Comments on: Left Out Again http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/ A space to (1) reflect on my teaching, (2) share new ideas, sites, and Web 2.0 tools with current staff, and (3) network with other 21st century teachers Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:38:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: David Truss http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-184 David Truss Tue, 06 May 2008 06:24:17 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-184 Hi Jabiz, I got here because you added me as a Twitter friend. I return the friendship to educational bloggers like yourself, but don't bother with those that do not blog... call me a snob, but I *use* Twitter as a network that I learn from and I don't want to read what self-promoting networkers have to say. That said, when I add a new blog post, I promote/link to it on Twitter. This has been happening a lot recently since I am moving my blog post-by-post and reflecting on each one as I go. I've always been on the outskirts of the echo-chamber and seldom get more than one or two comments on a post... "oh-well" is all I have to say to that! Oddly enough, this bothered me a bit as my popularity slowly grew, then that 'need' faded- Twice! First, when my blog changed addresses on me (it was going to do so again and that is why I decided to be my own host) and then again last summer when I took 2 months off of blogging. My experience of re-reading, reflecting and reposting my blog posts has made me realize that although I appreciate the connectedness that comments offer, I get that from Twitter whenever I want. I've also realized that my purpose for writing is to reflect and learn, and like you, I do this for me:-) I read about your plight and think that it is a horrible situation. I frequently wonder if my often critical view of education will get me in hot water? I wish you luck in finding a new position soon. Regards, Dave (@datruss on twitter) Hi Jabiz,

I got here because you added me as a Twitter friend. I return the friendship to educational bloggers like yourself, but don’t bother with those that do not blog… call me a snob, but I *use* Twitter as a network that I learn from and I don’t want to read what self-promoting networkers have to say. That said, when I add a new blog post, I promote/link to it on Twitter. This has been happening a lot recently since I am moving my blog post-by-post and reflecting on each one as I go.

I’ve always been on the outskirts of the echo-chamber and seldom get more than one or two comments on a post… “oh-well” is all I have to say to that! Oddly enough, this bothered me a bit as my popularity slowly grew, then that ‘need’ faded- Twice! First, when my blog changed addresses on me (it was going to do so again and that is why I decided to be my own host) and then again last summer when I took 2 months off of blogging.

My experience of re-reading, reflecting and reposting my blog posts has made me realize that although I appreciate the connectedness that comments offer, I get that from Twitter whenever I want. I’ve also realized that my purpose for writing is to reflect and learn, and like you, I do this for me:-)

I read about your plight and think that it is a horrible situation. I frequently wonder if my often critical view of education will get me in hot water?

I wish you luck in finding a new position soon.
Regards,
Dave (@datruss on twitter)

]]> By: Louise Maine http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-181 Louise Maine Sun, 04 May 2008 19:25:43 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-181 You could have written this post for a large number of us. I too have let go to just write for me and that is great! If someone reads and comments it makes my day, but my day is not diminished if no one does. I am not so involved in twitter - need to let that go for now for my sanity and my family. But I do need it as it is isolating trying to make a change on my own. Thanks for the honest, refreshing post! You could have written this post for a large number of us. I too have let go to just write for me and that is great! If someone reads and comments it makes my day, but my day is not diminished if no one does. I am not so involved in twitter - need to let that go for now for my sanity and my family. But I do need it as it is isolating trying to make a change on my own. Thanks for the honest, refreshing post!

]]> By: Melanie http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-180 Melanie Sun, 04 May 2008 19:19:59 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-180 Additionally, the fact that you are driven by a sense of mission and purpose in your work differentiates you from those he is talking about within the school teacher community who are looking for nothing more than the approval and endorsement of companies who are all too eager to brand their classrooms. This is a big problem. Your work and your words bear no resemblance to those interests or motivations. That's why I follow you. Don't worry about being cool or in the know. That's not the point. The point is to have an opinion and say something. And there's a difference between "saying something" and PR, hype and status seeking. Additionally, the fact that you are driven by a sense of mission and purpose in your work differentiates you from those he is talking about within the school teacher community who are looking for nothing more than the approval and endorsement of companies who are all too eager to brand their classrooms. This is a big problem.

Your work and your words bear no resemblance to those interests or motivations. That’s why I follow you. Don’t worry about being cool or in the know. That’s not the point. The point is to have an opinion and say something. And there’s a difference between “saying something” and PR, hype and status seeking.

]]> By: Melanie http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-179 Melanie Sun, 04 May 2008 19:15:23 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/04/left-out-again/#comment-179 The point of his post - and my response - is the motivation for using Twitter, the issue of the echo chamber and the less than ethical approaches some have to new tech (i.e., shilling v. critical engagement). Nobody is taking issue with "newbies" per se but the behaviour of many newbies in relation to the rather important issues that some of the oldies have worked hard to draw attention to. Again, the issue is not a versus but a difference between critical minded exploration and mindless adoption. The point of his post - and my response - is the motivation for using Twitter, the issue of the echo chamber and the less than ethical approaches some have to new tech (i.e., shilling v. critical engagement).

Nobody is taking issue with “newbies” per se but the behaviour of many newbies in relation to the rather important issues that some of the oldies have worked hard to draw attention to.

Again, the issue is not a versus but a difference between critical minded exploration and mindless adoption.

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