Want to know what the majority of teachers do to teach a particular lesson? Need some creative inspiration for your next class? Want help writing a research paper? There’s a conversation always happening on Twitter via the hashtag #edchat. (Still a bit new to Twitter? Check out our Teacher’s Guide To Twitter here)

#edchat is comprised of hundreds of students but mostly teachers and administrative professionals. The conversation topics range from sharing interesting links to actually organizing TweetUps (in-person meetings of twitter users) and exchanging ideas and perhaps a drink or two.

#edchat is a regular online exchange of ideas. Educators (and others) begin using the hashtag #edchat at noon EST and 7pm EST and discuss a particular question typically posed by @mbteach.

For example, here’s a random tweet we chose this morning to demonstrate the kind of helpful information being shared right now on #edchat:

#edchat is also a very helpful way to organize online events. From web conferencing to getting fellow higher ed junkies aware of what’s happening…it’s quite easy.

Want to take part in #edchat? It’s easy, just follow these steps:

STEP 1: If you’re new to Twitter, view our Twitter Guide here and start tweeting. You don’t need a big following to participate in #edchat, but you should have some useful information to share if you want to gain followers.

STEP 2: Cut a hole in that box…wait no. The next step is to tweet and put the hashtag #edchat in your tweet. That’s it!

STEP 3: Monitor what’s happening on #edchat by using Twitter Search (just search for #edchat) or add a column to your TweetDeck or other Twitter client so it automagically updates when #edchat updates.

STEP 4: Start tweeting! Retweet! Just take part and add to the conversation. You’ll learn something new, we guarantee it.