An IntroductoryInstructional Module on Twitteras a Communication Tool for University Students

Matt Spencer

University of Hawaii at Mānoa

Introduction to Twitter ::

• Microblogging web application• Using 140 characters or less• Follow people• Updates or “tweets” include information such as:

– Images– Video– Webpages

• All via hyperlinks

Background Information ::

• Interesting communication & social media tool• News and information filter• “Ah Ha” Moment ::

Island Wide Blackout Dec 2008• Takes time and understanding to become

proficient

Project Formation ::• Do other users have similar barriers to entry?• “60% of new users who sign up do not come

back the following month” (Farhi, 2009)• Why are people not returning?• Would more understanding help?

Project Formation ::• Purpose :: Educate university students on the value and

usefulness of Twitter by providing them with a better understanding of microblogging and its use as a communication tool

• Primary Goal :: Create a viable instructional module on Twitter to educate the target audience

• Secondary Goal :: Find out if having a better understanding would make adoption more likely

Methodology ::

• Format of the module - Interactive PDF• Information from literature review

– What is Twitter– How Does Twitter Work?– How Do I Use Twitter?– What Should I Know?

Module ::

Evaluation ::• Post module survey asking participants to gauge:

– Effectiveness– Difficulty– Areas that worked well– Problem areas

• Likert scale & open ended questions

Participants ::• 15 students participated• Various mix male/female and age range 20-50

yrs• Computer & internet use rated very good• Self described Twitter use:

Findings & Results ::• Provided the basics

(60% strongly agreed, 40% agreed)

• Majority felt they had a better understanding(60% strongly agreed, 33% agreed)

• Questions were meaningful(53% strongly agreed, 47% agreed)

• Majority felt the length of the guide was adequate(40% strongly agreed, 53% agreed)

• Module could be use to educate new users(73% strongly agreed, 27% agreed)

Future Improvements ::• Areas For Improvement

– Navigation (4)“…navigate directly to a certain section or chapter.”

“I was unclear on navigation. Clicked on the answer rather the letter.”

– Wording/Grammer (4)“Make grammatical corrections . . .”

“Some of the questions were awkwardly worded.”

– Design Elements (3)“Some pages seemed crowded…”

– Web/Flash Based (3)– Video (3)

Conclusions ::• At face value, primary goal seems to have been met

– Module provided understanding*– Module provided useful information

• Additional evaluation procedures need to be included for better assessment– Pre test & Post test– Revised survey questions

• Better understanding = better chance for adoption

Conclusions ::

Thank You

Any questions?