Tuesday, March 10, 2009

#educhat




What the heck is #Educhat?

Basically this is a way for Twitter users to get together and discuss topics based on predetermine themes in real time. One of the major advantages Twitter has is the ability for a quick exchange of information. By adding a code or "#" hash tag such as #educhat to your tweets they can be cataloged in one place which is easy for viewing. This would be similar to one really large CHAT session using Twitter. Rodd Lucier founded the #educhat stream.

"Educhat is one example of the potential of twitter-based synchronous events. Modeled after #journchat discussions, which are ongoing conversations among journalists, the educhat format/context has the potential to create a specific framework within twitter for having education-related discussions and tracking those discussions using the hashtag #educhat."
As Stated on the Twitter for Teachers WIKI
Users can access the TWEETS or comments related to #educhat by using their browsers to visit a site such as Twitter Search. This site will list all of the TWEETS or comments made by the participants. Just search #educhat.

The pace is very very fast but you will get used to it. The key is to have some topics you would like to discuss ready so you can through it out there and see what comes back.

Why would I do this?


This is a great question! I believe you can:
  1. reach may different educators from all over the world and get their input in a relatively short period of time.
  2. make contacts from all over the world
  3. make you voice known on issue concerning others
  4. Get involved with web 2.0 technology! Your students live here...
  5. free, self directed PD!

I grabbed all the tweets and filtered all the extra stuff out of there to create this Wordle Word Cloud to show some of the themes of the 1st #educhat



Click the Wordle for a bigger view.

How do I get Involved?

In order to get involved you need to understand what twitter is. This is an online service that allows you let people know what you are doing in 140 characters or less. Essentially it is a micro blog. "Why would anyone care what I have to say?" is a question new twitter users may be asking. The best way to use twitter is to find other users who have the same interests as you. Once you find someone on twitter with the same interests you can "follow" them. There "tweets" or 140 character comments will then show up on your twitter page for you to view. Eventually people will find you and follow your updates.

Twitter allows you to form a Personal Learning Network. You can ask questions, answer questions or look for feedback. If you are interested there are links below to help you get started.

STEP ONE:

Get a TWITTER ACCOUNT!

Click the links below to create your own twitter account and then find out when the next #educhat is going to occur. Go ahead get your feet wet!

This is all well and good but what is Twitter? Click Here.

If you are interested in participating in the #educhat synchronous discussions, please click on this link "The Launch of Educhat".

Cluster Map