By now, almost everyone in the world has participated in some type of social media channel. Most educators would view it as a hindrance or distraction for students, but it’s great to see that some education institutions have incorporated Twitter during lecture, to encourage outside classroom discussion.

Have you ever found yourself announcing something to your friends via Twitter or Facebook, that you wouldn’t normally say face-to-face? I know I definitely have. Even in a classroom setting, most people won’t participate in class discussions because they don’t want to embarrass themselves in front of their peers, if they happen to state something irrelevant or off topic. Which is why:

“Students in another Twitter-friendly classroom at Purdue University agree that digital communication helps overcome the shyness barrier. “It’s just an easy way to answer questions in class without embarrassing yourself and raising your hand in a big lecture hall,” said one student. Studies frequently discover that greater participation translates into better academic performance, motivation, and a likelihood of adopting different points of view, which is why it is so striking that Twitter can foster that type of communication.”

I support this new way of learning, since it keeps students engaged, encourages participation without students really experiencing embarrassment, but more importantly will help ensure adequate learning in lieu of the budget cuts that causes overflowed classrooms. When I look back on my college years, I can certainly recall a few times when I wanted to participate during lecture, but was afraid I wouldn’t properly articulate myself or seem like I had no idea what I was talking about, among my peers.