Everything you need to know about Twitter Chat

What is Twitter Chat?

Twitter chats are one of the best ways for educators to connect with other educators, exchange and debate ideas, ask for help and provide assistance, find new resources and take action. Simply visit twitter.com, search for a # (that is how chats are categorized and stored for later revisiting).



Why use Twitter Chat?

During #ECGlobal Twitter chats educators meet to engage in conversations by sending out tweets on a topic using a designated hashtag, for example, #ECGlobal or #ARVRinEdu, etc. During the twitter chat you’ll see educators tweet their responses in real time. Whomever is hosting or moderatoring the Twitter chat will pose questions (designated with Q1, Q2…) to prompt responses from the participants (using A1, A2…) and encourage interaction among the group.



How to sign up for a free Twitter account?

Fill out your profile, add a picture and follow at least the leader of the Twitter chat you want to participate in. You can follow the organizers of #ECGlobal by searching for their handles (their Twitter names): @debatchison @reeder_cassie @Butkovicedu @DDicksonEdTech @techamys @kklaster @dkreiness @ClaudioZavalaJr @KatieJMcNamara @teacherofsteele @knikole @JRose_Edu @braveneutrino @educatoralex



How to chat during a conference?

Set up twitter search for the hashtag, #ECGlobal or whatever hashtag is being used for the individual session you want to attend. You can simply click on the hashtag on a tweet to see all of the recent tweets around that Hashtag.



How to participate in a Twitter Chat - Step #1

Whomever is moderating the chat may use a Question and Answer format. They will probably have 5-10 questions to ask during the chat. Below is an example of a #ARVRinEdu session twitter chat during #ECGlobal. The chat normally starts by introducing the topic and asking participants to introduce themselves. Participants respond by including the hashtag for the chat in their tweet (in this example all replies include the hashtags #ECGlobal and #ARVRinEdu).



How to participate in a Twitter Chat - Step #2

Once introductions are finished the moderators will commence guiding the conversation using their questions. Each question normally starts with a Q and a number to indicate which question it is. Participants replies normally start with an A and a number to indicate which question they are answering as well as the chat hashtag. Twitter chats are a conversation — you can add your extra thoughts to any one’s answer by replying to their tweet and including the hashtag. Provided the hashtag is included everyone in the twitter chat will see your reply.



Twitter Chat Etiquette

  • For organizational purposes, always include an "A" followed by the number of the question that you're answering.
    • If I am answering question 2 (Q2), I would include A2 at the beginning of my tweet containing the response or any comments related to that particular question.
  • Always include the chat hashtag in your responses, for our event, include #ECGlobal as well.
  • It’s OK to dip in and out of a Twitter chat. Drop by for the time you have and don’t feel guilty if you can’t stay for the whole thing.
  • Be polite and positive!
  • Don’t be afraid to contribute and jump in! It can be intimidating, but trust me, the moderators and participants will be glad to hear from you!
  • When answering a specific question or comment from another participant, use Twitter handles to identify who you’re speaking to in order to avoid confusion.
  • If starting a tweet with a person’s handle, include a “.” in front of an @ if you want your tweet to show up in everyone’s feeds.



Are there tools that help me to follow a Twitter Chat / multiple chats at one time??

Fortunately, there are a number of sites that allow you to follow the chat and participate more easily.

Just set up a search for the hashtag and all of the tweets with that hashtag should show up in the search window. These apps range in difficulty and also in update speed. I suggest you pick one of these options, drop in a hashtag for an upcoming event and see if it works for you.