I just took a look at my very first Twitter update, and unfortunately I did use the word “forced,” which I regret now because I think it was out of line. (@sethjputnam: “I was forced to join Twitter for class, and I’m not happy about it.”)

I shouldn’t have said that we were forced–there are no grades depending on our Twitter use as of yet. Assigned to join probably would have been the right thing to say. And as far as actual “forced tweets” are concerned, I don’t know where people got that idea.

Let me first apologize for the negative backlash exhibited by myself and others. I know that you guys are conscientiously exploring the uses of social media, and you’re investing so much in trying to figure out how to help journalism and its students.

Sure, some of us are skeptical, but the fact that we’re here says that we’re willing to challenge our cynicism. I’ll admit that I’ve surprisingly found twitter useful as conversation starter, especially about itself. But there are some things that concern me, too.

For me the initial resistance comes from the personal uses of Twitter. Is it important or helpful for people to know that I’m hungry right now? Or that I just woke up? Or that I’m debating between the Asics or the Puma shoes? When I first heard about Twitter (outside the J-school) it was in the context of using it to inform all of your friends (and/or strangers) what you’re doing as you’re doing it. For extended, detailed personal use, I’m having a hard time seeing it as more useful than it is unhelpful because I think that people could be doing something a little more productive with their time.

BUT, from the short time that I’ve been a Twitter user, I can see that it definitely can be helpful in terms of identifying trends, coming up with story ideas, and creating conversations with our audience. So I guess you could say that my initial perceptions have been challenged. I very much agree agree with what Rob is saying–in the end we need to be concerned with what helps us tell the story. I think that’s what the whole sequence of convergence relies upon.

So if Twitter is another way of doing that, let’s check it out. I’m willing to have an open mind and to learn. But there are still some things that concern me.

The point I was trying to make (perhaps not clearly) is that all too often we confuse knowledge of technology with proper use of technology.

I can’t tell you how many faculty meetings I’ve been in when we argue over teaching students this program or that program, when in the end we need to teach them the journalism and not worry so much about the exact tool.

Perhaps a more precise analogy is InDesign/Quark. If you teach someone the principles of design, the end tool doesn’t matter. Sure there are some things that are easier to do on one program than another, but you get the same printed page with either.

I don’t think it’s necessary to force people in the “real world” to join Twitter. When they see how much newsroom leaders (and I’m not just talking editors) benefit from the tool they are intrigued and want to be in on the action. That’s how it is in my newsroom. Those who have really embraced Twitter are leading by example and new Tweeters pick it up by following them.

I can see the reason for forcing students to join Twitter – but in my newsroom experience there is no need to force. Almost everyone is hungry to try it out. They want to be the best journalists they can be and they know social media is part of that.

It actually kind of boggles my mind that college students growing up in the Facebook era are more resistant to it than 45-year-old ink-and-paper veterans. Is my generation becoming burnt out on social media??

My main hesitation: professional journalists shouldn’t be forced to professionally tweet without taking the time to learn the tool. If you don’t understand the community tone of Twitter before you live tweet, you can quickly lose credibility. I guess I keep dwelling on the funeral tweeting situation. That was devastating for journalism. I’d hate to see that happen again.

Classes in the Missouri School of Journalism should consider “forcing” students to use twitter… but the students should be mindful that every word they write is connected to their name. Building a twitter identity before working in a newsroom is a much better process than feeling “forced” while working in the newsroom. The journalism school should think about bringing in a Twitter/Social Media identity building process much earlier in the curriculum. I think I have a better idea on how I’m going present the topic of eportfolios with freshman in April.

I don’t really think likening Twitter to Word is the right analogy. Although I see your point that they’re both just tools. I think the J-school needs to integrate new tools for journalists into the coursework, while maintaining classes on ethics, etc.

Or, the typical quote: “I didn’t come here to learn THAT.” I get that all the time. I’m finding the students here more and more are coming with an agenda of what they want to learn based on what they think journalism is.