Is the “Best PD Out There” Free, Open, and a Decade in the Making? Exploring the Nature and Outcomes of Participation in #NGSSchat on Twitter

The #NGSSchat Twitter hashtag is an active online space where educators with an interest in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) dialogue, share resources, and network. We explored the nature and outcomes of #NGSS participation through a mix-method survey (N = 110). Findings highlight the science education content focus, in contrast with other social media-based education networks that appear to serve a relatively more social function. Findings also underscore that knowing who is participating in #NGSSchat is essential given the various sources of expertise possessed by individuals in different professional roles. These findings illustrate the importance of digital social networks and how they can shape large-scale educational improvement efforts such as the NGSS.