Comments on: Not Using Primary Sources–Guilty as Charged

By: Norma

Norma — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:39:57 +0000

Say what you will about “original” sources and research, but once it became so easy on the internet, I started doing less in depth research, not more. But I see this in a lot of print bibliographies too–author cites a secondary summary, rather than the original document.

By: Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Determining Truth and Loose Change

Ideas and Thoughts from an EdTech » Determining Truth and Loose Change — Sat, 19 Aug 2006 07:03:11 +0000

[...] We all know how critical it is for us to demonstrate to students the importance of truth and accuracy in blogging and in more importantly in life. It’s been both humbling and powerful to watch Will deal with the issue of not using primary sources as well as not citing sources. Will was very forthright in his errors and even thanked those who called him out. Darren recently discovered the truth about the South African wiki project that many of us, including me have been touting. [...]

By: That Reminds Me … » links for 2006-08-18

That Reminds Me … » links for 2006-08-18 — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 16:10:47 +0000

[...] Not Using Primary Sources–Guilty as Charged “And he asks, in a world where we have access to primary sources, why didn’t I go there first? [...]

By: Janice Friesen

Janice Friesen — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 13:36:05 +0000

Thanks Will for this post. I think that this is a huge issue. What kid thinks he has time to really check out his/her primary sources? Don’t we all hate to do that?

It is SO important though. The nature of communication has changed. It is VERY easy to read only blogs you are interested in and agree with and pass on the information from them that pleases you assuming that it is correct. We edubloggers need to be examples of a better way.

So many of us are listening to every word you say and so it is really important to point out times when you have not had the time to check your source material-but please don’t stop writing your creative ideas because of it. As David said you are engaging in a conversation. Hopefully what will happen is that someone reading will have the time to dig and come back with some more information that will be helpful.

Janice

By: David Warlick

David Warlick — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 12:30:55 +0000

In one word, Will, “Relax!” Everything seems to be working as it should. None of us has time to check everything.

Now this is my opinion, but we aren’t journalists. We’re engaged in a conversation. We listen (read), we think, we share. Others listen, and think, and share, and we all learn in the process. We’re all going to get dinged. I think we just need to all relax, and realize that we’re going to get it wrong sometimes. It’s what happens in rapidly changing times.

About a penny’s worth!

By: Will Richardson

Will Richardson — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 23:09:12 +0000

No worries, James. But I seriously don’t mind the push…I wish it would happen more often actually. It make me take another look at what I’m doing, and that’s a good thing. And it also was a great opportunity to model the best of blogging for my workshop. Looking forward to working with you.

By: Teach, Teach! » saved articles

Teach, Teach! » saved articles — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:42:11 +0000

[...] Not Using Primary Sources–Guilty as Charged [...]

By: James O'Hagan

James O'Hagan — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 19:12:23 +0000

Believe me, Will, I was not in any way implying you as one of the sheeple or a ditto-head-wannabee. My “rant” was more a warning of the dangers of taking for granted someone’s opinion who caries a lot of weight without examining the primary material first. You, Will, are a edu-blog powerhouse, and your opinion is respected by a lot of people. I read your work on a regular basis and think your are pushing our thoughts and dialogue in the right direction in regards of employing RW technologies into our schools and life.

You’re right in pointing out that I did not look at the 2001 source material, but my ranting was more about my worries that too many people aren’t critically thinking of these issues on a higher level. The Internet is allowing us the opportunity to raise the bar of the dialogue. You are a leader and have the ability to do that. I would just hate to see you become stagnant and reliant on the opinions of others, and would prefer your stay a leader.

My rant was more to motivate then to blast. You have a very good blog, and you provide excellent insight. Why do you think I am having you come to speak to our district about RW technology?

By: David Jakes

David Jakes — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 17:50:44 +0000

I like you better as the “tech-hipster.”

By: Don Sweeney

Don Sweeney — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 14:16:22 +0000

Will,
That last guy was a bit harsh, no? I’ve always found you to be open minded and thoughtful in your posts. Keep up what you do. Some of us appreciate the way you keep us thinking.
Don

By: Harold Jarche

Harold Jarche — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 11:28:07 +0000

“Third, I wonder how I can effectively strike this balance in my own practice. As my time has become less available to reading and blogging, I find it more and more difficult to maintain the practice. So, I don’t dig.”

Perhaps your role is now to highlight these pieces of news & research, and if you don’t have the time, then ask the all-important questions that others with more time may be able to answer. Your node in this edublogger network is an important one but your role may be changing from “maven” to “connector”.