- 9. Sample Assignment Twitter assignment #2 Use the economic principle of comparative advantage to argue in favor of a volunteer military over conscription. Student A: A volunteer army has a comparative advantage over conscription because more desire to fight will lead to productive soldiers #kassensecon122
- 10. Rubric
- 11. Results
- 12. Results
- 13. Results
- 14. Results
- 15. Helpful tools Live streaming twitter feed Hootfeed (https://hootsuite.com/hootfeed) free ( http://ow.ly/DNEsQ ) Others TweetBeam (www.tweetbeam.com) free ( http://www.tweetbeam.com/show?id=EBG5l)
- 16. Helpful tools Archiving tweets (grading) Tweet Archivist (www.tweetarchivist.com) - paid Others Request from www.twitter.com Tweet Book (www.tweetbook.in) free, only your tweets, favorites TAGS (https://tags.hawksey.info/) - free, Google sheet
- 17. Lessons learned Twitter uses an algorithm to block accounts; a process to get reset Unique hashtag (test it before you use it) Set up account for class only Emphasize difference between @ and # Great feedback, students enjoyed the asignments
- 18. Positive externalities Expand the classroom Teach responsible social media use Increased student interaction
- 19. Questions? Alice Louise Kassens Roanoke College @RnningEconomist kassens@roanoke.edu Related work: The Journal of Economic Education, 2014, vol. 45, issue 2, pages 101-109 Michael Enz Roanoke College @enz_mike enz@roanonke.edu