Hashtags and retweets: using Twitter to aid Community, Communication and Casual (informal) learning

  • Peter Reed Manchester Metropolitan University
Keywords: Twitter, communication, eLearning, PLEs, Digital Natives/Immigrants, Digital Visitors/Residents

Abstract

Since the evolution of Web 2.0, or the Social Web, the way in which users interact with/on the Internet has seen a massive paradigm shift. Web 2.0 tools and technologies have completely changed the dynamics of the Internet, enabling users to create content; be it text, photographs or video; and furthermore share and collaborate across massive geographic boundaries. As part of this revolution, arguably the most significant tools have been those employing social media. This research project set out to investigate student’s attitudes, perceptions and activity toward the use of Twitter in supporting learning and teaching. In so doing, this paper touches on a number of current debates in higher education, such as the role (and perceived rise) of informal learning; and debates around Digital Natives/Immigrants vs. Digital Residents/Visitors. In presenting early research findings, the author considers the 3Cs of Twitter (T3c): Community, Communication and Casual (informal) learning. Data suggests that students cannot be classed as Digital Natives purely on age and suggests a rethinking of categorisations is necessary. Furthermore, the data suggests students are developing their own personal learning environments (PLEs) based on user choice. Those students who voluntarily engaged with Twitter during this study positively evaluated the tool for use within learning and teaching.

Keywords: Twitter; communication; personal learning environments; Digital Natives/Immigrants; Digital Visitors/Residents

(Published: 12 September 2013)

Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2013, 21: 19692 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v21i0.19692

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Author Biography

Peter Reed, Manchester Metropolitan University

Lecturer & eLearning Support Officer

Learning & Research Technologies

Published
2013-09-12
How to Cite
Reed P. (2013). Hashtags and retweets: using Twitter to aid Community, Communication and Casual (informal) learning. Research in Learning Technology, 21. https://doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v21i0.19692
Section
Original Research Articles