Next Stop- Twitter University

Last night was the first time that I participated in a #hashtag discussion on Twitter.  After sitting on my computer for 45 minutes- without getting up for even a bathroom break- I have to say, I am amazed.

I participated (as much as I could) in the weekly #journchat, moderated by @PRsarahevans, on a discussion about journalism, blogging and how they are related and different, how FCC rules apply, etc.  Keeping all of the content Tweeted in my mind as I write this post, I think it is incredible how many people out there participate in these weekly chats.  They are a great learning tool and, even better, a great way to network with other people in your industry.  I am officially a Twitter discussion enthusiast- can’t wait to participate in Thursday’s #u30pro chat about working full-time and freelancing, which I am currently doing to survive as a recent (and broke) college graduate.

While scanning each Tweet as quickly as I could last night, I couldn’t help but notice that some participants were there for a class (didn’t catch what kind of class, I imagine it being some kind of Marketing or Communications class, maybe an extra credit opportunity).  The Tweeters made it known when they entered the discussion, as well as left, by including some other #hashtag specific to their class.

This brings me to my main point- should more classrooms use these discussions as another learning tool for students?  I feel that it is a fantastic way to put students in touch with experts and professionals in their respective industries, not necessarily MarComm.  Not only that, these participations will familiarize anyone with Twitter and how to effectively communicate through the 140 character messages, which takes some time to figure out.  I will pass along these weekly chats to my Communications professors, in hopes that it will involve Social Media more into their curriculum, if not engage their students in eye-opening discussions.

How would you use Twitter discussions in a classroom?  Is there any other Social Media vehicles that provide the same learning experience?

Blah, blah, blah

I really do have a lot to say. According to my mother, that is. NYTimes was the first app I downloaded to my iPhone a year ago, CNN.com is my homepage. And of course, I scan the local newspaper every morning when I get into work.

Combine that with my increasing obsession and fascination with social media and you’ve got yourself a mouth that won’t stop running.

So here I am, with blog #2 and a whole new perspective…on everything. I recently started working full-time at a non-profit organization in Central New Jersey as the Communications Assistant there, and my boss and I sure have a lot to talk about other than social justice and Quark files. However, when I get home to my family, including an 11 year old boy playing the role of “brother,” the fun stops there. Needing another outlet for my word vomit (thanks, LiLo), I turned back to blogging. Let’s see how successful I am this time around.

Some food for thought: Ruder Finn UK’s Laura Strong wrote a post regarding social networking and partnerships between those sites, most recently LinkedIn and Twitter. More specifically, she mentioned three guidelines which I believe should become the “Golden Rules of Status Updating”:

Don’t be rude or abusive about people, projects or a company.
Don’t post rumours or revelations – Twitter never forgets.
Think before you type – some things are better left private.

How’s that for a little cerebral snack? As a recent college graduate (May 2009 represent!), keeping my social networks as clear and censored as possible was my number 1 goal while job hunting, and still is. The lines between audiences with regards to Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter are slowly blurring and while others see each audience for each site as the same, I do not. I think it’s only a matter of time before you crash and burn if you do.

Agree, disagree, or feel neutral? Dish it out here and give me something else to talk about.