Quick Comparisons of Social Media Platforms
On this page, we've condensed the most important information for the four social media platforms we've selected that you will need for classroom implementation. This is a quick, at-a-glance view of what you can expect from each platform and how they compare to one another. For more detailed information, visit the four platform pages, either by clicking on the heading columns below or on the page headings at the top of the site.
Age of Use
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13 years and older
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All ages, with direction
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All ages, with direction
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All ages, with direction
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How Information is Shared
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Written status updates, facebook instant chat, facebook message (private to one individual), pictures, videos
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"Tweets," 140 characters of written content
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Written content, comment responses
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Video content, comment responses
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Length of Communication
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Ranges from a few words to a few paragraphs, but typically is used to share thoughts in a few sentences via a status update, comment, or wall post
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Maximum of 140 characters
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Varying from a few sentences to longer paragraphs/essays
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Varying from a few seconds to longer videos
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Required Equipment
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Email address, log in/password, personal page/group page, computer, internet connection
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Email address, computer, internet connection, username
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Computer, internet connection, username
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Computer, internet connection, camera
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Scale of Audience
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Can be limited to only friends of user or group, specifically selected people, or expanded to all users with a facebook account
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Can be limited to only your specific followers or expanded to users of twitter with similar interests or hashtags
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Can be limited to in class use, limited link use, or expanded to worldwide access
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Can be limited to in class use, limited link use, or expanded to worldwide access
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Which one is RIGHT for your classroom?
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Use facebook as your classroom hub. You can have a page for your class and post assignments, discussion topics, feedback, etc. It is also a great way to connect with other teachers, students and classrooms around the world.
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Twitter is a great, concise way to use social media in your classroom. The limit of 140 characters is a great way to have students summarize or use their creativity for an assignment on twitter. It gets straight to the point.
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Use blogging for developing written communication skills, increasing student investment in writing, and sharing written work with others
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Use vlogging for ideas that can be best understood through visuals and for students who enjoy speaking instead of writing to display their knowledge
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