Twitter chat

Learned in class last week about Twitter chat.  Interesting.  This seems like an amazing use of Twitter.

Why?  Well…let’s see…

First, let me define what I mean when I say Twitter Chat, because I’m sure there are a host of different definitions.   Based on what Alan Rosenblatt of the Center for American Progress and William Buetler and Leslie Bradshaw of New Media Strategies said, the Twitter chat has these simple elements:

1. A common topic

2. A unique hash tag

3. A common time

4. A core group of people wanting to discuss

If you come equipped with those four things, you are ready to go.  Basically, you get the word out that you will have a conversation about the topic at a certain time, and everyone gets on and discusses.  Simple.

So what?

Well, having worked in online Communities of Practice for years, I know a lot about the challenges of getting people online together at the same time—and getting them to contribute.  Typically, you have lots of lurkers and few posters…and those that might post are a bit intimidated by those that do.  So you end up with two or three people in a chat—and unless they are super interesting, that can get old quickly for everyone.

The Twitter chat seems different for several reasons.

-The Twitter format encourages quick posts, which mimics the way people talk.  I say something, you respond.  Although the posts might not be as thoughtful, it more resembles an actual dialogue.  For more substantial conversations, an asynchronous discussion board is more appropriate.

-A Twitter chat can satisfy the urgency of the moment.  Right after an election or a Redskins loss, people have a lot to say.  Twitter chat it perfect for that.  And everyone knows where to go.

-It super easy.  All you need to do is search for the hash tag, and you can read and post.  There’s just something a bit much about a discussion board.  This is a amazing alternative.