Comments on: Not Reading…Why? http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/ The Read/Write Web in the Classroom Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:47:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Techfoot » Blog Archive » Stephen’s Back http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2705 Techfoot » Blog Archive » Stephen’s Back Tue, 09 May 2006 15:05:04 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2705 [...] One of my student bloggers from last semester’s course wrote recently and commented on the transitions that were happening with some of the eduboggers that he had been reading regularly. Stephen Downes’ hiatus and Will Richardson’s posts on some of the issues he was wrestling with were raising some questions about the long-term viability of a community dedicated to serious thinking about how to use new web tools to improve (and even transform) parts of higher education. I think the community has staying power because a growing number of teachers/learners have an this kind of internal drive: What brings me back is a desire to make things better, to contribute my own unique voice to what I see as a rennaissance. Like this: “What edubloggers must do is to continue to engage in critical dialogue, reflect, and communicate with those around us. We must be the ones who stand up and take responsibility for the struggle (If not us, then Who?). We must reflect and act together in a way that offers a new story, a new vision of education can be. Start by looking in the mirror: Meet the new boss; you’re not the same as the old boss…” Perhaps - but we do not need vision and will, we do not need great leaders. There will be no revolution, no rennaissance, until we change ourselves, until we ourselves become the embodiment of the caring and compassionate society we want to create. How hard that is! I return from my time away more aware than ever of how fallible, how ordinary, how human I am. Oh my yes, I have my apologies to give and my amends to make. Still, no matter how hard it is, we need to believe in ourselves, to believe we can make a difference, to believe we matter, to believe we can live freely. This, above all, must be our legacy. [...] […] One of my student bloggers from last semester’s course wrote recently and commented on the transitions that were happening with some of the eduboggers that he had been reading regularly. Stephen Downes’ hiatus and Will Richardson’s posts on some of the issues he was wrestling with were raising some questions about the long-term viability of a community dedicated to serious thinking about how to use new web tools to improve (and even transform) parts of higher education. I think the community has staying power because a growing number of teachers/learners have an this kind of internal drive: What brings me back is a desire to make things better, to contribute my own unique voice to what I see as a rennaissance. Like this: “What edubloggers must do is to continue to engage in critical dialogue, reflect, and communicate with those around us. We must be the ones who stand up and take responsibility for the struggle (If not us, then Who?). We must reflect and act together in a way that offers a new story, a new vision of education can be. Start by looking in the mirror: Meet the new boss; you’re not the same as the old boss…” Perhaps - but we do not need vision and will, we do not need great leaders. There will be no revolution, no rennaissance, until we change ourselves, until we ourselves become the embodiment of the caring and compassionate society we want to create. How hard that is! I return from my time away more aware than ever of how fallible, how ordinary, how human I am. Oh my yes, I have my apologies to give and my amends to make. Still, no matter how hard it is, we need to believe in ourselves, to believe we can make a difference, to believe we matter, to believe we can live freely. This, above all, must be our legacy. […]

]]> By: Rino's Blog http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2612 Rino's Blog Wed, 03 May 2006 18:18:54 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2612 <strong>'Close to the metal' ......</strong> Sebastian Fuchs' post De stilte voorbij? sprak me erg aan: "Digitalisering van het onderwijs kost man- en vrouwkracht, dus tijd. Dat docenten - met name in het voortgezet onderwijs - maar ook docenten in het wetenschappelijk onderwijs dan soms liever... ‘Close to the metal’ ……

Sebastian Fuchs’ post De stilte voorbij? sprak me erg aan: “Digitalisering van het onderwijs kost man- en vrouwkracht, dus tijd. Dat docenten - met name in het voortgezet onderwijs - maar ook docenten in het wetenschappelijk onderwijs dan soms liever…

]]> By: Martin http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2603 Martin Wed, 03 May 2006 03:52:57 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2603 Finally, are WE part of the problem? Are we overwhelming our users with documentation? Or are we part of the solution to their info anxiety? Yes and No, in my opinion. Blogs are still very much bleeding edge to most teachers -as the web was a very few years ago. As such those who blog, and even people like me who read them, are a rarity and are probably ignored much of the time by most of the profession. On the other hand, if we have patience, when they do catch on we should be there to gently lead them forward. Unfortunately, by then, we'll have moved on to the next big thing and won't have the time or worse, we'll shun them because they are so out of touch with "the real world". Finally, are WE part of the problem? Are we overwhelming our users with documentation? Or are we part of the solution to their info anxiety?

Yes and No, in my opinion. Blogs are still very much bleeding edge to most teachers -as the web was a very few years ago. As such those who blog, and even people like me who read them, are a rarity and are probably ignored much of the time by most of the profession. On the other hand, if we have patience, when they do catch on we should be there to gently lead them forward. Unfortunately, by then, we’ll have moved on to the next big thing and won’t have the time or worse, we’ll shun them because they are so out of touch with “the real world”.

