Comments on: And No Blog Tattoos Either http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/ Learning with the Read/Write Web Tue, 19 Jul 2011 20:36:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: K.M. http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-55369 K.M. Sat, 31 May 2008 23:33:17 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-55369 You are following it. 1. Someone made a comment that implied admins should answer to the teachers and not to parents (and thus stakeholders). The 'blanket banning' of all professional blogs et al from school provided email addresses 2. The comment then was that in fact it always has to do with the stakeholders interests because they ARE the community being served by the schools - parents and others - who pay for the salaries and everything else via taxes and other means 3. The follow up comment expanded on this to mention protocols, procedures, etc related to comment 2, but not back to the original post 4. The last comment brought it back to the idea that it was related to personal/professional blogs and 'approval' because it has to serve the system paying for your position - ie, if you dont like it, create your own company and/or email address to share from... 5. The end result - hopefully school systems that hesitate like yours can be educated to understand that there is no real threat to this practice and in fact the upside is much greater and they'll let you share your blog out in all of your communications. You are following it.

1. Someone made a comment that implied admins should answer to the teachers and not to parents (and thus stakeholders). The ‘blanket banning’ of all professional blogs et al from school provided email addresses

2. The comment then was that in fact it always has to do with the stakeholders interests because they ARE the community being served by the schools – parents and others – who pay for the salaries and everything else via taxes and other means

3. The follow up comment expanded on this to mention protocols, procedures, etc related to comment 2, but not back to the original post

4. The last comment brought it back to the idea that it was related to personal/professional blogs and ‘approval’ because it has to serve the system paying for your position – ie, if you dont like it, create your own company and/or email address to share from…

5. The end result – hopefully school systems that hesitate like yours can be educated to understand that there is no real threat to this practice and in fact the upside is much greater and they’ll let you share your blog out in all of your communications.

]]> By: Lisa Nielsen http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-55368 Lisa Nielsen Sat, 31 May 2008 22:44:00 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-55368 I’m not sure I’m completely following the points being made in this particular comment thread, but assuming I am, I want to share that I think that educators with blogs in their url SHOULD have to answer to stakeholders. Putting your blog url in your email signature is an indication that you are inviting people into the conversation that may require your answers. Additionally, I want to clarify that my blog url was in my professional email signature and I am a Central office administrator…one of the few educators willing and able to publicly share my ideas and knowledge. Unfortunately the system has succeeded in making most fearful of sharing a public voice and the few, like me , who were not fearful now have no choice about doing so if we want to keep our jobs that now come with a mandate that results in silencing us in one way. I’m sure like the game with the little beaver heads that pop up…as necessary, there will be mandates against other forms of educator expression as well. Hopefully, the collective voice of educators will continue to keep the mandaters on their toes with many other forms of expression resulting in educator voice prevailing. I’m not sure I’m completely following the points being made in this particular comment thread, but assuming I am, I want to share that I think that educators with blogs in their url SHOULD have to answer to stakeholders. Putting your blog url in your email signature is an indication that you are inviting people into the conversation that may require your answers. Additionally, I want to clarify that my blog url was in my professional email signature and I am a Central office administrator…one of the few educators willing and able to publicly share my ideas and knowledge. Unfortunately the system has succeeded in making most fearful of sharing a public voice and the few, like me , who were not fearful now have no choice about doing so if we want to keep our jobs that now come with a mandate that results in silencing us in one way. I’m sure like the game with the little beaver heads that pop up…as necessary, there will be mandates against other forms of educator expression as well. Hopefully, the collective voice of educators will continue to keep the mandaters on their toes with many other forms of expression resulting in educator voice prevailing.

]]> By: K.M. http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-55367 K.M. Sat, 31 May 2008 21:39:05 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-55367 It's an obvious given that there are laws and regulations that come into play with all of the interactions and requests - and of course there is an obvious chain of command. With those things in place and putting in the context of the origination of this conversation about personal/professional blogs that are being 'banned' from allowance in system-provided email accounts, the origination of my reply was to the 'blanket ban with teachers' than dealing with the 'irate parents' and then the continuation that seemed to lean to the person thinking the admins should answer to the teachers and not the parents. So, a lack of understanding that still exists and the fear many folks function in when they don't understand the full scope of an idea (like a professional blog that PROMOTES the collective knowledge), I do find the 'blanket policy' necessary in this scenario until a greater understanding is reached of the why and how... And, for the origination in NYC Dept of Ed - that is a really difficult one because of how fractured the many 'stakeholder groups' are and the amount of staff that have to be accounted for. It can be considered 'lazy' to immediately throw up the wall and stop it, but it doesnt mean it cant be changed with some educating... With that said, I think with time this individual will be able to educate those who need influencing and will get the policy reversed or rewritten... It’s an obvious given that there are laws and regulations that come into play with all of the interactions and requests – and of course there is an obvious chain of command.

