RJ Stangherlin

Keystone Technology Integrator and STAR Discovery Educator

This site is for Mrs. Stangherlin's classes at Salisbury High School.

Hack the Debate III + Current + Twitter = Real-Time Collaboration

It was FWalsh’s tweet that caught my eye.  I was uploading videos and photos from the 2 October 2008 Newseum Field Trip to DC when the pop-up twitter message caught my eye.  I have Twitterfox added to Firefox and the result is I see a blue rectangle pop up at the bottom of my browser each time my twitterverse twitts on TwittEarth. That’s how I realized I was missing the debate.  So I went to my Twitter tab and caught the conversation--but with one huge bonus.  I could click on the Twitter link, Hack the Debate, and get involved in a different way. 

Hack the Debate lets you add your Twitter posts to the live broadcast of the 2008 Presidential Debates.  Very cool to see the messages stream across the screen in real time. Powered by Current, this television network gives you the opportunity to create and influence what airs on TV.  The new look and feel of collaboration happens 24/7 on broadcast tv networks, but each new improvement to social networking amps the collaborative output.  Consumers, commentors, creators merge at the confluence of real-time 21st century learning and teaching.  And to the promoters of Twitter as “eye candy, “always great visuals,” or “a great way to waste time,” I can only say that a Web 2.0 tool is only as good as the user’s use.  A special thanks to Megan’s dad, FWalsh, for showing me yet another fascinating way to engage in the real-world learning using social media for professional learning networks.  Can you see the potential for any history class joining in the conversation as Hack the Debate IV, the final debate, airs on Wednesday, October 15.  (I’ll be there).  Purely rhetorical.  Exciting times, and you got your SAT word (or two) for the day, too. 
Hack the Debate
Twitter
Current
Broadcast TV
Turbo Tagger