Blog about Twitter

Twitter is a microblog that is a great tool for getting quick and up to date information on assorted topics, even for students it has countless uses such as a place to explore research subjects on different ideas for assignments, including generating project concepts by using the 'hashtag' symbol to pull up related information and even help when searching through a slew of tweets, and since most tweets will eventually lead to current links where more information can be found from most media outlets and even from researchers and reporters who also have their own twitter page, it makes the process quick and manageable. Twitter also can help connect classmates for brainstorming sessions, ask questions, get advice and even answer inquiries from others they follow or who follow them (such as professors) which makes it accessible for collaborating helpful. Additionally, the Twitter app makes it simple to access posts, get feedback and respond in real-time from any smartphone or electronic device, and from any place or location. Furthermore, we can get prompt information on current events, emergency alerts and breaking news notifications immediately that can inform everyone of any dangerous situations and even receive other types of reports. Plus, just like most regular blogs and wiki’s, Twitter’s interface is also easy to understand, quick to navigate and learn and it’s also completely free to use. The disadvantage is that Twitter limits the total amount of characters that can be typed, meaning that the information has to be shortened and compacted or you’ll wind up writing multiple tweets to get a point across. Furthermore, there can also be a lag time from when the tweet is first posted, and when others respond, plus the twitter page can also get cluttered with multiple followers posting and responding that might lead to distractions and can potentially get lost among all the other tweets especially if interest on the topic has waned and something else comes along that will distract the user’s attention. However, with Twitter, you have to also be creative when posting tweets because of the limited space but you can also get your message across quickly and in real-time and by adding ‘RT@’ you can conveniently find and respond to older posts.

Blackboard is a virtual learning environment and management system that is kind of like a cross between a blog and a discussion board that offers a one-stop place for everything related to each class, per semester and where the students can access individual class information such as syllabus, group discussions, course calendar, and assignments all in one location. The information on Blackboard is organized by class subject meaning that you can effortlessly access only that particular class information you need at that time and because it’s all separated by subjects, this makes it straightforward so that class assignments and due dates don’t get confused or crossed with other classes. Also, on Blackboard, you have a sidebar that has topics organized like a bookmark that the professor sets up so students can know where to find the most important and relevant information for the class. Additionally, the home page offers further information such as announcements, tasks, test grades, due dates, personal information and much more. Moreover, students can modify the homepage layout and even customize settings so that they can receive alerts and notifications when the teacher has posted assignments or classmates have responded to a group discussion board thread. Plus, Blackboard offers professors the extra flexibility to personalize and customize their Blackboard section that best suits the class needs, so each section is tailored differently from one course to the next. Furthermore, instructors can also administer exams, post grades for each assignment and give the unweighted sum of all grades for a student, plus give feedback and comment on student's posts and assignments. It’s also more secured and private since it uses authentication protocols and only those within a class have direct access to the information the teacher posts. However, Blackboard responses are much slower and can lag behind from the time the information is added or posted and when students would receive them. Because Blackboard is geared towards only students and classes, the only information that will be found here is isolated to only the particular classes and school that the student is enrolled in and attends. But, since Blackboard is a closed social networking site and a web-based server it can be accessed from anyplace.

The advantage with in-class discussion is that you get real-time feedback from the professor and classmates and the discussions are usually more active and livelier. Students can pose a question and get multiple perspectives and responses from the professor and classmates, and they can debate their points of view in a safe environment that is monitored and supervised by the professor who can interject when things start getting heated. Also, students who might not understand an assignment can get quick clarity and even meet with the professor before or after class if they have any concerns about projects or grades. It gives students a feeling of emotional connection that can build rapport between themselves and the professor and among fellow classmates it can lead to friendships outside of the classroom. However, the drawback is that the discussion usually only last within the class period and if anyone has additional questions or comments they would either have to continue the discussion after class and maybe meet up at the library or cafeteria, email the professor and hope they get a quick response or schedule a meeting time during office hours, or maybe ask classmates for their phone number or email or wait until the next class date which could be the following week.

Personally, overall I do prefer Blackboard, though it can be upgraded and improved upon. However, I find it to be more useful, effective and productive when combined with in-class discussions. However, what I like about it is that all the information I need for all my classes are all set in one place which makes it easy for me to see what assignments are due next, keep track of my progress and to get grades as soon as they are posted. I can even ask my professor questions through Blackboard or even email them too. I only wished that Baruch College had an app like other CUNY colleges that integrates Blackboard, email, Degreeworks, CUNY-First and other services so that I can quickly check class statues from a professor or if a classmate posted something and if I need to response Immediately to something important. However, I can still access Blackboard from any electronic device with internet service.