With those things in place and putting in the context of the origination of this conversation about personal/professional blogs that are being ‘banned’ from allowance in system-provided email accounts, the origination of my reply was to the ‘blanket ban with teachers’ than dealing with the ‘irate parents’ and then the continuation that seemed to lean to the person thinking the admins should answer to the teachers and not the parents.

So, a lack of understanding that still exists and the fear many folks function in when they don’t understand the full scope of an idea (like a professional blog that PROMOTES the collective knowledge), I do find the ‘blanket policy’ necessary in this scenario until a greater understanding is reached of the why and how…

And, for the origination in NYC Dept of Ed – that is a really difficult one because of how fractured the many ‘stakeholder groups’ are and the amount of staff that have to be accounted for. It can be considered ‘lazy’ to immediately throw up the wall and stop it, but it doesnt mean it cant be changed with some educating…

With that said, I think with time this individual will be able to educate those who need influencing and will get the policy reversed or rewritten…

]]> By: Tim Goree http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-55361 Tim Goree Sat, 31 May 2008 19:47:05 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-55361 Well.....Good school employees will see it that way. They will recognize that parents absolutely deserve respect, and that it is the public that we serve. The actual reality is, however, that the only people that REALLY have to answer to the community is the school board members. The superintendent answers to the school board members, and everyone else answers to the superintendent or someone he/she has assigned. It's called chain of command, and it is important, because while it's nice to say that we all answer to the parents, the reality is that there are quite a few parents out there who are completely off their rocker when it comes to motivations and intelligence. There are times when a parent talks to me about something and I know that I am right and they are wrong (usually because the parent isn't aware of the laws that govern many of our actions as school employees). In that case, I give them the respect they deserve, but I certainly don't treat them as if they are my boss. Well…..Good school employees will see it that way. They will recognize that parents absolutely deserve respect, and that it is the public that we serve. The actual reality is, however, that the only people that REALLY have to answer to the community is the school board members. The superintendent answers to the school board members, and everyone else answers to the superintendent or someone he/she has assigned. It’s called chain of command, and it is important, because while it’s nice to say that we all answer to the parents, the reality is that there are quite a few parents out there who are completely off their rocker when it comes to motivations and intelligence. There are times when a parent talks to me about something and I know that I am right and they are wrong (usually because the parent isn’t aware of the laws that govern many of our actions as school employees). In that case, I give them the respect they deserve, but I certainly don’t treat them as if they are my boss.

]]> By: K.M. http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-55358 K.M. Sat, 31 May 2008 17:57:55 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-55358 Of course the admins have to answer to them... so do you. Where does the majority of the money for your employment come from? Who pays your salary? For whatever anyone wants to think about 'public service' and what not - you are responsible and answer to not only supervisors/management, but directly to folks who pay for your position - and that wold be the 'irate parents.' Unfortunate reality, but a reality nonetheless that cannot be ignored. Of course the admins have to answer to them… so do you. Where does the majority of the money for your employment come from? Who pays your salary? For whatever anyone wants to think about ‘public service’ and what not – you are responsible and answer to not only supervisors/management, but directly to folks who pay for your position – and that wold be the ‘irate parents.’ Unfortunate reality, but a reality nonetheless that cannot be ignored.

]]> By: Kristen http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-54803 Kristen Tue, 20 May 2008 23:11:08 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-54803 I think since there is a negative connotation regarding blogging, especially among teens, administrators feel teachers should not be doing the same. Have they ever thought about the positives related to blogging? Like teachers posting questions related to a story that was just read in class and having students comment/answer through the blog, discussion topics for students to be able to comment on, daily assignments posted for the students who were absent, or for the parents who are trying to stay on top of their student's grades. Sometimes I wish administrators were a little more open-minded! I think since there is a negative connotation regarding blogging, especially among teens, administrators feel teachers should not be doing the same. Have they ever thought about the positives related to blogging? Like teachers posting questions related to a story that was just read in class and having students comment/answer through the blog, discussion topics for students to be able to comment on, daily assignments posted for the students who were absent, or for the parents who are trying to stay on top of their student’s grades. Sometimes I wish administrators were a little more open-minded!

