When Looking From Outside In

Lately I haven’t been on twitter much. Life has had other plans and I have had to follow along. Mostly I have missed the relationship factor & conversations. When I sign on it is either to “post and run” or to glance through a timeline. I’m used to having around 30 “@” a day. Now I get less than 10. I now see what people are talking about when they say they twitter is fast or they cannot keep up. I sort of feel like a stranger when I jump on. I’m pretty sure this is what new tweeps feel like when they join. I’m not sure that this is a good thing.

When I joined twitter 3 years ago we were all new to the medium so it was easy to jump on. Conversations were helpful, sharing links, and new friendships were slowly evolving. Developing a PLN was pretty easy. But last few days in my drop in I’m not seeing that. But I saw some things I am terribly guilty of and I can guarantee I’m going to work hard not to fall into this again.

We know at times we can be an echo chamber. I don’t think that is entirely bad but can be exclusive. Over last week as we all get ready for back to school I saw so many negative tweets about teachers. These were not from teacher haters like Michelle Rhee but from people in my PLN. Stuff like
they should be fired or how tired of these teachers some are not how to reach them. I am so guilty of this so if I point fingers I haven’t forgotten 3 more are pointing back at me. We tweet a complaint, others have the same and it snowballs. But imagine you are one of “those” resistant to technology or not sure how to change ways. First of all I’m pretty sure they are not resistant to make you crazy or to disrupt your life but because they are afraid or do not know where to start (I have been writing about this a lot lately I know, sorry to be repetitive). But say they go to a workshop about twitter & see a list of tweeps to follow. They sign up and see that? Once in 4th grade I heard my teacher telling another teacher I was dumb and she was sick of me. From then on I hated her class. Never tried in class and never wanted anything to do her again. It didn’t make me want to change!! So teacher new to tech logs on to follow tech leaders and this is what he/she sees. How discouraging.

I’m really not judging everyone just reminding. I’m not naive to not know people have had conversations or even written posts about what I tweet. Yes I goof off a lot here. I also am open about my struggles, which some have said some mean things about, that’s my personality. I know it is not most of our personalities to talk bad about people when we can help. We are educators, that is what we do, help and teach.

I hate to be the soapboxer but I am really worried about the perception we have to others. We need to be helpful & welcoming. Not discouraging or “can’t do this here.” What are we doing to help and encourage?

Sorry for my tangent but this has really been bothering lately. And I really to miss so many. Hope everyone’s year is going well.