How to take part in a Twitter Chat

A Twitter chat is when people come together at a certain time to engage in a conversation around a particular topic. The topic is called a hashtag and is identified by using the # sign at the beginning to make it searchable.

Though people can use a hashtag to tweet about a topic at ANY time, during the set time of a chat (usually 60 minutes), users are asked specific questions that they answer and interact with other users' answers. Each tweet for a Twitter chat MUST have the hashtag included, so it shows up in the search feed for the hashtag. Example: #JCPSChat or #JCPSKYMath

If LATEST isn't clicked, then only the tweets that have the biggest audience are shown.

Many people use something called Tweetdeck to get automatic updates of the hashtag. If not, you may need to hit refresh from time to time to keep up with the chat.

• To like someone's tweet, click the heart symbol.
  
• To retweet someone's tweet, click the double arrow symbol.
• You can also quote a tweet when you click on the retweet symbol. This is a newer feature that allows users to see the tweet you are referencing. It's more authentic than a simple retweet because you are commenting AND retweeting.
• To reply to someone's tweet, click the single arrow symbol.

• All chat questions begin with Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. This is so participants can identify which question is being asked.
  
• To answer Q1, begin your answer with A1. To answer Q2, begin your answer with A2. This format is repeated for each question.
• Be sure to have the chat's hashtag somewhere in each tweet, though most users put the hashtag at the end of a tweet.
• Only tweets with the chat's hashtag will show up in the chat's Twitter stream and be seen by chat participants.

People use a variety of ways to interact during a chat:

• Answer questions using A1, A2, A3, etc. (include #JCPSKYMath)
• General posts using #JCPSKYMath
• Reply to individuals with their handle at the beginning of tweet (include #JCPSKYMath)
• Add GIFs - click on GIF symbol and searching a GIF topic (include #JCPSKYMath)
• Add links - copy/paste - these use 20 of your 140 characters (include #JCPSKYMath)

Engaging the educators of JCPS to their peers in positive, solutions-oriented conversations through formal and informal events, both virtual and face-to-face. Anyone can be part of the movement by joining in the conversation!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCPSForward/
Twitter: @jcpsforward