Microblogging
From LIS 460 Summer 2007
Contents |
What is Microblogging?
Microblogging is a short messaging service available over the web or cell phone. Users can chose from the following products for microblogging:
Twitter Jaiku groovr dodgeball
A microblogging is a short messaging service and is defined by the limited number of characters (under 200)allowed to send messages. Microblogging is a social networking tool;another example of a Web 2.0 application. Right now, with microblogging services, users send messages to entire groups. It works in a number of formats. The most popular service as of this writing is Twitter. Using their phone, Twitter users send text messages (Tweets) to their network of friends using the number 40404. The service is free, but users should be aware that they could be charged for the text messaging. Twitter is also available to users via the Internet, and instant messaging.
Pownce is a new microblogging application that does not have restrictions on length. In addition, Pownce users can send images and files. Also unlike other microblogging services, Pownce users can create different groups within their network -- they are not restricted to sending an update to the entire group.
A definition from wordspy
Also, Pownce changes things a little because it's microblogging but there is no limit on number of characters. So, how does that fit in?
Good job on the ways that microblogging can be used in the school/library. Your concerns are valid, but I'd like to throw into the mix the idea that librarians and teachers need to connect with students where the students are. If students use texting in order to communicate then shouldn't their educators do the same? Something to ponder.
Microblogging in the news and on the Web
mediashiftblog entry with a guide to Twitter/microblogging
a twitter wiki that offers mashups.
Ways to use Microblogging in School Libraries
Students of LIS 460 have already experienced the benefits of microblogging. By using the microblogging service Twitter, this online class community has been able to share news stories and interesting websites throughout the course.
If a school librarian used a microblogging account, that would offer another avenue of access to students and staff for reference help--especially for adding updates and new information to ongoing research projects.
For classrooms with a constant computer presence, a microblogging service would allow the librarian to trouble-shoot or provide assistance during class presentations without the librarian having to be in the classroom. Yes, there are other services, such as the now familiar, old-hat email -- that could work just as well, in terms of communicating from classroom to LMC, but the ubiquity of microblogging gives it the edge over email, since users can get messages on their phones.
Microblogging offers another way to build a sense of community that email doesn't offer. The way users group into friends and followers and view messages en masse provides a way for a group to connect ideas. Unless someone constantly CCs with their email messages, those messages are only read by sender and receiver.
Perhaps some of the best applications for Twitter -- at this point, the most well-known microblogging service--lie in the mashup applications. For example [1] would allow students to get a scale of their own place in the world, as they watch public twitter messages pop up all over the world. Great potential for a social studies/geography unit.
To recap, microblogging could be useful for LMCs as a tool for: Ready reference to both students and staff Growing and maintaining communities (school/district/statewide) by sharing ideas with the whole group with each message Sharing events such as conferences with peers who are not attending
Issues/Concerns
Twitter and other services are still fairly new. It is not a type of service designed primarily for schools. It's actually a rather frivolous, fun, fringe-y type of service. These are not words typically used to describe anything that goes on in a public school these days.
Realistically, school librarians should be careful about the amount of new technologies they expose to students and staff. If a school is lucky enough to have a community that's enthusiastic about adapting new technologies, and not afraid to try something even if it doesn't turn out to be useful, then that's the best situation. Otherwise, with the relatively untested nature of what this service can offer users withing a school setting, SLMS should carefully consider the benefits of microblogging before introducing it to the school.
