Tool 8/8: TweetDeck

For my last communication tool, I decided to go with my new favorite: TweetDeck.  TweetDeck is an app for Twitter users that can streamline your use.  It's very easy to customize by adding and deleting columns to your dashboard.  If you follow certain hashtags on Twitter, TweetDeck lets you see more of them at the same time.  It can take all of the features of Twitter and make them more easily accessible from a single screen.
If I were able to use Twitter in my classroom, I would definitely use TweetDeck.  I use TweetDeck for both my personal and school Twitter accounts now, and I can spend a lot less time on Twitter now while still checking everything that matters to me.  Aside from having everything on one screen, the easy customization is my favorite feature.
Here is my evaluation of TweetDeck:

Evaluating Communication Tools	Needs Improvement	Promising	Good	Excellent
Ease of use	-User requires support in order to navigate tool. -The tool’s purpose and/or application is/are unclear to users.	-User may require some support in order to navigate tool. -Tool can only be used for only one application.	-User is able to navigate tool with little-to-no support. -Tool can be used for at least two different applications (e.g., word processing and audio).	-User is able to navigate tool easily, requiring no support. -Tool can be used for three or more applications (e.g., video, audio, word processing).
Accessibility	-Tool requires app or download. -Is incompatible with or cannot be accessed by regular communication platforms (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile devices, etc.).	-Tool may require app or download. -Is accessible by at least one communication platform (eg., desktop computer/laptop but not mobile devices, tablets, etc.).	-Tool is available in web-based format OR as a mobile app. -Is accessible by more than one technology platform (e.g., desktop computer, mobile phone, tablets).	-Tool is available in web-based format AND as a mobile app. -Can be accessed by desktop, laptop, tablet, and/or any mobile device.
Two-way communication	-Offers no way to communication between users.	-Provides one-way communication between users (e.g., teachers can communicate with parents but not the other way around).	-Provides all users with a way  to communicate directly with each other (e.g., parents with teachers, teachers with students, students with other students). - Offers collaborative features on projects (e.g., students can track changes, reject/accept them, and revise).	-Offers a way to track communication on multiple devices, including original messages sent by MMS and “Cloud” transcripts.   -Past communication is archived and easily searchable.
Comprehensibility to a large audience	-Uses language that is unfamiliar to a majority of the population. -Uses little or no supporting methods of communication (e.g.., icons, images) to support comprehension.	- Uses language familiar to a specific niche or small majority of the population. - Uses some supporting methods of communication (e.g., icons, images) to support comprehension.	- Uses language familiar to a majority of the population. - Effectively uses supporting methods of communication (e.g., icons, images) to support comprehension.	- Uses language familiar to almost all of the population. - Very effective use of supporting methods of communication (e.g., icons, images) to support comprehension.
Information sharing	-Does not allow file sharing. -Does not have the ability to integrate images, files or links into communication. - Does not readily allow for sharing communications through other sites.	-Allows users to share files of at least one format -Limited ability to integrate images, files or links into communication. - Allows users limited ability to share communications through other sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.	- Allows users to share files of various formats. - Users can integrate images, files, or links into communication. - Allows users to share communications through other sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.	- Allows users to share files of all types. - Users can readily integrate files into communication. -Allows users to easily share communications through other sites, accommodating specific social media features (such as 140 characters in a Tweet or image size specifications) by compressing large pieces of information (e.g., URLs are now shortened into stable quick-links like “bitly”).
Fast, efficient communication	-Tool does not notify users of new communication or fails to provide consistent, regular notifications. - Contains many distracting or superfluous features / ads.	-Tool notifies users, but does not do so instantaneously; this notification may show signs of lag. - May contain some distracting or superfluous features / ads.	- Users receive notifications from other users in real-time exchanges. - Designed / laid out for efficiency (i.e., it lacks superfluous features or distracting ads).	-Not only are notifications in real-time, but they are also customizable: the user can turn notifications on or off in his/her settings. - Designed / laid out for maximum efficiency.
Support	-Tool does not have the ability to save work. -No supports are available.	-User must manually save work. -At least one support is available (help menus, tutorials, etc.)	-Tool automatically saves work. -Multiple supports are available (help menus, tutorials, etc.)	-Tool automatically saves work with unlimited storage. -Multiple supports are available (help menus, tutorials, etc.), including live support (help line, chat, etc.)
Archived and indexed for searching	-Tool does not have the ability to archive or index communication.	-Tool has the option to archive and index communication.	-Tool automatically archives communication.	-Tool automatically archives AND indexes communication.

TweetDeck scores a 3.5/4.