#DLNchat: Where the Digital Learning Network Connects

Digital Learning

#DLNchat: Where the Digital Learning Network Connects

By Michael Sano     Dec 11, 2017

#DLNchat: Where the Digital Learning Network Connects

What’s the best metaphor for describing the role of an instructional designer? How can digital learning help improve graduation rates? How might adaptive learning courseware change the work of faculty? Who should be responsible for protecting students’ privacy? How do you learn about new edtech products?

Those are just some of the questions we’ve asked at #DLNchat, and the answers from your peers abound! The chat is now hosted by our partner WCET and meets every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 1pm PT /4pm ET. See the list of upcoming #DLNchats (and other EdSurge events).

But what exactly is #DLNchat? It’s the Twitter chat for the Digital Learning Network. Let’s start with some basics…

What is a Twitter chat?

A Twitter chat is an opportunity for individuals to meet on Twitter at the same time to discuss a specified topic. Users participate in a conversation by following—and importantly, tweeting with—a particular hashtag. We’ll use #DLNchat as an example:

1. Before the Twitter chat starts, a host, @wcet_info, announces the topic and time for the chat.

2. At the specified time, log into Twitter and search for the chat hashtag, #DLNchat.

Pro-tip: using an app like TweetDeck makes it easy to save hashtags like #DLNchat in columns for future use.

3. The host, @wcet_info, will post questions using Q1, Q2, Q3, etc. to indicate the questions. These will often appear in the form of question cards as well.

4. Participants respond via tweets using the #DLNchat hashtag! This is when things get fun. Everyone in the chat will share their answers to the questions with an A1, A2, A3, etc. to show which question they are answering.

5. Chat it up. Participants will respond to each other’s answers and often share other comments related to the topic and links to resources, photos, gifs, videos… At #DLNchat we always have a playlist to groove along to too!

6. Don’t forget to add the hashtag #DLNchat to ALL your tweets so everyone in the chat sees them.

Pro-tip: if you tweet from the Twitter search bar on your laptop or mobile device the #DLNchat will be auto-added to your tweet.

Twitter chats are a great way to connect with new people, #DLNchat especially for anyone interested in digital learning in higher education. Be sure to follow your new contacts after a #DLNchat and to check out all the great resources that are shared. One more pro-tip before you go: don’t get overwhelmed! You don’t have respond to (or like) every single tweet you see. And if you miss a question, you can always go back to it, including “A’s” in your responses will make it so everyone knows what question you’re referring to.

Didn’t we make that easy? See you at the next #DLNchat! We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 1pm PT/4pm ET. Join the Digital Learning Network to get updates about all upcoming chats.

Recaps of our past chats are below. #DLNchat is co-hosted by EdSurge, WCET and EDUCAUSE.

People chatting via mobile devices
How to Build Meaningful Community for Online Learners #DLNchat
Woman and robot working together at a screen
How the Future of Work Will Influence the Future of Learning #DLNchat
Professor and students on a giant latptop
How Colleges Can Support Faculty New to Teaching Online #DLNchat
Toy rocket that has crashed into desk
Permission to Launch and to Fail: Building Culture for Academic Innovation #DLNchat
Tablet and latptop over a designing grid
6 Tips for How to Build an Online College Degree from Scratch #DLNchat
Newton's cradle with lighbulbs
How Nontraditional Educators Will Influence Digital Learning #DLNchat
Astronaut walking on the moon
How Do We Best Teach Digital and Information Literacy in Higher Ed? #DLNchat
Graffiti wall with image of John Lennon
Can Competency-Based Education Demonstrate Mastery Across a Lifetime? #DLNchat
Woman w/ AR/VR headset
Can AR/VR Improve Learning? Integrating Extended Reality Into Academic Programs #DLNchat
Can Online Programs and Digital Tools Help Students Spend Less Money?
Professional Development Planning for Summer 2018 and Beyond
How Can We Improve Accessibility Through Instructional Design?
How Can Alternative Assignments Effectively Assess Student Learning?
How Have MOOCs Impacted Approaches to Student Learning?
How Could Artificial Intelligence Shape the Future of Higher Education?
How Can Video Best Support Learning and Instruction?
What Is the Role of Libraries in Digital Learning Innovation?
What Is Blockchain and How Can It Support Student Success?

How Will Net Neutrality Changes Affect Higher Education?
Open Educational Resources (OER)
The Skills Gap-Fact or Fantasy?
Product Pilots & Experimentation
Adaptive Learning in Higher Ed
Scaling Course Design Across Programs
Big Data and Student Privacy
So You Want to Be a (Better) Instructional Designer
Tutoring for Digital Learning
Supporting Diverse Student Populations
Digital v. Physical Class Design
Accessibility and Digital Learning
Experiential Learning in the Digital Realm
Is PowerPoint Still Relevant?
Supporting Faculty to use Digital Learning Tools in the Classroom
Removing Barriers Between Digital Learning and Student Success Initiatives
Movin’ and Groovin’ to the Future of Microcredentials
Showing Love for Higher-Ed Communities of Practice
Building Cultures of Experimentation in Higher Ed
Scaling Evidence-Based Practices and Pedagogies
The Role of Instructional Designers in Driving Digital Learning
Supporting Student Success in Community Colleges
Empowering Students to be Active Learners
How can Digital Learning Improve Outcomes for Students?

Keep up to date with all the #DLNchats, join the Digital Learning Network!

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