]]> By: Greg Carroll http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-54558 Greg Carroll Sun, 18 May 2008 20:08:14 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-54558 John - isn't this the point? You manage the ethics yourself and DON'T need a school district to dictate to you. I don't know that the location of the server is necessarily relevant - in terms of who hosts the blog - but it is the PURPOSE of the blog that is the key issue. If you have a professionally relevant blog that is not used for commercial purposes where is the harm in linking it into your school email footer? I would argue it is, in fact, a positive thing to be actively promoting It IS important to behave appropriately when operating under the school banner. This is an ethical and moral issue, not one that necessarily needs to be mandated like this. In the same way we expect pupils to behave appropriately when they are out in the community in school uniform we expect our staff to project the image we want in public (actual or virtual). Engaging in robust debate of educational theory and practice is not something we should hide away - we encourage it in the staffroom! - and holding this debate in the public forum of a blog is not at all detrimental to the school. In fact it may do much to promote the professional image of the profession? Also, are we not trying to encourage wide communities of practice? Don't we want teachers and school administrators to engage with the thoughts and ideas of a cross section of others for their professional learning? My blog, and the blogs of others have been an important component in this for me. Greg <a href="http://blog.core-ed.net/greg" rel="nofollow">http://blog.core-ed.net/greg</a> John – isn’t this the point? You manage the ethics yourself and DON’T need a school district to dictate to you. I don’t know that the location of the server is necessarily relevant – in terms of who hosts the blog – but it is the PURPOSE of the blog that is the key issue. If you have a professionally relevant blog that is not used for commercial purposes where is the harm in linking it into your school email footer? I would argue it is, in fact, a positive thing to be actively promoting
It IS important to behave appropriately when operating under the school banner. This is an ethical and moral issue, not one that necessarily needs to be mandated like this. In the same way we expect pupils to behave appropriately when they are out in the community in school uniform we expect our staff to project the image we want in public (actual or virtual). Engaging in robust debate of educational theory and practice is not something we should hide away – we encourage it in the staffroom! – and holding this debate in the public forum of a blog is not at all detrimental to the school. In fact it may do much to promote the professional image of the profession?
Also, are we not trying to encourage wide communities of practice? Don’t we want teachers and school administrators to engage with the thoughts and ideas of a cross section of others for their professional learning? My blog, and the blogs of others have been an important component in this for me.
Greg
http://blog.core-ed.net/greg

]]> By: John Hendron http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-54405 John Hendron Sat, 17 May 2008 04:48:53 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-54405 When I first read the news, I was upset they were doing this (to teachers), but then I realized, <em>I do this to myself already</em>. We don't have such a ban on the books. But we do encourage teachers to put their weblog URLs (alongside their school name and their own names) in their email footers. I show them how to do this in training when they join our district. The difference is: what they're linking to is their school-hosted blog. I have <a href="http://www.glnd.k12.va.us/weblog/jhendron" rel="nofollow">a school-hosted blog</a> and I also have a handful of personal blogs, including <a href="http://www.johnhendron.net/digest" rel="nofollow">one on education and technology</a>. Having dual-blogs isn't always fun, as I don't like to cross-post. I post stuff of interest to a more general audience on my own blog, and content that's more district specific (new--summer classes!) on the district blog. I don't consider my own personal blog, even though it's on topics I deal with at school, as professionally appropriate for my school-based e-mail. I sell my own services there, I link to my book; it seems for me, a conflict of interest. I understand the school concerns, too. Schools, for legal reasons, if not paranoia, want to control the content. What's problematic, though, is the blog of Joe Teacher, USA, who works for a district that doesn't support his own blogging pursuits. He's gone out on his own and started a blog. "I want to share this with my students and their families..." I feel for Joe Teacher. He's doing the right thing--and he's ahead of the curve set by the school or district. I just don't know what the solution is--unless schools are providing the space and guidelines. That's assuming Joe isn't criticizing his principal, blogging off-color jokes, and posting dog fighting videos. What should the rule be? Only ban URL posting when the censors don't like what you write? I think, to be fair, teachers ought to be able to have their own online space, but using district email to promote it, however good or bad, isn't fair. If the district provides the means to blog, great; it's supported. If not, or if you have things to say outside the confines of a district-sponsored blog, you have every right. But instead of using your position at the school to promote it, use the power of Google, and the links between blogs in "your network" to promote your identity and ideas outside of school. This might not be popular with all readers, but it seems the a reasonable compromise? When I first read the news, I was upset they were doing this (to teachers), but then I realized, I do this to myself already.

