via http://education.zdnet.com/?p=2417 "Like Twitter, it’s a microblogging site, but it builds in significant additional functionality to support classroom interactions." "When you create an account, you designate yourself as a teacher or student. Teachers can create groups that students join when they create their accounts (students can join multiple groups and teachers can create and/or join multiple groups); when a group is created, the site generates a group code that must be entered to join. Then, messages, files, links, and assignments can be sent to whole groups."
Problem: Malcolm, Zoe, Kaylee, Simon, and River all work together on the same web development team. They are avid Twitter users and want a similar way to broadcast quick messages and updates to everyone on their team. Since these messages may contain confidential information, the team doesn't want them published to their public Twitter timelines or to any followers who are not part of the team. Solution: GroupTweet allows Malcolm and the gang to send messages via Twitter that are instantly broadcasted privately to only the team members.
# store status from GTalk, Yahoo messenger
# send posts from Gtalk, Yahoo as Instant Message
# use it to bookmark URLs
# or write small 'to the point' posts
# threaded discussions on a post
# get closer to existing friends
# and get to know friends of friends