Web 2.0 Review: Foursquare

1.      Short description of the Web 2.0 application or open source software application

I chose to review foursquare, which is a location based form of social networking. Formed in NYC in 2009, it is generally used by people looking to share their current locations with friends, as a means of letting people know where they are and what they are doing.

2.      Describe the target audience for this software.

Given the nature of foursquare, I would assume that the target audience is composed of young, tech-savvy people who live in urban areas where the mobile application is popular. I would imagine that it would be kind of pointless to be one of twenty people using the program in a small town in the Midwest. Given its popularity at Comic Con, South by Southwest, and other techy conventions, foursquare seems to have a nerdy following.

3.      What is the purpose of the software?  How does it work?

The purpose of foursquare is GPS-based social networking. Instead of texting your friends to tell them where to meet you, you simply ‘check-in’ to a venue and the people you accept as friends are able to see your current location. Users can earn badges for certain check-in combinations, adding a game-like nature to the program. For example- you can earn a Barista Badge for checking into five different Starbucks locations. Foursquare works through GPS, or cell towers when/where GPS is unavailable.

4.      Describe the user interface.  Is it easy or difficult to use?  Why or why not?

Foursquare is very easy to use and lacks the flashy graphics found on many mobile apps, usually slowing them down. It is very straightforward and things appear as simple icons or lists making them easy to understand. Further, given the danger of this type of location tracking, foursquare has a crystal clear privacy policy and makes it very easy to protect yourself from the potential harm of letting people know of your exact locations.

5.      Technical requirements.  Does it work on Windows, Apple and Linux?  Are there minimum memory requirements, software that needs to be installed?

Foursquare works as a mobile app on major smart phone platforms- iPhone, Android & BlackBerry (though I believe there is a general mobile site). It must be downloaded from the smart phone’s app catalogue

6.      What browsers does it work with?  Does it require Javascript, Java, ActiveX, Flash, Shockwave or plugins

It works as a mobile app on major smart phone platforms- iPhone, Android & BlackBerry (though I believe there is a general mobile site).

7.      What are the strengths of this software application?

The strengths of foursquare are based in its user-friendliness. It is generally free of bugs and easy to figure out without needing to read complicated directions or trouble shoot. For the super-connected user, foursquare links to twitter and facebook accounts, allowing users to share their check-ins with their friends on other social networks. Businesses are also benefitting from foursquare, via the offering of badges for specific check-ins, as well as special offers for check-ins or mayorships.

8.      What are the weaknesses of this software application?

The weaknesses of foursquare are based in its general youthfulness. It is obviously geared towards younger people who are not paranoid enough to shun it, and its growth as a company is limited as a result. Some people simply think it’s a bad idea to let people know of your constant whereabouts and the places you frequent. Some of the badges that can be earned are also crude in nature, with some based on bar-hopping, frequenting frat houses, and a few with derogatory names and implications.

9.      Provide at least three examples of how you might use this in your science teaching.

Initially, I browsed web 2.0 apps that were typical of the applications you would use in a classroom- chemistry lab simulations, sketchpads, animation creators, etc. Then I realized that foursquare (which I do use amongst my friends) has huge potential in my classroom! While student teaching at John Bowne HS last semester, most of my students were around 16 years old, which is not far off from my fabulous age of 21. The girls in my classes really did think I was their friend, and would always ask me what I did over the weekend, where I shop, and things of that nature. If I were to use foursquare with inner-city students who are generally independent and able to travel, I would definitely be able to encourage them to broaden their horizons and look for science in the world around them. The ways I would use foursquare:

- I would visit places that I would want my students to visit and learn from. Foursquare allows you to add tips to different locations and I would be able to tell my students what to look for in museums, parks, conservatories, arboretums, and beaches.

- I would offer extra credit assignments based on an assignment completed at the aforementioned places…we’ve all pretended to go to the museum at some point in our lives! Foursquare would make it harder for students to cheat and run to google!

- I would hopefully be able to change at least a few lives. A lot of teenagers tend to spend their weekends bumming around and sleeping the day away. If they already admire you and take interest in the things you’re interested in, they might like to visit the places you visit and spend your free time. If they think you’re ‘cool’ and you go bird watching every Sunday afternoon, they might want to do the same!

10.  Include any tips for science teachers.

Obviously, the account you use with your students would not be the same one you use with your friends, and you would not want your students to see you checking into a bar at 2 am. I guess common sense trumps all tips! You probably shouldn’t check into your house either…

11.  Any other comments

Initially, I thought foursquare was the most pointless thing ever.  I joined after a friend nagged me to and never found it to be much fun. I haven’t gotten into it though, and it actually is fun to earn badges! I don’t think I’ll be using it with my sixth graders this year (most of them don’t have cell phones yet, and they are too young to travel around the city at their leisure), but I will definitely give it a try if/when I teach high school students in the future.