Twitter Wrap-up

Seeing as this is the last week for Twitter/microblogging as a topic, I thought a wrap up would be a good idea.

As I've previously shared, Twitter allows for subscribers to share thoughts, pictures, or links to other sites or information via short messages of 140 characters or less. These messages can be sent though the Twitter or other microblogging site, cell phone with SMS capabilities, or a variety of hand held devices such as any smartphone, PDA with internet capabilities, or even ipod itouch.

While Twitter is beneficial in allowing individuals to share with one another, since a lot of "tweets" or messages sent involve personal information, impersonation is also a concern, but Twitter has begun to make strides in account verification for larger named accounts such as celebrities, some politicians, and large organizations such as the CDC.

Twitter is a useful application in providing a short burst of information, but since it does not stand on it's own and provide a forum for longer messages, it lacks in that aspect. However, if Twitter could begin to provide a method for users to still use short SMS updates, but also house the longer messages on the same server, it would be far more beneficial and functional for those looking to educate others in a variety of subjects.

There are also other improvements that should be considered, including the option to create groups to send information to specific individuals, opposed to all of your "followers". Expanded profiles are also something that could potentially be worthwhile for users in assisting them help find other individuals to follow.

Though the typical user does not use Twitter or microblogging for education purposes, it's an avenue that should be looked into for teachers, or even classmates to communicate with one another. It is an application that has it's place and is useful, as long as indivilduals understand it's current limitations and how to use it best for their purposes.