This document provides information about 13 education-focused Twitter chats that teachers can participate in to discuss topics of interest, connect with other educators, and improve their professional practice. It lists the hashtags, topics, and times for popular chats like #edchat, #edtechchat, #tlap, #satchat, and #flipclass. Advice is given for following and participating in chats, such as using tools like Tweetdeck to track discussions and remembering to include the chat hashtag. Teachers are encouraged to use chats to build their professional learning networks.

1. 13 Education Twitter Chats
Virtual Meetings for Educators

2. Introduction
Education Twitter chats take place when a group of educators
"meet" on Twitter at an agreed upon time, using an agreed
upon hashtag, to discuss topics of interest in education.
Twitter chats range from small discussions with only a few
participants to huge conversations with dozens or even
hundreds of educators taking part! They provide a unique
opportunity for educators to discuss specific topics of
interest and connect with colleagues around the world.
The word from educators in the trenches is that these chats are
making a profound difference in how educators are
improving their professional practice, providing ideas,
resources and inspiration in ways never thought possible.

3. Twitter Chat Tips and Instructions

Use a tool like Tweetdeck, Tweetchat, or Twubs to follow that chat. On a mobile
device, you may find an app like Hootsuite to be helpful.

When participating in a chat, don't forget to include the chat hashtag, prefaced by
the # sign, or else chat participants will miss your Tweets! Some tools, like Tweetchat,
will append the hashtag automatically. It's easy to forget when you are deep in a
discussion, so get in the habit of double checking your tweets before hitting "send."

Some chats move very quickly and it can be difficult to keep with all the chatter.
Don't be intimidated or feel that you have to read everything! Just catch what you
can. Many chats are archived afterwards and can be a gold mine of valuable
information and resources. Often, a link to the archive will be shared at the end of
the chat. Or, just do a Google search for the chat hashtag and the word "archives."
For example, a search for "edchat archives" brings you quickly to the #edchat
archive at edchat.pbworks.com.

Participating in Twitter chats is a great way to build your Personal Learning Network.
Twitter chats attract passionate educators who are dedicated to lifelong learning,
improving their professional practice, and sharing resources with others. Follow
people with whom you interact, or who tweet helpful resources and/or comments
that resonate with you. Chats provide terrific opportunities for relationship building!

4. Twitter Chats

5.  #edchat: Considerd the "grandfather" of educational chats,
#edchat is one of the most popular chats and is held on
Tuesdays from 12 to 1 and 7 to 8 pm Eastern Time. This fast
moving chat attracts participants from all over the world to
discuss a variety of topics related to education. You'll also find
interesting discussions and resources shared by searching for
this hashtag during the week. Learn more
at edchat.pbworks.com.
 #edtechchat: is dedicated to all things related to Education
Technology and takes place Mondays from 8 to 9 pm Eastern
Time. If you are interested in education technology, you'll find
inspiring discussions and valuable resources here. Archives are
found at edtechchat.wikispaces.com and podcast discussions
of each week's chat can be found here on the Bam Radio
network.
 #tlap: Looking for inspiration? #tlap was inspired by the
fabulous book "Teach Like a Pirate" by Dave Burgess
(@burgessdave) and attracts passionate, creative educators
seeking to improve their professional practice. Set sail with yer
fellow pirates on Mondays 9 pm ET. Ahoy, matey!

6.  #satchat: Fascinating discussions about education and leadership are
held on Saturday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 am Eastern Time. This chat
attracts a great combination of teachers and administrators, with
inspired results!
 If you aren't up that early on weekends, you can catch #satchatwc
(Satchat West Coast) at 10:30 am ET. For a uniquely global discussion,
#satchatoc attracts a lot of international participants and is held
Friday nights at 8:00 pm ET. Learn more at the satchat website.
 #flipclass: Interested in flipping your classroom? Join the #flipclass
chat on Monday nights from 8 to 9 pm. Exchange ideas, resources,
and best practices with enthusiastic educators participating in the
flipped classroom movement. Archives and more information
at flippedlearning.org/domain/26.
 #sschat: This can't-miss chat for History/Social Studies teachers takes
place Mondays from 7 to 8 pm. English teachers should check out the
#engchat discussion held at the same time. On the last Monday of
the month check out #engsschat, when the two combine
communities in a shared chat. Learn more about the #sschat
community on its ning and about #engchat at engchat.org.

7.  #ptchat: The goal behind #ptchat is to encourage a
transparent & collaborative dialogue between parents &
educators. You'll find these fascinating and thought
provoking discussions on Wednesday nights at 9 pm ET.
Learn more at efacetoday.blogspot.com/p/parentteacher-chats.html.
 #kinderchat: If you are interested in early childhood
education, check out #kinderchat on Mondays at 9 pm ET.
This popular chat recently added an additional discussion
at 3:30 pm ET to accommodate overseas participants.
Learn about this inspiring community on the kinderchat
website.
 #digcit: This chat discusses best practices in teaching Digital
Citizenship and Literacy on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of the month from 7 to 8 pm ET. Find out more
information at gonevirtual.org/digcit.html.

8. Sources and Information
 Want to learn more about Education Twitter chats? Jerry
Blumengarten (@cybraryman1) has some terrific
resources on his website. For specific tips, check out his
"How to Chat" page and his "Twitter Chat" page.
 Read more at
http://thejournal.com/articles/2013/09/23/13-twitterchats-for-educators.aspx#VuI4iX3b8zcMoquv.99