Social media is a web service that provides a public platform for opinion sharing that allows users to interact, share information, and create web content.
This social media
tool is particularly effective when it comes to teaching and learning. It
provides a more flexible, faster and hassle-free platform to share and exchange
information which enables users to read and post short messages called tweets.
What is Twitter and why its so popular
Twitter is one of the most popular websites which launched in July 2006 now has more than 353 million monthly active users and still consistently increases.
It is also among the
most influential social media, social networking and microblogging website
that have changed the way people communicate.
According to the latest figures the number of Twitter users in India is 1.75 crore.
Interesting facts about Twitter
- Earlier Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters but later it was updated to 280 characters and users are also able to upload photos or short videos.
- Twitter market cap was around $936 billion By October 2020, it was developed as a project of podcasting platform Odeo by some former Google employees.
- As per Similar Web, Twitter ranked 4th globally for web traffic in October 2020.
- Although Twitter contributes lots and shows their significance in each field either Political, social or education you can find the twitter presence everywhere.
- Twitter allows you to easily raise concern through tweets and retweets keep up-to-date with the latest news and developments.
Twitter useful to share information to improve education system.
In an era when technology has become interwoven with teaching, social media has emerged as a communication medium for teaching and learning.
Online courses classrooms and instructors are integrating with media tools weblinks, audio and video materials, and virtual groups. Researchers understand how those social media tools can impact the learning process.
Twitter is a social media tool that allows users to send and receive messages, as Twitter grows in popularity more instructors are beginning to experiment with Twitter as a teaching tool and educators in many fields use social media in and outside of the classroom.
As instructor Twitter use becomes more prevalent it is timely to question the effects of using Twitter as a mode of public communication with students.
Effective
communication between instructor and student is vital to the student’s learning
experience.
Outside of the
classroom setting, communication can take on many forms. Informal communication
with instructors can positively influence student perceptions of trust.
Potential Impacts for Social & economical activities
Twitter could help break down the instructor-student boundary that exists in the classroom, which might lead to more motivated students.
When an instructor
has a Twitter account that is used to interact with students, it shows that the
instructor is willing to talk outside of class and office hours. Using Twitter
also makes the instructor seem more relatable, personable, and approachable.
Faster Communication
Twitter is a faster and more reliable way to
share information where students can post any news regarding their
education. It takes only a click of mouse to communicate any information
through Twitter whether it is about a change in syllabus or an upcoming event
on campus.
All of this
information can be shared within seconds. Similarly, teachers and students can
exchange opinions on different topics, such as current affairs. Using this
platform for information exchange saves both their time and energy.
Get Organized
Twitter is a
next-generation tool that can play a role for students to develop skills with
using new social media. It allows them to interact with the teachers or fellow
students through blogging or other social media websites.
For example, if a
student owns a blog, then using social media buttons, such as Twitter, will
allow him to read real-time comments and posts from the visitors.
For example, if you
are a busy teacher or a part-time working student, using Twitter can help you
interact with your associates using blogs, websites and other social media
platforms. So, if you are busy with other students, you can post a lesson,
assignment or even an announcement using your blog.
And if you are a
studious student, you can use this tool to chat with your classmates or
teachers, reducing your work-related stress and anxiety to a minimum.
Information Exchange
Considering the
current flow of knowledge and skills through video-sharing websites, Twitter
can play an important role to impart knowledge.
By affiliating with
any video-sharing
websites, you can easily share videos, showing
‘how-to’ tips for performing a task, such as playing guitar or how to use an
eBook reader.
Now teachers and
students can exchange valuable knowledge and skills using the power of Twitter.
So now you can expect a more efficient and faster way to teach or learn.
Social Media Marketing
With Twitter and other
popular social media networking websites, businesses have found a new and
productive way to attract potential customers. This has caused a drastic
increase in the demand of social media marketing and if you are someone who is
hunting for a career in marketing then Twitter is the tool of your targeted
industry.
