Blogging and Tweeting in the Classroom: exploring how effective use of new media can help teaching and learning in Primary Schools.

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence that the educational use of social media has the potential to enhance a number of aspects of teaching and learning but there is a limited range of research on how Twitter can be integrated into classroom practice and school-life in primary schools. This paper adds to the emerging evidence of how social media such as Twitter has made valuable contributions to professional practice in three primary schools in the north-west of England. The study reveals how social media can be used as a learning tool for pupils and teachers: as a way of facilitating communication within and beyond the classroom; and as a tool for professional development. The study reveals evidence of good practice and offers suggestions for further development of social media within primary school practice.