]]> By: Aaron Smith http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2593 Aaron Smith Tue, 02 May 2006 17:39:25 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2593 I also feel like the blogging community is a bit impersonal. It' s a bit like sifting through a sandbox to find an interest grain, and when you find it you put it in a box until you can think of something usefull to do with it. I recently started my own edtech blog and I am wondering if it is worth doing. I feel like I am just adding to the information overload we all suffer. I also feel like the blogging community is a bit impersonal. It’ s a bit like sifting through a sandbox to find an interest grain, and when you find it you put it in a box until you can think of something usefull to do with it. I recently started my own edtech blog and I am wondering if it is worth doing. I feel like I am just adding to the information overload we all suffer.

]]> By: John Pederson http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2591 John Pederson Tue, 02 May 2006 15:27:31 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2591 The next few months will give you a natural breaking point and some time for reflection. Use it to experiment a bit. Let go. Try something new. It will drive you nuts. You and I have identical personalities. Guilt will set in and you will feel very uncomfortable. Let it teach you. The next few months will give you a natural breaking point and some time for reflection. Use it to experiment a bit. Let go. Try something new.

It will drive you nuts. You and I have identical personalities. Guilt will set in and you will feel very uncomfortable. Let it teach you.

]]> By: XplanaZine http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2589 XplanaZine Tue, 02 May 2006 14:42:22 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2589 <strong>Daily Edublogging Update...</strong> Here's a summary of ideas and conversations from the edublogging community that have captured our attention in the past 48 hours. Stephen Downes is back from his hiatus and leads off with this response to Will Richardson's post on why he is not readi... Daily Edublogging Update…

Here’s a summary of ideas and conversations from the edublogging community that have captured our attention in the past 48 hours.
Stephen Downes is back from his hiatus and leads off with this response to Will Richardson’s post on why he is not readi…

]]> By: Curtis http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2577 Curtis Tue, 02 May 2006 00:41:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2577 This entry struck a chord with me. I've been reading quite a few blogs for months, but just left it behind (including my own blog) for the last few weeks. I left the classroom two years ago and I think I miss the "very immediate" of days in the classroom with kids. Seems like without direct work with the kids, it grows a bit abstract. I followed your lead to Bob Sprankle's podcasting link. It was quite a kick to watch and made me want to dive back in-something about the direct, visible example of what we say is possible. It's hard to talk about things you don't see. This entry struck a chord with me. I’ve been reading quite a few blogs for months, but just left it behind (including my own blog) for the last few weeks. I left the classroom two years ago and I think I miss the “very immediate” of days in the classroom with kids. Seems like without direct work with the kids, it grows a bit abstract. I followed your lead to Bob Sprankle’s podcasting link. It was quite a kick to watch and made me want to dive back in-something about the direct, visible example of what we say is possible. It’s hard to talk about things you don’t see.

]]> By: Will http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2561 Will Mon, 01 May 2006 14:04:43 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2561 I'm still in learning mode. And Clarence, I hear you. I'm floating too...but I'm not sure the direction either. I think I'm just going to have to sit with it for a while... I’m still in learning mode. And Clarence, I hear you. I’m floating too…but I’m not sure the direction either. I think I’m just going to have to sit with it for a while…

]]> By: Mary http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2558 Mary Mon, 01 May 2006 10:55:35 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2558 After the initial enthusiasm for any new online communication tools - then there must be a specific purpose and a personal connection to continue investing the time. I enjoy learnign about innovations and projects but I simply don't have time to read all my bloglines every day. I have been thinking about MySpace and other similiar blogging journals...I think it is the personal connection that keeps people coming back. After the initial enthusiasm for any new online communication tools - then there must be a specific purpose and a personal connection to continue investing the time. I enjoy learnign about innovations and projects but I simply don’t have time to read all my bloglines every day. I have been thinking about MySpace and other similiar blogging journals…I think it is the personal connection that keeps people coming back.

]]> By: Clarence Fisher http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2556 Clarence Fisher Mon, 01 May 2006 01:08:59 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/not-readingwhy/#comment-2556 You and I sound like we are in the same boat. I posted a few weeks ago about expanding my reading, and looking around a bit more. I wonder if the blogosphere is changing and floating away from me, or I from it? I feel like I'm investigating a million little incremental improvements rather then getting over the wall to something new. So.......? You and I sound like we are in the same boat. I posted a few weeks ago about expanding my reading, and looking around a bit more. I wonder if the blogosphere is changing and floating away from me, or I from it? I feel like I’m investigating a million little incremental improvements rather then getting over the wall to something new.

So…….?

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