We don’t have such a ban on the books. But we do encourage teachers to put their weblog URLs (alongside their school name and their own names) in their email footers. I show them how to do this in training when they join our district.

The difference is: what they’re linking to is their school-hosted blog.

I have a school-hosted blog and I also have a handful of personal blogs, including one on education and technology. Having dual-blogs isn’t always fun, as I don’t like to cross-post. I post stuff of interest to a more general audience on my own blog, and content that’s more district specific (new–summer classes!) on the district blog.

I don’t consider my own personal blog, even though it’s on topics I deal with at school, as professionally appropriate for my school-based e-mail. I sell my own services there, I link to my book; it seems for me, a conflict of interest.

I understand the school concerns, too. Schools, for legal reasons, if not paranoia, want to control the content. What’s problematic, though, is the blog of Joe Teacher, USA, who works for a district that doesn’t support his own blogging pursuits. He’s gone out on his own and started a blog.

“I want to share this with my students and their families…”

I feel for Joe Teacher. He’s doing the right thing–and he’s ahead of the curve set by the school or district. I just don’t know what the solution is–unless schools are providing the space and guidelines. That’s assuming Joe isn’t criticizing his principal, blogging off-color jokes, and posting dog fighting videos.

What should the rule be? Only ban URL posting when the censors don’t like what you write?

I think, to be fair, teachers ought to be able to have their own online space, but using district email to promote it, however good or bad, isn’t fair. If the district provides the means to blog, great; it’s supported. If not, or if you have things to say outside the confines of a district-sponsored blog, you have every right. But instead of using your position at the school to promote it, use the power of Google, and the links between blogs in “your network” to promote your identity and ideas outside of school. This might not be popular with all readers, but it seems the a reasonable compromise?

]]> By: Phat Farm Store http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-54178 Phat Farm Store Wed, 14 May 2008 18:05:09 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-54178 <strong>Phat Farm Store...</strong> I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you.... Phat Farm Store…

I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you….

]]> By: NowlanS http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-54101 NowlanS Tue, 13 May 2008 22:27:38 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-54101 I think it is ridiculous that one person gets upset about something and then the whole gets ruined just because one person got mad. Having your blog on your e-mail signature isn't bad at all. In putting your blog address in your e-mail signature this only helps people know more about you and your ideas. I do not believe there should be a ban on promoting personal learning networks. Some people are inappropriate with the items they put on there blogs but not everyone is inappropriate with the items they post online. The school districts should not ban putting your blog address on your e-mail signature. This is a ridiculous precaution to take just because a few people put inappropriate links or things on their signature. The school districts need to check these people out before they hire them and if they do not find anything inappropriate when they conduct their initial search then there should be no problem in allowing these people to put their blog addresses on their e-mail signatures. Also the blogs on the e-mail signature should be limited to strictly educational blogs. If someone wants to find out what their personal blog address is they can e-mail them. I think it is ridiculous that one person gets upset about something and then the whole gets ruined just because one person got mad. Having your blog on your e-mail signature isn’t bad at all. In putting your blog address in your e-mail signature this only helps people know more about you and your ideas. I do not believe there should be a ban on promoting personal learning networks. Some people are inappropriate with the items they put on there blogs but not everyone is inappropriate with the items they post online. The school districts should not ban putting your blog address on your e-mail signature. This is a ridiculous precaution to take just because a few people put inappropriate links or things on their signature. The school districts need to check these people out before they hire them and if they do not find anything inappropriate when they conduct their initial search then there should be no problem in allowing these people to put their blog addresses on their e-mail signatures. Also the blogs on the e-mail signature should be limited to strictly educational blogs. If someone wants to find out what their personal blog address is they can e-mail them.

]]> By: Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either « Feed Your Mind http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-53923 Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either « Feed Your Mind Mon, 12 May 2008 18:43:50 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-53923 [...] Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either [...] [...] Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either Weblogg-ed » And No Blog Tattoos Either [...]

