Although similar, macro- and micro-blogging differ from one another in important ways. Recognizing those distinctions can help instructors find new ways to engage learners and improve outcomes.
Blogging or "Web-logging" has been used in instruction for years now and with it have emerged new and exciting possibilities for instruction, such as benefiting students in various academic disciplines and providing instructors with various added perspectives by including students' personal voices in the learning process. More recently, however, attention has been on another form, called "micro-blogging," which uses platforms such as Twitter, FriendFeed, or Floss.pro. The distinctions between the two kinds of platforms create unique opportunities for instruction and student engagement.
Differences Between Macro- and Micro-Blogging
It is important to begin with an understanding of the main differences in the micro and macro environments and also how those differences affect instructional settings. Although there can be specific software or platform differences, in general, the application and use differences can be categorized as follows: