ASL Twitter Chat: Recently, I have been learning the ins and outs of the Twitter chat world. At first, I was scared to death to delve into another social media platform, but after baby steps and several failed attempts, I am learning to maneuver Twitter. Twitter can be an incredible place to learn and explore a number of topics. It differs from Facebook and Instagram because it isn’t about photo sharing and connecting with people in the same way. It is more about connecting professionally and learning more about your passions. You can consider it online professional development.
Twitter Chat Basics
Twitter chats are where a group of Twitter users meets up online at the same time to discuss specific ideas and topics. Conversations are linked together by the use of a hashtag (#). There is a moderator who poses questions using the format Q1:, Q2:, Q3: etc. People in the group respond to those questions by using A1;, A2:, A3: etc. to respond to the questions. Interaction through the group is encouraged by participants commenting on each other’s answers to the questions.
The ASL Twitter chat moves very quickly depending on how many people are involved and responding to the chat. The chat should be non-judgmental in nature as everyone is there to learn and everyone has something to say. None of us will always agree or do things the same and that is OK. That is what the chat is for; to learn what others do.
Twitter only allows a certain number of words so you have to manage your tweets. You can use abbreviations. In educational Tweets, Ss = students, T = Teachers, and other words can be abbreviated as well.
Why Participate In an ASL Twitter Chat?
ASL Twitter chats are a great way to share and grow in your profession. ASL Twitter Chats allow you to network and grow your circle of contacts. The chat offers a platform for you to ask questions, gain ideas from others and make connections to people in your field that share the same interests as you.
How to Get Started
The first thing you need to do is join Twitter. To do that go to twitter.com and create an account. 
Tweetdeck
Tweetdeck is owned by Twitter and will be your secret to a successful chat. It helps keep everything organized and in front of you so you can follow the hashtag of your chat. It will integrate seamlessly with your Twitter account as a login. The far left column will have a space to place what hashtag you are looking for. In this case, #ASLTeacherchat. When you are ready to respond to a question, click on the feather in the upper left corner. Before you send, you have to include the hashtag for the group you are in. For example, you may respond
In my classroom, T uses voice off policy to teach vocabulary so Ss get receptive practice #ASLTeacherchat
Try tonight with #langchat to join other language teachers. 
