Blog About Twitter

The concept and driving force behind Twitter is microblgging.  The character restriction on Twitter is a factor that helps differentiate it from other forms of social networking.  Given that the user is restricted to 140 characters, largely influences what is updated, communicated and shared.  I think this character restriction has shaped and defined what Twitter has become - an immense feed of short posts which are largely personal, that have also tools for marketing and communication.

Twitter can be whatever we make of it because there are no rules; it depends on what the user uses it for as well as how.  Thus, in comparison with a Blackboard discussion Twitter is fairly different.  Twitter discussions are quick, receiving constant tweets.  A mere keyword or question can generate responses from numerous users.  On the other hand, Blackboard discussions are more structured in which users post comments or answers to questions via threads.  Other users can comment on a thread through another thread and so on.  These threads are not limited to 140 characters, and because of this the discussions do not have the quickness or continuity of simple responses that Twitter discussions do.  Discussions on Blackboard are limited to certain users; because of this there is no opportunity of missing a threaded response like there is on Twitter given its public nature.  Despite this, I think Blackboard conversations are probably more profound and meaningful.  Now, I recognize al the benefits and new uses for Twitter, and may very well change my mind as the course progresses and begin to use Twitter myself.  However, as of now I think Blackboard conversations, despite its rigid structure and interface, is better for discussing and expressing well thought out thoughts.  Twitter, on the other hand, is best at inviting others to pitch in on a short tweet. 

I think that discussions in class and Twitter have more common ground than the previous forms did.  Discussions via these methods incite sporadic contributions and expression of ideas.  Of course, certain elements like actual face-to-face interaction is not plausible via Twitter, yet, I think Twitter achieves the same, if not more richness in discussions because of the nature of tweets.  However, like Blackboard discussions, in class ones are limited to those present.  Of course meaningful exchange will occur and ideas will be communicated and developed.  Yet, it simply will not be completely open to the millions of users Twitter has.  This, however, I believe is one great aspect of Twitter; the ability to search a topic of interest or keyword and tweet away with others tweeting the same topic is limitless.  Moreover, like the article "50 Ways to Use Twitter in the College Classroom" states, Twitter offers new ways to open lines of communication.  Twitter is so rich in access that it facilitates collaboration and brainstorming.   The article "Professor Encourages Students to Pass Notes During Class- via Twitter" offers an innovative way to communicate in the classroom.  This takes in class discussions a step further because tweets are encouraged during class and can being up new discussions resulting from questions students may fear asking  or posted links.  Thus, new discussions are prompted and enriched in class.

Overall I believe that what differentiates Twitter from Blackboard and in class discussions is the content of what is exchanged.  Given the different forms of communicating the three have, so to does the content.  Maybe Twitter and Blackboard discussions lack fact to face interaction whereas in class ones don't.  However each is strong in its own way because it has strengths that are particular to the medium that it is.