Learning through social media is becoming more prevalent in both school and businesses alike; however, the manner in which the information is being presented depends on the social media site. One of the newer social media sites, Elgg, allows for logical organization of a social network. For example, it offers blogging and micro-blogging capabilities as well as file sharing and networking groups. While sites such as Facebook and Twitter can certainly be used for learning, Elgg offers a more sophisticated approach through use of social media. It is not to say that one social media site trumps another in terms of effectiveness and functionality, each serves its own purpose in sharing information. Elgg focuses on hard, cold information and developing a strong social network while Facebook caters to more trivial and personal information. Twitter is more of a separate entity on its own. As a micro-blogging tool, it expedites smaller bits of information and is up to the minute. Each can be used as a learning tool; it just depends on the type of information that is desired.

Elgg, Facebook, and Twitter foster learning in a way that is different from other types of online learning. Through social media, people learn from interacting with one another by sharing information. Other types of online learning, such as eLearning, present information in a way that is more structured and self-paced. The difference between the two is the way the information is communicated, not necessarily how it is absorbed by the learner.

-Meghan McSloy

Ed Stengel Uncategorized eLearning, elgg, facebook, micro-blogging, social media, twitter

Free, fast and accessible. These three qualities are what attract people to micro-blogging sites such as Twitter. While it is easy to write Twitter off as just another way to let the world know what you are doing every minute of the day, it can also be used as a useful learning tool. Through Twitter, information is presented in a way that sparks conversation. Anyone who owns a Twitter account is free to comment and then converse with others about a specific topic. One advantage of learning through micro-blogging is that it is fast and efficient. Tidbits of information are presented in 140  characters or less, providing an easy to read anecdote. Since people today are generally looking for a quick fix, and the 140 character limit enables businesses to share the most important facts about themselves.

Similarly, news and media outlets are able to constantly relay new information as it becomes available. Software companies share tips and tricks about their computer programs to better serve their users. With micro-blogging, we are able to learn new things every minute of the day.

-Meghan McSloy

Ed Stengel Uncategorized micro-blogging, twitter