Using twitter
provides you with a practical knowledge of how to use social media marketing to
attract customers. So, if you have an interest in doing MBA in marketing, then
using Twitter can give you a foundation to build your skills with social media
marketing.
Having an experience in social media marketing will definitely help you with getting a good first job after your graduation, increasing your chances of having a well-paid marketing job.
What are the disadvantages of using twitter
- Having such an online platform still some common concern still comes in mind that improper use of technology can cause some adverse effects.
- Here we need to highlight some points while introducing twitter to take maximum advantage from this social micro-blogging website.
- Student/teacher relationships should not go much further than the classroom as there is some limitation mutual respect and coordination should be maintained.
- Violating classroom ethics, decorum and wasting of time beyond expectations can affect focus on study and teaching practices.
- Unwanted use of twitter can raise issues of the credibility of instructor professionalism and student professionalism.
- Negative or biased tweets that could harm an instructor’s credibility or get them fired from their job on the other hand can impact student study.
Twitter Controversy
Has Twitter Really Lost Its Legal protection
As per recent development government has had several
disputes with Twitter in the last few months.
Microblogging site Twitter has lost its legal
protection in India for non-compliance with IT rules. Twitter is now liable for
action under the Indian Penal Code for third party illegal content in India.
Twitter got legal protection under Section 79 of the
IT Act. However, Facebook, YouTube, Google, Instagram and WhatsApp will continue
to get this protection.
Why is there a ruckus between Twitter and the government.
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has said that even
a small spark in social media can cause a big fire. Especially the dangers of
fake news are high. Controlling and preventing this was an important rule in
the new IT rules, which Twitter did not follow.
The government says that Twitter has also failed to
address user complaints by refusing to establish a process mandated by the law
of the land. Twitter chooses a flagging policy only if it suits it or has
things to its likes and dislikes.
While experts say that if Twitter does not take
effective steps to fight the menace of fake news/misinformation on its
platform, then India has to come out with effective legal provisions
stipulating the consequences to be faced by social media companies. Is
required.
Experts categorically say that since Twitter, as a
service provider, does not comply with the new IT regulations, the government
may initiate action to prevent them from providing their service in a smooth
manner in the Indian context.
Based on Rule 7 of the IT Rules 2021, if any
intermediary does not comply with the IT Rules, they automatically lose their
statutory exemption from legal liability. In this case, Twitter has lost its
statutory immunity after the expiry of 90 days from February 25 by not
complying with the IT Rules 2021.
However, Twitter has said in its official statement
that the new IT rules of the Government of India have been followed and an
interim Chief Compliance Officer has also been appointed for this.
According to the information, Twitter's moderator
status and the legal protection it has got automatically ended on 26 May due to
non-compliance of the new guidelines. This has happened with every social media
platform that does not comply with IT rules.
Earlier this month, the government issued a notice to Twitter, giving it "one last chance" to immediately comply with the new IT rules. The government had cautioned that if Twitter fails to comply with these rules, it will forfeit its exemption from liability under the IT Act.
Recent update in Twitter
Twitter is rolling out a new feature for iOS app users, enabling users to search through a specific profile's tweets.
The new search button is showing up for individual profile pages, enabling users to search for tweets of a specific account only. This feature has been spotted on the latest version of iOS.
Adjust your trends settings via Twitter for iOS:
In the top menu, tap your profile icon.
- Tap Settings and privacy, then tap Content preferences.
- Under Explore, tap Trends.
- Drag the slider next to Trends for you to turn on and receive personalized trends.
- When the feature is disabled, you can change your location by tapping Change location. In the search box, type your desired Trends location or choose from the list.
Adjust your Trends settings via Twitter for Android:
In the top menu, you will either see a navigation menu icon or your profile icon. Tap whichever icon you have, and select Settings and privacy.
- Tap Content preferences.
- Under Explore, tap Trends.
- Drag the slider next to Trends for you to turn on and receive personalized trends.
- When the feature is disabled, you can change your location by tapping Change location. In the search box, type your desired Trends location or choose from the list.
