Reflection 2.0

During a late night discussion on Twitter last night, @digitalmaverick came up with the idea to start a Twitter bookgroup.  What, you may ask, is a Twitter bookgroup?  Well, in my world, it’s an experiment in using Twitter for something OTHER than edtech networking and distraction.  The #1 reason I’m taking so much time promoting it is this:  I believe Twitter is HUGE.  I’m just not always sure why I’m spending so much time actually using it!  It has been brought up numerous times on Twitter itself and Classroom 2.0 that Twitter will never be able to be used with and for students.  Well, I think this has the possibility to challenge that.  Here are the reasons stated on the bookgroup’s wiki for why the group was started:

Advantages of a Twitter Bookgroup

Brainstorm your thoughts below

• Being able to effectively synopsis your thoughts in 140 characters requires higher order thinking
• It is is more inclusive of those with lower bandwidth capabilities or do not have computers (they can use cell phones)
• Contributions can be made “on the go” (via cell phone)
• It would potentially allow a greater number of people to participate
• It could encourage participants to read off line.
• It will further the growth of the Twitter network.
• An excellent experiment on the potential use of Twitter in education

Now, I’m the first person to admit when something isn’t working.  So, if after the first few months we realize that Twitter doesn’t actually lend itself to the bookgroup idea, fine.  But why not try?  Isn’t that what we do in education everyday?  Try new things and see what happens.  This is just on a much larger scale, and oh my, there are already plenty of skeptics.  I say, bring it on!  And then leave us alone to do our experiment - if you can’t play nice, don’t play at all :-)

To join, follow @bookgroup and join the twitterbookgroup wiki.  All of the members will be listing their twitter names on the wiki, so if nothing else, it’s a great way to meet some new friends!