Connecting through Twitter
March 23, 2009| In News, Features, Instructional NewsHow much information can you get across in 140 characters? Based on the popularity of Twitter, the newest craze in social networking, the answer is a lot. Embraced by celebrities and politicians, Twitter is now also being used by ITS Teaching and Learning Interactive (TLI).
Twitter is a micro-blogging service designed to let users communicate using "tweets"- updates in 140 characters or less. Twitter users send out tweets to their followers, who can be any other person or group on Twitter. Tweets share information and keep followers up-to-date through text messaging, instant messaging or the Internet.
TLI joined Twitter several months ago. They have seen a steady growth in followers, ranging from on-campus followers like UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School to tech groups like clickoptimize.com. Using Twitter, TLI informs their followers of their latest news, updates and product upgrades.
"Twitter is just one of many different ways TLI uses to communicate. It doesn’t cost any money, takes only a few minutes to set up and update, and has the potential to reach a wide and different audience," says Kim Eke, TLI manager. "And most important, it’s fun."
TLI uses Twitter to meet and connect not only with groups at UNC-Chapel Hill but also to a wider audience that traditional communication might not reach. For example, one TLI follower works in media at a university in Australia. She found TLI through a Twitter group they both followed, SlideShare. It is this interconnectedness that helps Twitter thrive.
TLI has installed a widget on their homepage that posts Twitter updates live. This widget links to Twitter, letting the user login to Twitter, or follow the feed on the TLI Web site.
