#Edchat, #Edtech, #Elearning, #Edreform, #TEFL, #30Goals, #NewEdblog, and #Nightshift are the hashtags you’ll see me mostly use on Twitter. I have a bit of a romance with hashtags. When you use hashtags on Twitter you are doing more than just categorizing your tweets. Using a hashtag sends a message about you to other followers. If I look at the hashtags you use, then I glean information about you, such as:
what interests you
what you may be a subject matter expert (SME) about
what you like to identify yourself with
what your passions are
who you connect with
what you believe in
When I use these hashtags, this is what I reflect. I am sending my followers messages. They now I am passionate about using technology, especially free web 2.0 tools, effectively with my students (#Edtech and #ELearning). They know I support new education bloggers (#NewEdblog). They know I stay up late sharing music and stories with my dear friends on the #NightShift! These are just a few of the examples. I use many more hashtags and participate in several educational chats on Twitter. Hashtags are part of the language of Twitter. They are searchable links that people can explore and keep current with the latest trends, links, and information in their fields. Hashtags are what allow us to collaborate and communicate with our friends on Twitter. They help establish a community and develop relationships that go far beyond social media and impact our classrooms, schools, and conferences.
Hashtags also help us follow presentations and have a back channel with others about the presentation in real-time. I love seeing live presentations and chatting with my friends about it on Twitter. It is a shared experience that connects us.
TwapperKeeper– Archive any hashtag, keyword, or person’s tweets. Enter the start date, order, timeframe, and limit. When your archive is ready, the service will tweet you. This is a hard copy of your tweets for your hard drive or to send others.
Summarizr– Find out detailed analytics of any hashtag discussion archived through Twapper Keeper
The Archivist– The main way Jerry Swiatek archives #Edchattranscripts. This only works with a PC and is software you download. This gives you more control of your archive so you have a hard copy as well as the ability to include this in a wiki, blog, or website.
What the Hash Tag– This site is mentioned again because if you register your Twitter hashtag, then you can add links to important blog posts, include a description, receive statistics about the hashtag, and receive free transcripts for a month. To save the transcripts simply copy and paste them in a wiki, blog, or document. You can also save them as PDF.
Tweet Doc– Archive any hashtag or keyword in a PDF file. You can set up the date and time ranges, tweet limits and company logos.
Google Reader– Use your Google Reader account to subscribe to your favorite hashtags. Then create a Bundle which will allow you to export all the materials onto a website which automatically updates. To save a hard copy then save as a PDF.
Tweet Grid– Follow hashtag discussions easily in various columns. I use this free service along with Tweetdeck to moderate #Edchat
Tweet Chat– Follow hashtag discussions easily and every tweet you send has the hashtag you want already added.
Useful Videos
Using Tweet Deck for Hashtag Discussions
#Edchat: Join the Movement
Challenge:
If you are not currently using hashtags, choose a couple you feel comfortable using and tweet with them.
