You can’t be around Twitter and education long before you get interested in Twitter chats and then dive in. They’re all over the place and you can find a chat for just about any geographic region, subject area, etc. that piques your interest. It’s a simple concept – someone or some people decide that they’d like to moderate a discussion, choose a hashtag, advertise it, and then great discussions happen.
Or at least that’s what it looks like to the participant. How hard could it be?
Last year, for example, one of the Bring IT Together committee, @mcguirp ran a series of chats leading up to the conference. Nightly, there are all kinds of chats available if you care to participate and learn. (or lurk as I tend to do)
Great organizers just make it happen.
As it turns out, after a discussion with Jen Aston, there are so many things to think about. Who knew? Certainly not me; I’ve never hosted one.
In a recent blog post, Jen and Dawn Telfer outlined many of the things that they had to and continue to have to consider.
If you’ve ever wanted to host a Twitter chat, or were just curious as to what happens behind the scenes, it’s a good read. You may never participate in a Twitter chat the same way again. I know that I have a renewed appreciation for those who assume the leadership that it takes to make one happen after reading the post.
Thinking of Moderating a Twitter Chat?
This Blog has been co-authored by Dawn Telfer and myself:
We have been co-moderating #fslchat – a chat for Core French and French Immersion teachers for just under a year. We have learned a lot about leadership and running a chat and we wanted to share some of what we have learned (often through mistakes).
The post continues here…
doug -- off the record 
Please share your thoughts here. I’d enjoy reading them.