Twitter- Work Sample #3

Work Sample #3  

Twitter 

Summary

Twitter is an online social networking service and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based messages of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets" (Wikipedia,Twitter, 2013). Since its launch in 2006, Twitter has gained worldwide popularity with over 500 million registered users to date. Available in over 20 different languages, Twitter has users in almost every country in the world. 

The company describes itself as "the fastest, simplest way to stay close to everything you care about" (Twitter, 2013). Twitter has been used for a variety of purposes in many industries and scenarios, it's a real-time information network that connects users to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what the user find's interesting. The user must find the accounts that appeal to them and follow these accounts, from there they can contribute, or just listen and retrieve real time information. 

The concept is that topics or types of tweets are grouped together by the use of hashtags, words or phrases after a "#". The user can tag other usernames after "@" for these users to make the tweet personal, whether mentioning or replying to them. Users can retweet (using the RT function in messages) or comment on the tweets they see. Unregistered users can read tweets, but you have to own a registered account to be able to post tweets and comment. 

Twitter is an online service, it can be accessed from any laptop or computer through the internet on https://twitter.com. For Twitter on the go, download the 'Twitter' application for free from the ITunes store; compatible with iPhone, iPad, Android, Blackberry and Windows 7 devices. 

Reflection 

Social Media in Technology Enhanced Learning

Today's students are immersed in a social world, Integrating social media like Twitter into the classroom can be an effective way to generate student interest and enthusiasm in traditional school subjects. Students are also more likely to be engaged when classroom structures emphasize group work and active learning. Social media can be an effective route towards enhancing the learning experience. (Martinka, 2012) 

Below is an image taken from Dashburst  displaying the 5 biggest reasons why social media like Twitter is such a powerful and influential tool. 

(Dashburst, Infographic: What Makes Social Media so influential, 2013)

Advocates of social media in the classroom say that, when used properly, social media tools can boost student engagement, link students to content experts and real-world examples of classroom lessons, and help them establish an online body of work (Jukes, 2013). More advantages of incorporating social media platforms such as Twitter include; ease of access, assisting shy students, resource availability, improvement of research skills, improvement of communication, relevant real-life learning, engaging, stimulating and the potential to appear to different learning styles.

 Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of using Twitter as a social media TEL resource would be that students often will get carried away and more easily distracted, so this incorporation needs to be in moderation. While some schools are blocking social media in order to prevent online bullying and access to obscene materials, others are channeling social media in innovative ways that promote learning- and its working. Using tools like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube in the classroom can help students work collaboratively; formulate, express and discuss their viewpoints; and become active participants in classroom discussions. (Martinka, 2012) Twitter can easily be utilised for educational purposes, as displayed in the work sample. The service can be used to share, spread and receive information in an almost immediate fashion.