recent developments
[Introduction]
Microblogging (and even blogging) has come a long way since it first began in the mid-2000s. There are the more superficial ways in which the different microblogging sites have changed, like the design and layout of the website or being able to “retweet,” but changes have also been made in how they are being used and who is using them. It is no longer just about trying to make a short status update about something that just happened, but more recently, it has become a way for people to get their daily news updates, a marketing tool for businesses, and a tool in education. With these recent developments, also comes larger numbers on microblogging sites.
[Recent Developments]
A recent development in microblogging is how it is becoming a way for people to get their daily source of news and information or little fun facts of the day. There are news sites such as CNN and Breaking News that are on Twitter that break news as soon as it is happening. This allows for people to get real time information in a quicker way than possibly the news channel or even going to those respective news websites. While the information is a more general overview, as there is a character limit, it is enough to let people know that something has happened and then there is usually a link to take them to the site for more details. It is the quickness and efficiency that comes with microblogging sites that makes it an easy place for people to receive their news. In 2012, 36% of people under the age of the 30 saw news from a social networking site (Sonderman, 2012). On top of that, Sonderman then goes on to say that 17% of Americans got their news via a mobile phone. The research also shows that those who get their news from Twitter are sharing it with others. Twitter makes it so easy to share news, or another person’s tweet, with people who are also on Twitter and even those who are not. Twitter makes it easier on the news outlets as well because they can give quick updates as the events are unfolding, and then go and update their websites. When the Waldo Canyon fire broke out in Colorado Springs in 2012, the news stations there were updating people about the fire via Twitter (as well as through traditional news media) because it was an easy way to give quick updates to a large amount of people. Because those news stations were giving updates that quickly, that is how people were able to stay so connected with what was happening. It is not just information like that that people are getting from Twitter, but also quirky, little facts of the day. There are different accounts that provide random information that can leave a person with a “the more you know” feeling. Twitter gradually became this place where it could be classified as a news outlet, because it does provide people with that kind of information and they do not necessarily need to go anywhere else to get it.
More businesses are frequently using microblogging sites like Twitter and Tumblr as another way of marketing and advertising. Companies are now taking to Twitter as a way of communicating with their customers more quickly, thus, being more engaged and (hopefully) helpful (Wirthman, 2013, para. 1). If people have a problem with a product or a company, then there is a possibility that they will reach out to said company on Twitter in order to have their complaint more likely be seen and get a faster response as well. Companies on Twitter are using it to simultaneously promote their project and make more of a connection with those interested in at as well. “Don’t just post endless notes about your business without interacting with a few of your followers and offering valid discussion on their blogs or social media sites,” (Soard, 2014). If businesses actually interact with their customers, then there is a greater chance that they are going to be considered a bit more highly. Even if they are interacting with their followers because of something bad that happened, that interaction is still there. They are hopefully providing the customer with the help that they need. Speed is another factor when it comes to businesses and microblogging. Businesses can attract those who are constantly mobile with just the short snippets of information they provide. It makes it easier for the person to read because they do not have to consume a lot of information when they are short on time (Soard, 2014, para. 4). Graphics that simultaneously provides information to the customer should also be used by businesses on microblog sites. People are more likely to be drawn to a graphic than they are some long-drawn out post, and it also makes it easier to “digest” (Soard, 2014, para. 8). Microblogging has helped businesses not only reach out with their consumers, but it is now easier to talk within the business. Software companies are coming up with microblogging systems that allow the employees to communicate with each other, like they would on Twitter, but it is instead through a program specific for that company. It is easier to stay in the loop on things that are happening across the country and communicate with employees who may have been previously harder to reach (Shah, 2011). That is taking microblogging, and businesses using microblogging, but adding another element to it. The site Yammer also allows for tagging, like one would do on Twitter, saving discussions, and it can also allow posts to be the start of a thread so different employees can join in on the discussion (Shah, 2011). While Yammer and other systems like it are made for businesses and to be used in the business world, it still has properties that make it microblog-esque. Then there are companies on Tumblr and other micro-blogging services that reach a new clientele base by doing so. Conde Naste Traveler posts pictures of different vacation spots and Jetsetter had lists of top places and what do during a weekend getaway. These companies are reaching a different audience by posting over there, and thus bringing in more people to see what they offer.
