Should You Live Blog/Twitter A College Class?
from the questions-of-a-new-age dept
It's quite common these days for people to "live blog" or "live Twitter" different conferences or events they're attending, filling in others what's happening in near real time. However, what happens when someone does that in a college class? Already, there are some professors struggling with the fact that students use the internet during class, but they're not at all happy about the idea that they might not just be using the internet to surf around -- but to report to others what's happening inside the classroom. The issue is discussed in detail by Mark Glaser in his latest MediaShift column after an NYU professor told her students to stop blogging or Twittering things about her class.The controversy apparently began when a student in the class actually wrote a guest "embedded" column for MediaShift a few weeks ago, complaining that NYU's journalism school wasn't up-to-date on teaching students about social media and the new tools of journalism. The professor in the class she talked about wasn't particularly happy about the article, which was then discussed in the class itself (very meta). According to students in the class (and the author of the original piece), the professor made it clear that they were no longer to blog, text or Twitter about the class, or to quote the professor without permission. Considering the class itself is called “Reporting Gen Y," that seemed like an odd restriction.
The professor differs on what she told the students, saying that she only meant they couldn't blog or Twitter during the class, but were free to afterwards. However, she stood by the comment that she shouldn't be quoted without permission. Glaser investigates the legality of this, and how it fits with NYU's journalism standards. That said, it is a little odd that it's perfectly fine to quote or blog about conferences or other events, but once you're in the classroom, a cloak of silence is expected. To some extent, this sounds like it may just be a generational issue. Perhaps it's the actual Gen Y'ers who should be teaching the class on Reporting Gen Y.
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Personal Space
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Easier
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Re:
If your course fails to identify students who don't adequately understand the material then you are as much to blame as they are for entering the world "mislabled as an academic." If, however, you're confident that anyone who passes your course knows the material, and these students passed your course, then what are you complaining about?
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Of course students shouldn't be blogging DURING class, anymore than they should be texting, surfing, doodling or playing Pictionary. You're supposed to pay attention during class, and people ignoring the lesson or being disruptive can kindly get the frak out.
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the fine line...
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Who's paid who?
If someone is paid to speak, is not blogging what is said, an IP violation. The contents of what has been said is now free for all... and the speaker will no longer be paid.
(good job he didn't sing his lecture!!!!! )
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Re: Who's paid who?
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Blog Away
Quoting with attribution to criticize is definitely legal. If the quote is copyrighted it is often fair use. Furthermore if the quote is not fixed by the professor it is not even copyrighted, fixation is a requirement to get copyright protection.
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Re: Blog Away
"I pay more then" $300 an hour for legal council (just to put it into perspective), "I sure as hell am going to share what I learn."
I have a feeling that when you get into practice you will have a very different view of things. When a client is sitting across from you twittering your discussion and, in essence, giving his contacts free legal advice at the expense of your billable time, I suspect you will be rather annoyed. Maybe even upset. Ya think?
Unless, by "helping free culture" you mean you are going to give free council. Right.
NB
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Re: Re: Blog Away
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How is it different from offering podcasts?
If the students, who are paying for their education, choose to screw off during class, that's their problem. The instructor should write the tests in such a way as to actually measure the amount of knowledge a person has gained, ideally by attending class. However, if someone is smart enough to skip class yet still pass the exam based on notes, reading the text book, etc., what harm is done?
It's the job of the instructor to ensure the student has learned the material, not babysit them. If was a professor (and I plan on doing that when I get out of the military), I would focus on being able to use the information taught rather than just rote memorization or multiple choice.
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No agree
Universities usually have some sort of internal CMS such as Blackboard or WebCT that allows them to share classroom material and most professors actively use these systems. Theres no excuse.
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Re: No agree
Then take appropriate action against the persons responsible for the offending action. I don't see how this impacts whether or not students can blog or Twitter durring class. just because they MIGHT do something stupid, that's no excuse to cut them off from all the other valid and reasonable uses of technology, even if it is "For their own good."
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http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2008/08/2008080101c.htm
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wiire tap law
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Re: wiire tap law
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Re: wiire tap law
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Re: Re: wiire tap law
> needs to be aware that it is being recorded.
That's actually incorrect, in Pennsylvania at least. You need two-party consent to record.
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Re: wiire tap law
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Quit School
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Re: Quit School
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More than one way
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Re: Rules of Engagement
It seems to me that Twittering notes is very similar to handwriting notes in a notebook. The becomes then, how widely and quickly are those notes shared. There is also some validity to the question of copying and pasting portions of a professor's presentation into Twitter along with the notes without attribution to the professor.
Study groups have existed forever, but the scope was pretty limited. Twitter allows for the discussion to become far more widely available if anybody is interested in following it. It doesn't really change the kernel of the discussion, but it has the potential to amplify any reactions to it, positive or negative.
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In my days
Even though I tried to attend all class sessions [I was paying for them myself, with no help from others], it was helpful as an additional study aid to have these notes, taken from someone else's perspective.
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Reciprocity
This way, I can follow the posts/tweets and see if they are being used for actual intellectual processing (or at least note-taking) versus complaints or idle off-topic commentary; I could add my own comments to what students are saying; and I can distinguish the blogging by students who are doing well in the course from those who are not (and tell the ones who are not to stop the twittering and pay attention).
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Re: Reciprocity
okay that was hyperbolic.
regardless...most people on this site are missing the irony of this.
The class being taught should reflect the subject being taught.
Pedagogical theory and the damn design of the course itself scream out for this. This professor who is teaching about Generation Y really did not think things through. In all honesty, boycott this class ( mind you I am not saying this professor who might be perfectly fine for other classes) is offerring a very poor learning experience especially in regards to participatory media.
Hell this is a way to engage your students on a deeper level...
It would be heartening however...if in defiance of this that everyone was liveblogging and twittering the class from now on.
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Let them Twitter away
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I Want My New Media!
Whether universities catch on or not, new media is the future and students ought to be able to participate. Furthermore, it seems illogical for a journalism professor to object to the free flow of information and ideas. This technology is especially relevant for journalists since we need access to rapidly changing news information, and the ability to compare news stories and assess biases.
It can be used as a learning tool and ought to be embraced.
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suggestion: cloak of transparency
http://www.zazzle.com/im_blogging_this_shirt-235183641688781346?rf=238064794261377576
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Dorm Gear
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Dorm Gear
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Sofia.
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Complication
http://www.collegepad.com
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College Fun
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transparamcy
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