1. An Introductory Instructional Module on Twitter as a Communication Tool for University Students Matt Spencer University of Hawaii at Mānoa mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

2. 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 mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

3. 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 mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

4. 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? mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

5. 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 mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

6. 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 :: mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

10. Evaluation :: Post module survey asking participants to gauge: –Effectiveness –Difficulty –Areas that worked well –Problem areas Likert scale & open ended questions mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

11. Participants :: 15 students participated Various mix male/female and age range 20-50 yrs Computer & internet use rated very good Self described Twitter use: mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

12. 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) mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

13. 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) mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

14. 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 mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808

15. 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 mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808 more research required

16. Thank You Any questions? mks@hawaii.edu @Yoda808