Microblogs in Higher Education - A chance to facilitate informal and process-oriented learning?

  • Authors:

  • Martin Ebner;Conrad Lienhardt;Matthias Rohs;Iris Meyer

  • Affiliations:

  • Computer and Information Services, Social Learning, Steyrergasse 30/I, Graz A-8010, Austria;FH OÖ - Upper Austria University of Applied Sciences School of Management, 1-3 Wehrgrabengasse, Steyr 4400, Austria;University of Zurich, Center for University Teaching and Learning, Hirschengraben 84, Zurich 8001, Switzerland;University of Graz, Universitätsplatz 3/I, Graz 8010, Austria

  • Venue:
  • Computers & Education
  • Year:
  • 2010

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Abstract

Microblogging is one of the latest Web 2.0 technologies. The key elements are online communication using 140 characters and the fact that it involves ''following'' anyone. There has been a great deal of excitement about this in recent months. This paper reports on a research study that was carried out on the use of a microblogging platform for process-oriented learning in Higher Education. Students of the University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria used the tool throughout their course. All postings were carefully tracked, examined and analyzed in order to explore the possibilities offered by microblogging in education. It can be concluded that microblogging should be seen as a completely new form of communication that can support informal learning beyond classrooms.