Bringing Social Media to the Writing Classroom: Classroom Salon

Abstract

This article introduces a new IText technology called Classroom Salon. The goal of Classroom Salon is to bring some of the benefits of social media—the expression of personal identity and community—to writing classrooms. It provides Facebook-like features to writing classes, where students can form social networks as annotators within the drafts of their peers. The authors discuss how the technology seeks to capture qualities of historical salons, which also built communities around texts. They also discuss the central features of the Classroom Salon system, how the system changes the dynamics of the writing classroom, current efforts to evaluate it, and future directions.

Empirical Evidence on the Relationship between Democratic Classroom and Social Skills Development of Students

“…In Pakistani schools, textbook is considered as the main source of knowledge or instrument. Teachers do not create an enabling classroom environment where students could freely interact, cooperate and share their own experiences, rather, students are expected to rote learn the text and reproduce it in examination (Kaufer, Gunawardena, Tan, & Cheek, 2011). This academic environment in the schools has contributed to the socialization of obedient and passive citizens who lack critical thinking, questioning, decision-making and problem-solving skills (Crisp & Turner, 2011).…”

Social Media and Classroom Engagement: Students’ Perception

“…However, it is important that one considers the ramifications that come with this convenience. Computer-mediated communication has an impact on human communication and human relationships; therefore, it is important that researchers have a better understanding of this relatively new medium as well as the effects that this medium has on interpersonal relationships (Kaufer, 2011).…”

Classroom Salon – An Innovative Method for Investigating Student Learning

“…CLS, the Facebook-like technology, had initially been developed by educators and researchers at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) for use in writing classes (6) in 2010. Since then, CLShas been integrated into courses of many different disciplines in higher education and K-12 school districts.…”

“…In addition, CLS provides an entire suite of tools to author, manage, discuss, and refine content (6). Instructors or authors can upload and manage course material.…”