The teaching profession relies on collaboration, and thanks to technology, educators have the ability to share ideas and information all over the world. One of the more popular forms of online collaboration is the Twitter chat.
What is a Twitter Chat?
As a social media platform, Twitter moves pretty fast. Singular tweets, and conversations around tweets, all mix together in a linear feed that can be difficult to keep up with. Twitter chats are conversations that take place on a specific topic on a specific day and at a specific time. Participants in the chat use a #hashtag specific to that topic, which allows for a search to be conducted on the topic even after the chat has ended. The hashtag also enables Twitter feed organizers such as TweetDeck to keep track of the conversation as it is happening. Chats occur daily, weekly, biweekly, or monthly, and are generally an hour in length.
Ten Twitter Chats for Educators
There are hundreds of Twitter chats available for every educator’s need – state and regional chats, subject area chats, grade level chats – and the topics discussed in these forums provide real, usable solutions for the classroom. If you’re a teacher looking for stimulating discussion to grow your Professional Learning Network (PLN) with Twitter, as well as great information, check out some of these Twitter chats:
1) #edchat
Tuesdays 12PM and 7PM EST
One of the first, longest-running, and largest educational chats on Twitter, this chat happens twice on Tuesdays. Discussed are a wide variety of topics related to education, with participants from all over the world. #edchat archives and upcoming topics can be found here.
2) #edtechchat
Mondays 8PM EST
Using tech in the classroom? This weekly chat focuses on education technology in its various forms. An archive of past #edtechchat Twitter chats can be found here.
3) #cpchat
Wednesdays 8PM EST
Connected principals (the “cp” in cpchat) discussing topics relevant to school leadership and best practices in education.
4) #edtechafterdark
Mondays 10PM EST
For those who can’t participate in #edtechchat earlier in the evening, this chat continues the discussion about educational technology later in the evening. Upcoming topics and archives for #edtechafterdark can be found here.
5) #pbischat
Tuesdays 9PM EST
For educators interested in best practices related to the PBIS framework, this chat encourages dialogue around that topic. Archives for past #pbischat discussions can be found here.
6) #elemchat
Saturdays 6PM EST
The unique challenges facing elementary educators are topics of discussion in this chat, as well as ideas and strategies for meeting these challenges. Archives of past chats and upcoming topics for #elemchat can be found here.
7) #DENchat
Thursdays 8PM EST
The Discovery Educator Network hosts its own weekly general-education chat focused on a variety of topics. Archives can be found here.
8) #mschat
Thursdays 8PM EST
A chat focused on middle school education and the issues and challenges that come with this student group. More information can be found at the #mschat moderator’s blog.
9) #kinderchat
Mondays 8:30PM EST
A chat for early learning educators around the world, focused specifically on students in Kindergarten. Archives, chat calendar, and other information on #kinderchat can be found here.
10) #ntchat
1st & 3rd Wednesdays 8PM EST
Filled with guidance and encouragement for those new to teaching, this chat is designed to share knowledge with those starting out in the educational field. For more information, click here.
For a comprehensive list of Twitter chats available for educators, check out this list of Twitter Chats for Education, which is compiled and managed by a volunteer group of educators. This list covers numerous chats available, ranging from local school districts to curriculum to lesson planning and beyond.
New to Twitter Chats?
If you’ve never participated in a Twitter chat, there is no shortage of advice online regarding the process. However, educational publisher Scholastic has provided two very good tutorials about how Twitter works and how to participate in a chat.
- Twitter for Teachers: A Beginner’s Guide to Getting Started
- Twitter for Teachers 201: Chatting and Best Practices
Twitter chats are a great way to get the perspectives of others in your profession, share ideas, and connect with people all over the world. Give Twitter chats a try – you never know what you might learn!
Do you have a favorite Twitter chat? Share it with us on Twitter, @PBISRewards.
