Using Twitter - The Role of Hash Tags

Lots of teachers are tapping into the rich potential of Twitter for teaching and learning and one question often asked is “what are those strange hash tags at the end of so many of your tweets?” Hash tags use the symbol # followed by something else for example #tutor2u or #economics or #doubledip

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Why do they exist?

Well, suppose that you’re interested in a particular topic in economics, a topical event or perhaps a personality of interest, then adding a hash tag to your tweets will mean that others who use the same hash will be better able to see what is being discussed on that related hash tag within the twitter community. There areno hard and fast rules about how hash tags are created. It all depends on the community of users and what they choose to use! That is one of the beauties of Twitter ... it constantly evolves!

For example at a conference the organisers may ask delegates to use a specific hast tag in their tweets so that conference-goers can follow what is commonly known as the Twitter Backchannel during the conference. I have been at events such as the Moodle Moot in London and also in Australia where hundreds of tweets are being posted on the conference content every day. It provides a vibrant conversation and flow of ideas from those attending the event and is often a cue for fellow Tweeters to find each other during the session breaks. People unable to attend can also follow a set hash tag and get a feel for what is being said and the responses from the floor.

Here is one example in action at the moment. A growing cluster of Business Studies teachers are collaborating on resources and ideas ahead of the June 2011 BUSS exam are active using the hash tag #BUSS4 Have a look and see what is being posted on a daily basis!

I dip into lots of hash tag searches on my favourite topics … for example I use #thersa to catch up on new events and ideas from the RSA and #googledocs for a flow of tweets related to developments using Google Docs and how this app might be used in teaching and learning.

How can you get a new hash tag up and running?

It is pretty easy! Providing your Twitter settings are that your tweets are available for public view, if you write a new tweet and add a new hash tag it will take Twitter just a few minutes to recognise it and start grouping tweets that carry the same hash tag. Have a go! I have just set one up with the hash tag #aqaeconomics - who is going to join in?

Perhaps you have a group of students or colleagues who want to tweet using a common tag? You will find quickly that the hash tag is well known by the group and adding the tag becomes almost second nature! The world is your oyster. If you want to share some twitter hash tags with the community through this blog, just leave a comment and we will add favoured hash tags to the list!