The #Hashtag Phenom :: Education

There are two different definitions that are very similar to each other when it comes to defining what a hashtag really is.

For Wikipedia:

In online computer systems terminology, a tag is a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are chosen informally and personally by the item’s creator or by its viewer, depending on the system.

Tagging was popularized by websites associated with Web 2.0 and is an important feature of many Web 2.0 services. It is now also part of some desktop software.

Resource link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashtags#Hash_tags

According to the Twitter Fan Wiki:

Hashtags are a community-driven convention for adding additional context and metadata to your tweets. They’re like tags on Flickr, only added inline to your post. You create a hashtag simply by prefixing a word with a hash symbol: #hashtag.

Hashtags were developed as a means to create "groupings" on Twitter, without having to change the basic service. The hash symbol is a convention borrowed primarily from IRC channels, and later from Jaiku’s channels.

Resource link: http://twitter.pbworks.com/Hashtags

Okay, so what does this mean for the average person who is constantly using Twitter, and have not a clue what these weird words and phrases are that pop up with a pound sign attached to it?

That, my friends, is an excellent question that holds a plethora of information for educators globally!

These hashtags are designated to different subjects of information.  For educators, it can get pretty cumbersome if you have not a clue of even what to tag your own tweets, let alone where to start looking for information.  I have compiled a list of hashtags I have been following, or have seen great educators utilize to help spread information globally.

Hashtags for Education Resources:

#education	#educators	#teachers
#educational	#edublog	#lrnchat
#web20	#writechat	#classrooms
#teacher-librarian	#english-teacher	#teach-me
#great_teaching	#social-media	#multi-media
#learning	#learn	#elearning
#edtech	#liveclass20	#tech
#librarian	#edu	#teachertuesday
#mashable	#opened	#followfriday
#writegoal	#writers	#readers
#parenting	#moodle	#linkedin
#edchat	#classroom_rules	#i-teach
#new-media	#edreform	#slideshare
#classroom20	#OLTips	#pln
#educhat	#classroom_displays	#i_can_teach_you
#curriculum	#NCLB	#ning
#readwriteweb	#secondlife	#litchat
#books	#kindergarten	#higered
#biology	#health	#science
#pde	#math	#educause

 

Hashtags for Educational Conferences and Groups:

#catwest	#edweek09	#telaed09
#eatit09	#steconf	#opened09
#ncsl	#ccstech	#scbwi09
#tedtalks	#METC_CSD	#DEN
#edrnd	#ecs09	#LearnCentral

 

The next thing racing through your mind is probably the burning question of “What do these hashtags mean?”

Am I right?

Well, fortunately for you (and me!), there are sites dedicated to such services.  These sites offer definitions to the different hashtags I presented, as well as who is using them, and even how much of a trend the hashtag truly is.  Here are just a few sites I have come across to help understand those hashtags.

Hashtags.org	Hash Dictionary	Hashtags Wikia
Twemes	What the Trend?	Twubs
Twazzup	Tagal.us

Do you know of any hashtags that should be on this list for educators?  Please leave them in the comments area below!

 

 

 

 

Resources used are hashtags.org and Twubs.  Special thanks to the following tweeps: @kcaise, @Thespian70 for helping me compile the different hashtags we educators use daily!

 

 

Originated August 14, 2009
Revised