Last updated: 10 March 2010
MAKING SENSE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Micro-blogging

If you want to keep in constant touch with people, find out what they are up to, as well as tell them what you are doing, or if you need an immediate answer to a problem or issue, then a micro-blogging service might be what you need.

There are a number of micro-blogging services.  These let you write brief text updates (of up to 140 characters) and broadcast them. People then sign up to follow your messages and you can sign up to follow others and receive their messages.

Whereas many people can see the value of micro-blogging as a tool to support informal learning, educators and others are still exploring its use.  Here are couple of useful articles:

• 7 things you should know about microblogging, Educause, July 2009
• How to use microblogging for education, Pistachio, 7 April 2009

There are a number of micro-blogging services - although the biggest and best known is Twitter - www.twitter.com

Twitter lets you write brief text updates (of up to 140 characters) and broadcast them. People then sign up to follow your messages (aka "updates" or "tweets") and you sign up to follow others.

You can receive information, news and much more from colleagues, friends, celebrities, politicians as well as companies and services.  You can share your own news, links or even ask a question of your followers.  Tweet about a conference or event

Here's a Twitter Workshop by Jane Hart:

Using Twitter for social  learning

See How to use Twitter for Social Learning

Twitter Reading lists:

• Twitter Reading List
• Microblogging Reading List

Tools Directory Listing: Micro-blogging/Lifestreaming tools