What's with all the #hashtagging

#What #is #all #of #this #hashtagging #about #anyways?

The pound symbol (#) was nice and peaceful for years, only being used a certain # of times (see, it used to represent a "number").  Once Twitter came along and the little blue bird took over social media, the hashtag has evolved into a trend-setting moniker.  If you want something to become popular, you begin with a hashtag.  If you want to follow something that you enjoy, you search with a hashtag.  If you want to learn about something specific, follow that trend using the appropriate hashtag.

Or, if you're Jimmy Fallon, use a hashtag to gather all of the best ideas from around the world:

#thingswillpass.  They might, but realize that kids are being named after the growing trend.  So let's get down to the application of trends in education.  

#edchat - full of great teaching ideas
#edtech - all about using technology in the classroom
#mathchat - where all of us math geeks unite
#flipchat - tons of resources about flipping your classroom, as well as #miflip
#eduawesome - all things that are awesome in education, started by @billselak
#ntchat - community of new teachers started by @teachingwthsoul
#21stedchat - gathering of educators about 21st century education ideas

If you're new to Twitter, this list of trends to follow is a good start.  However, as you begin to develop your Professional Learning Network, you'll find trends that meet your needs.  If you're into cooking, there's a hashtag for that.  Maybe you venture off into math jokes.  There's pretty much a hashtag for #everything.  

Just, whatever you do, make sure you don't get out of hand with all of your #hashtaggery.  You might get in trouble from the #hashtagpolice.

By John Stevens
Follow me on Twitter
Hashtag me #salty
www.fishing4tech.com