With constant changes in technology and microblogging, come constant changes in the classroom and in education. More schools, classes, and teachers are beginning to use and utilize microblogging as another source to help teach their students. In a study done about microblogging in higher education, those conducting it found that it does “support informal learning beyond the classroom,” (Ebner, Lienhardt, Rohs, Meyer, 2010, pg. 92). They point out in their research the one of the benefits of microblogging is that it allows for quicker feedback, but at the same time, the limit of 140 characters can pose as a problem. The study took place in a course at a school in Austria over six weeks. At the end of it all, the researchers found out that the students were “learning through communicating on different topics” (Ebner, et al. 2010, pg. 97). The students did this on their own accord and not because they were told that something needed to be learned. Another study conducted by Kassens-Noor goes back to Twitter being used in education to promote more participation from students, but also in the hopes that it will encourage students to have their own discussions and do their own learning outside of the classroom (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). Kassens-Noor also said that by using Twitter in the classroom, it gave students immediate feedback (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). Not only does it provide instant feedback, but using Twitter in the classroom took in-class discussions outside of the classroom. Students shared more, displayed more feelings, and started communicating with people they may never have communicated with before (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). What it comes down to in both these studies is that Twitter has a way of bringing together a shared discussion outside of the classroom. Though there is a small speed bump because of the character limit on Twitter, students are still carrying on these different discussions and learning on the website, regardless of whether or not they may go over the 140 character limit. From first hand knowledge, I can attest to the fact that using Twitter as a part of class amongst both the students and the professor will create discussions and thinking outside of the classroom. Microblogging has taken education to a different place now.
Microblogging (and even blogging) has come a long way since it first began in the mid-2000s. There are the more superficial ways in which the different microblogging sites have changed, like the design and layout of the website or being able to “retweet,” but changes have also been made in how they are being used and who is using them. It is no longer just about trying to make a short status update about something that just happened, but more recently, it has become a way for people to get their daily news updates, a marketing tool for businesses, and a tool in education. With these recent developments, also comes larger numbers on microblogging sites.
[Recent Developments]
A recent development in microblogging is how it is becoming a way for people to get their daily source of news and information or little fun facts of the day. There are news sites such as CNN and Breaking News that are on Twitter that break news as soon as it is happening. This allows for people to get real time information in a quicker way than possibly the news channel or even going to those respective news websites. While the information is a more general overview, as there is a character limit, it is enough to let people know that something has happened and then there is usually a link to take them to the site for more details. It is the quickness and efficiency that comes with microblogging sites that makes it an easy place for people to receive their news. In 2012, 36% of people under the age of the 30 saw news from a social networking site (Sonderman, 2012). On top of that, Sonderman then goes on to say that 17% of Americans got their news via a mobile phone. The research also shows that those who get their news from Twitter are sharing it with others. Twitter makes it so easy to share news, or another person’s tweet, with people who are also on Twitter and even those who are not. Twitter makes it easier on the news outlets as well because they can give quick updates as the events are unfolding, and then go and update their websites. When the Waldo Canyon fire broke out in Colorado Springs in 2012, the news stations there were updating people about the fire via Twitter (as well as through traditional news media) because it was an easy way to give quick updates to a large amount of people. Because those news stations were giving updates that quickly, that is how people were able to stay so connected with what was happening. It is not just information like that that people are getting from Twitter, but also quirky, little facts of the day. There are different accounts that provide random information that can leave a person with a “the more you know” feeling. Twitter gradually became this place where it could be classified as a news outlet, because it does provide people with that kind of information and they do not necessarily need to go anywhere else to get it.
