by Alpha Mansaray
Many students believe Twitter has become the new Facebook, and along with its popularity comes notoriety. Across the country, school officials are noticing problems Twitter is causing in the classroom. From rumors to bullying, it has caused many fights and distractions.
Many administrators, including those at Varina, are using Twitter as a way to prevent altercations before they occur on school grounds.
The sad fact is that most of us have known about some conflict that originated on Twitter. Most of us have received text messages saying log onto Twitter to see the drama unfolding between two other students. Most of us have witnessed the conversations over the lunch table concerning the latest Twitter argument that occurred the night before.
With so many students invested in Twitter, it’s no wonder school administrators are paying close attention to it.
Recently, someone made a page on Twitter to post humiliating things about various students at our school. Administrators quickly noticed this could turn into physical confrontations the following day at school, so they took action to prevent it.
It’s disappointing that students are using this powerful social networking tool in such a negative way. Students need to turn Twitter into an instrument of education instead of one of gossip and hatred.
Studies have shown Twitter can be incorporated into school curriculum. Researchers at the University of Minnesota analyzed how students performed when they used Twitter to work on assignments. The study found that students who were asked to contribute to class discussions and complete assignments using Twitter completed their assignments over a semester more than twice as much as a the group who did not use Twitter. The problem is all of Twitter’s good is overshadowed by students who use it for its negative purposes.
Beware my followers. Twitter is powerful tool, and if it’s used in the right way, it could help our education instead of hurt it.
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