]]> By: Lisa Nielsen http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-53815 Lisa Nielsen Sun, 11 May 2008 22:43:17 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-53815 Gary, While we may not be able to explicitly equate blogging, social networks, and the like with intellectual activity, they have tremendous potential to do so and provide an opportunity for teachers to engage in intellectual practices. While this isn't automatic, the tools make it possible and that is fantastic. In my blog post today I share an example of how my social network has promoted intellectual activity with it's newest member who shared that she was bursting with answers and shaking with excitement that she will finally be heard. She thanked me for creating an outlet that is so needed because teachers don’t always have a chance to exchange ideas. I did have the expectation that the NYC DOE would support me in sharing a professional blogs, social network etc. I couldn't imagine that they would not celebrate quality publishing and stimulation of pedagogical connections and conversations. Heck they paid 80 million dollars to create a system to do just that and I'm doing it for free in my spare time. I'm disappointed that they have enacted this mandate and I'm hoping they will reconsider. I'm not sure why it is you believe educators should not have such an expectation. I believe they should. Since this story has come to light many educators have shared they also have this as an expectation so much so that innovative educators around the globe now have new professional email signatures. Lisa Nielsen - The Innovative Educator http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com Gary,
While we may not be able to explicitly equate blogging, social networks, and the like with intellectual activity, they have tremendous potential to do so and provide an opportunity for teachers to engage in intellectual practices. While this isn’t automatic, the tools make it possible and that is fantastic. In my blog post today I share an example of how my social network has promoted intellectual activity with it’s newest member who shared that she was bursting with answers and shaking with excitement that she will finally be heard. She thanked me for creating an outlet that is so needed because teachers don’t always have a chance to exchange ideas.

I did have the expectation that the NYC DOE would support me in sharing a professional blogs, social network etc. I couldn’t imagine that they would not celebrate quality publishing and stimulation of pedagogical connections and conversations. Heck they paid 80 million dollars to create a system to do just that and I’m doing it for free in my spare time. I’m disappointed that they have enacted this mandate and I’m hoping they will reconsider. I’m not sure why it is you believe educators should not have such an expectation. I believe they should. Since this story has come to light many educators have shared they also have this as an expectation so much so that innovative educators around the globe now have new professional email signatures.

Lisa Nielsen – The Innovative Educator
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com

]]> By: Gary Stager http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-53810 Gary Stager Sun, 11 May 2008 22:17:53 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-53810 Will, Alex spoke of teachers "being intellectual" in the context of writing and taking "intellectual risks" while blogging. You then replied by saying, "Alex. I think too often we don’t provide opportunities or support for teachers to be intellectuals, to expect it of them in fact." You did not equate blogging with intellectual activity explicitly, but Alex then responds to you by speaking of teachers engaged in "intellectual practices" two sentences after suggesting that blogs might be a space for such expressions of intellectualism. Will,

Alex spoke of teachers “being intellectual” in the context of writing and taking “intellectual risks” while blogging.

You then replied by saying, “Alex. I think too often we don’t provide opportunities or support for teachers to be intellectuals, to expect it of them in fact.”

You did not equate blogging with intellectual activity explicitly, but Alex then responds to you by speaking of teachers engaged in “intellectual practices” two sentences after suggesting that blogs might be a space for such expressions of intellectualism.

]]> By: Greg Carroll http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-53809 Greg Carroll Sun, 11 May 2008 22:10:03 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-53809 Having been an ICT PD facilitator I couldn't have done the job (well) without my blog. Lisa it would be interesting to provide 'robust feedback' to the District as part of your appraisal process about how the lack of overt link to it has limited your ability to fulfill your job description?? Having been an ICT PD facilitator I couldn’t have done the job (well) without my blog. Lisa it would be interesting to provide ‘robust feedback’ to the District as part of your appraisal process about how the lack of overt link to it has limited your ability to fulfill your job description??

]]> By: Will Richardson http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/and-no-blog-tattoos-either/comment-page-1/#comment-53807 Will Richardson Sun, 11 May 2008 21:35:40 +0000 http://weblogg-ed.com/?p=2851#comment-53807 Thanks for the comment Gary. Once again, I find the response interesting in the way you interpret the conversation. Where do you read that blogging "automatically" equals intellectual practice? Thanks for the comment Gary. Once again, I find the response interesting in the way you interpret the conversation. Where do you read that blogging “automatically” equals intellectual practice?

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