Step 4: All About Hashtags and Twitter chats(I)

 Following Hashtags:   
You can type a hashtagged keyword in the search bar on Twitter to discover tweets and accounts based on your interests. There are easier ways to follow hashtags so you don’t have to keep running the same search. TweetDeck is commonly used to follow hashtags that you want to keep track of regularly (the Twitter search bar is fine if you just want to do one-off searches).
 Starting your Own Hashtag:
Hashtags are community driven and anyone can start one. Maybe you want to start your own hashtag with a group of people from your PLN who have a similar interest. To avoid using a hashtag that is already being used, it is advisable to search for that hashtag first. Things can get confusing if your hashtag is being used by another group! Simply search in the Twitter search box for your preferred hashtag or use a free tool like hashtagify.me.
 Fun idea: use your  own hashtag to find your tweets: “ If you are like me, says Kathleen Sokolowski, and frequently read articles and spots that resonate, challenge you or speak to you in some way, consider creating a hashtag for yourself! When you want to find your tweet again, just search for your hashtag in the search bar and be sure to click ”Latest” to see all your tweets”.
 Finding Popular Hashtag:
Jerry Blumengarten (aka Cybrary Man) is well known for curation hashtags used in education. You can find the complete list on his site. Find the original image here.Twitter Chat for Teachers
Trending Hashtags on Twitter, when you are on your Twitter home feed, you might have noticed “Trends for you” on the left hand side. Trending topics are a mix of hashtags and regular phrases that show what’s currently being tweeted about most. You can click on these trends to find out more and join in the conversation by leaving a reply or tweeting something or interest. So be warned! Like clicking on trending topics can take you down a rabbit hole as a lot of aspects of Twitter and social media.