In my last post, I gave you some tools to help you manage your Twitterverse. Now that you’ve learned how to use some tools to help you stay up-to-date, I want to share with you some info about the two types of Twitter chats. (Back up - there are two types of Twitter chats? Yes!) Traditional Twitter ChatThe most common type of Twitter chat is a public conversation attached to one unique hashtag. One or more predesignated moderators will ask questions at regular intervals. Anyone can follow along and participate. They are typically recurring and revolve around the same general topics each time. They are usually an hour long (some are even shorter!), so I am not committed to spending a lot of time participating, and they are isolated. If I miss a chat one week, I can jump right back in the following week without missing a beat. There are two reasons I find Twitter chats to be a powerful PL experience: 1) Every individual Twitter chat provides an opportunity to think about great questions surrounding my areas of interest. (I only use a professional Twitter, so my interests are always related to education, technology, and leadership). I always walk away inspired, and usually with at least one great resource or idea to delve into further. 2) You make great connections with other people who share your interests. I have found and connected to some incredibly inspirational people just by joining Twitter chats. This is a great way to grow your circle of inspiration and “meet” educators who contribute some incredible resources to the Twitterverse. This is really what building a PLN is all about! Admittedly, Twitter chats can feel pretty fast and furious, and while that makes them exciting, it can also feel overwhelming at types. If that’s not your thing, you might like... Slow ChatsSlow chats work in many ways just like a regular Twitter chat. Both types of chats focus on a specific topic, and the moderator(s) will ask questions at regular intervals. The difference is that Twitter slow chats span a week rather than an hour. Participants answer the questions (usually one question per day) throughout the week at their own pace. The moderator of the chat then has more time to ask follow-up questions to the whole chat or to a specific participant. This format can allow for more opportunities for deeper thinking or to seek better understanding of someone’s response. Join the ConversationNow that you know the difference between the two types of Twitter chats, it is beneficial to understand the format so that you are comfortable engaging. Usually a Twitter chat will start with the moderator asking you to introduce yourself. You’ll want to include your name (first name only is fine), and it’s also nice to include a little bit of your background so that the other participants understand your role in education. There are also fun ways to introduce yourself, such as including your Bitmoji (in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a big fan!) or a funny .gif. Most Twitter chats follow the Q/A format, meaning that each question will be labeled Q___ (with the question number). When you answer that question, you start your answer with A___ to signify which question you’re answering. During the chat, you can answer the questions, read other answers, and reply or ask follow-up questions. It’s always fun when someone affirms your opinions, or asks a great follow-up question to challenge your thinking. It’s how we grow! Twitter chats have become one of my favorite modalities of PL because they are quick, connect me to individuals who challenge me to be better, and can happen anytime, anywhere for personalized learning. Some of my personal favorite chats are: What are some of your favorite chats? What tips do you have for someone new to Twitter or Twitter chats? Share in the comments!
1 Comment
Crystal Roach
1/6/2018 06:01:41 pm
I think one of the best things to do on Twitter is to find a trusted educator and follow some/most of the educators they follow to grow your network. Then look at who those educators follow and follow some of theirs. Quick way to find relevant and valuable people.
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