More businesses are frequently using microblogging sites like Twitter and Tumblr as another way of marketing and advertising. Companies are now taking to Twitter as a way of communicating with their customers more quickly, thus, being more engaged and (hopefully) helpful (Wirthman, 2013, para. 1). If people have a problem with a product or a company, then there is a possibility that they will reach out to said company on Twitter in order to have their complaint more likely be seen and get a faster response as well. Companies on Twitter are using it to simultaneously promote their project and make more of a connection with those interested in at as well. “Don’t just post endless notes about your business without interacting with a few of your followers and offering valid discussion on their blogs or social media sites,” (Soard, 2014). If businesses actually interact with their customers, then there is a greater chance that they are going to be considered a bit more highly. Even if they are interacting with their followers because of something bad that happened, that interaction is still there. They are hopefully providing the customer with the help that they need. Speed is another factor when it comes to businesses and microblogging. Businesses can attract those who are constantly mobile with just the short snippets of information they provide. It makes it easier for the person to read because they do not have to consume a lot of information when they are short on time (Soard, 2014, para. 4). Graphics that simultaneously provides information to the customer should also be used by businesses on microblog sites. People are more likely to be drawn to a graphic than they are some long-drawn out post, and it also makes it easier to “digest” (Soard, 2014, para. 8). Microblogging has helped businesses not only reach out with their consumers, but it is now easier to talk within the business. Software companies are coming up with microblogging systems that allow the employees to communicate with each other, like they would on Twitter, but it is instead through a program specific for that company. It is easier to stay in the loop on things that are happening across the country and communicate with employees who may have been previously harder to reach (Shah, 2011). That is taking microblogging, and businesses using microblogging, but adding another element to it. The site Yammer also allows for tagging, like one would do on Twitter, saving discussions, and it can also allow posts to be the start of a thread so different employees can join in on the discussion (Shah, 2011). While Yammer and other systems like it are made for businesses and to be used in the business world, it still has properties that make it microblog-esque. Then there are companies on Tumblr and other micro-blogging services that reach a new clientele base by doing so. Conde Naste Traveler posts pictures of different vacation spots and Jetsetter had lists of top places and what do during a weekend getaway. These companies are reaching a different audience by posting over there, and thus bringing in more people to see what they offer.
With constant changes in technology and microblogging, come constant changes in the classroom and in education. More schools, classes, and teachers are beginning to use and utilize microblogging as another source to help teach their students. In a study done about microblogging in higher education, those conducting it found that it does “support informal learning beyond the classroom,” (Ebner, Lienhardt, Rohs, Meyer, 2010, pg. 92). They point out in their research the one of the benefits of microblogging is that it allows for quicker feedback, but at the same time, the limit of 140 characters can pose as a problem. The study took place in a course at a school in Austria over six weeks. At the end of it all, the researchers found out that the students were “learning through communicating on different topics” (Ebner, et al. 2010, pg. 97). The students did this on their own accord and not because they were told that something needed to be learned. Another study conducted by Kassens-Noor goes back to Twitter being used in education to promote more participation from students, but also in the hopes that it will encourage students to have their own discussions and do their own learning outside of the classroom (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). Kassens-Noor also said that by using Twitter in the classroom, it gave students immediate feedback (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). Not only does it provide instant feedback, but using Twitter in the classroom took in-class discussions outside of the classroom. Students shared more, displayed more feelings, and started communicating with people they may never have communicated with before (Kassens-Noor, 2012, pg. 11). What it comes down to in both these studies is that Twitter has a way of bringing together a shared discussion outside of the classroom. Though there is a small speed bump because of the character limit on Twitter, students are still carrying on these different discussions and learning on the website, regardless of whether or not they may go over the 140 character limit. From first hand knowledge, I can attest to the fact that using Twitter as a part of class amongst both the students and the professor will create discussions and thinking outside of the classroom. Microblogging has taken education to a different place now.