Tikatok is an online tool that allows students to create and publish their own picture books. Twitter is a social media platform that allows users to share short messages, or tweets. While Tikatok could be used in the classroom to engage students' creativity, there are some downsides like requiring payment to publish books and allowing students to share content publicly. Twitter could also be used educationally by having students research trends, communicate with teachers, and practice concise writing. It allows private messaging between approved followers only. On balance, Twitter may be better than Tikatok for classroom use due to easier accessibility and greater safety controls.
3. What are they? Tikatok is a web2tool for teachers that allows students to imagine a story and create their own book. It is an online program that allows students to create their story using technology Twitter is a social networking site, allowing users to connect with others and tweet their thoughts and opinions. Twitter is extremely popular in current society, and it is rivaled by MySpace (which is slowly being used less) and the most popular,Facebook.
5. Tikatok Tikatok seems fairly simple to use. To create a book, students will need to have their own email address and be familiar with uploading pictures and typing into a document. The tool is self-guided and very easy to use. The tool is easy for students to understand sequencing of their story, which reinforces how to write a book using technology.
6. Tikatok In The Classroom Tikatok could be used in a secondary classroom for the viewing/representing unit in conjunction with the stage 5 syllabus. Students can plan their own book using this tool. The tool guides students through the creation process, starting at the beginning with the cover, and progressing on with the structure of a book.
7. Tikatok In the Classroom Tikatok could be used whilst completing the viewing/representing unit for Stage 5. Students could view the picture book “The Rabbits,” by John Marsden. Following the reading of the text, students could use the Tikatok tool to subvert the text. E.g. In groups of 4-5, students must create a subversion of “The Rabbits,” using the web2tool application “Tikatok”. Students use the tool to create their own picture book based on the other characters of the picture book.
8. Tikatok- Why it Wouldn’t Work Tikatok could be useful, and I would consider using it, however there are some negatives associated with the tool. Students need to successfully create an account, using a current email address, which can be a lengthy process. Student parents/guardians would need to be aware of the account. Notes would need to be sent home and signed and if any parent does not agree with the tool, then the particular student would need to use another tool, which could cause problems if different students are using different tools. Some parents may not want their child creating or using email accounts.
9. Tikatok-Why it Wouldn’t Work Less visionary students could not be inspired enough to begin their book as a result of the provided artwork. It could be considered too young for secondary students, and therefore engagement with the task could be minimal. This could be a barrier as students may not be engaged enough to complete the book. There is a substantial cost in getting the book published. After completing the book, students are required to pay a fee in order to get the book published. This could be a let-down for the students who are proud of their achievements, and may allow disengagement from the unit of work, as well as the task associated with Tikatok. Students may ask what the point is if they cant even publish the book for others to see. Another example is the amount of advertisements on the website due to its ownership by Barnes & Noble. Some parents may not want their child exposed to the advertisements. Lastly, there is an online book sharing application associated with Tikatok, which allows users of the tool to share their books with others that have also created a book. This could be dangerous for secondary students, as they could be discussing and sharing private information with someone who isn’t who they say they are. This could be a huge problem as parents, particularly of younger students aged 12-15, may find this very uncomfortable and believe that they tool is not safe enough for the child to use.
10. Tikatok While the premise surrounding the tool seems appropriate for secondary students to use, it is my opinion that the tool carries more negatives than positives. The biggest concern is paying for the published copy as well as the online sharing opportunities. I would consider using the tool at its most basic, however even then I feel I may have problems with parents.
12. Twitter Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service where users are able to share their experiences or express themselves. Individuals send and read messages known as tweets. Users are able to write anything they wish on the site, provided that their post does not exceed 140 characters. Twitter could be a successful tool to be used in the classroom and I would use it for a variety of activities associated with literacy learning.
13. Twitter The first advantage is that Twitter is easily accessible. Students can go to the website www.twitter.com to use the site. Another example is the application is available on the Iphone. As the Iphone is now one of the most popular mobile phones in society, students could access the site easily using their mobile. Outcome 3 of the BOS syllabus relates to the use of technology in students learning, and outcomes could be easily achieved through using this site.
14. Twitter- Why It Would Work The first advantage is the fact that Twitter could very easily engage a secondary student in the classroom. Due to the overwhelming popularity of social networking sites, particularly Facebook, students could be easily engaged to use the site for learning as they would most likely be using social networking sites in their personal life. Students could be engaged in the site through the use of combining learning as well as interactions with their peers, which allows social support.
15. Twitter Twitter could be useful in the classroom as it allows students to strengthen their reading and writing skills. As users are required to “tweet” students must organise their thoughts into the required 140 character limit. It will allow students to express themselves in quicker and more succinct ways, rather than writing a full paragraph. Students have the opportunity to learn how to do this effectively while using twitter.
16. Twitter Twitter could be used successfully as a way for teacher and student to communicate. A Virginia university uses Twitter in all their communication with students. Students are able to tweet their teacher about assignments, lessons and content. It is an easy way for the classroom to be connected and allows important messages to be sent directly and promptly to the receiver.
17. Twitter Students could use twitter in the classroom by researching a particular trend. There are many literacy trends currently available on Twitter. Students could read these trends and use them in the classroom. Students also have the ability to share their own opinions on either the trend or one of their peers tweets and use it successfully as an online journal. This allows students the ability to share their thoughts, opinions or questions online for others to comment on, rather than in a diary. This would work well for boys who feel that writing in a diary is a feminine activity or task. As some boys are visual learners, Twitter would be a useful tool.
18. Twitter Parents safety concerns could be eased with the use of twitter. Unlike Tikatok, users can only tweet people that are on their following/followers list. Parents could monitor the people in this list to ensure that the student knows each one of them, rather than random people. It is safer for students to use as they know everyone in their list.
19. Twitter Twitter could be useful in an activity on slang words. As functional literacy allows students the opportunity to use reading/writing skills in everyday life, a lesson could be centred around different words that are associated with twitter in order to use it successfully. Words such as tweets, and other popular forms of technological slang such as lol, lmao and brb could be incorporated into a lesson about different words and there meanings for different purposes.
20. Twitter I would use Twitter as an educational tool in order to teach my students effectively using technology. Students can easily access it, its trustworthy and I believe would engage students. It teaches students the skills to use social networking sites not only for pleasure, but for learning as well. It allows students to use these skills and apply them in society in a functional way.
21. Reference List http://cooper-taylor.com/2008/08/50-ideas-on-using-twitter-for-education/ http://www.readinghorizons.com/blog/post/2011/06/24/The-Best-of-Twitter-Supporting-Literacy-and-Reading.aspx http://sites.google.com/site/johnieseducatortoolbox/web-2-0-tools---cuin-7330/creativity-tools/tikatok http://www.techlearning.com/article/Nine-Reasons-to-Twitter-in-Schools/45908 http://tipline.blogspot.com/2009/07/twitter-with-students.htm http://www.twittertipscentral.com/miscellaneous/twitter-for-students/
