My Mobile iReporting and Research Experience!

I have posted a few times about citizen journalism or iReporting. Citizen Journalism is when everyday people report on current news or happenings. I decided to become a CNN iReporter earlier this week. On Wednesday, spur of the moment, I decided to drive 2 hours to Grand Rapids Michigan and attend the Barack Obama campaign rally. I'm glad I did since John Edwards showed up, and the atmosphere was electric. Almost like a rock concert. I had seen John McCain a few months before, but it was not the same feeling. Being a former social studies teacher, I enjoy seeing and hearing all of the candidates. While I was waiting in line with some other Ann Arborites at the rally, I remembered that I could use my mobile phone to report to CNN about news and events from the rally. So I took a quick picture of us standing in line. Inside the venue, I took a short video of the "wave" happening in the crowd before Obama arrived. I sent them both to ireport@cnn.com with a short message about the rally. I later found my reports on CNN's ireporter space with my message! Pretty neat! How many people can say they report for CNN!

About an hour before Obama was expected to arrive, a rumor began to sprinkle through the arena that "Edwards" might be coming. Using another favorite mobile reference resource, I called ChaCaha and asked "is John Edwards going to endorse Obama in Michigan tonight." Less than a minute later I received a text message from ChaCha with a link to the CNN mobile article about said "Edwards to Endorse Obama in Grand Rapids"! I sent my cell phone around the aisle---glad I got it back :-), and people began hooting with excitement as the phone with the ChaCha message flew through the row.

Cell Phones hold so much potential for citizen journalism and research/reference information.