I recently read a post on Durff’s blog about backchanneling that got me thinking. I would like to know if anyone is writing the insiders guide to backchanneling?! Are there any rules, suggestions or websites that will help an infrequent twitterer, backchanneler or newbie become an insider? If there is a guide, who would be qualified to write such a thing? I mean are there self-proclaimed experts and authorities? The reason I ask is because I am wondering who are the authorities I should be listening to? If there are indeed edtech authorities, on what merit did they become edtech leaders in the global sense? What makes their contributions bar-setting revelations? What have they contributed to the edtech dialogue? What makes someone a voice for the edtech masses? Is there a litmus test? How do experts choose the people they accredit with certain accomplishments or cutting edge thinking. How can we find out about all of the wonderful leaders in edtech who remain buried in the morass of backchanneling, twittering, chatting and more. There are frankly so many voices out there on the net it makes me wonder. I feel there may be untapped circles of expertise that I am not yet aware of. Will the real edtech authorities please stand up and be counted!
http://durffsblog.blogspot.com/2008/04/backchanneling-101.html
Tags: backchanneling, edtech, twittering
April 20, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
Thank you for your post — you ask a lot of questions.
I can’t address them all (LOL) but I have a couple of thoughts. To just give a small backstory, I just completed an interview with Dr. Cheri Toledo about backchanneling on Friday…..so (smiles) this topic has been on my mind recently.
To have a list of BACKCHANNEL rules might be hard to create because B/C can be used in a variety of venues and what works for one — might not work for another……so perhaps we might start a wiki and work on ideas that might (emphasis might) in different venues? Hmmm, just a thought. I just know that rules for b/cing with Elementary students would be MUCH different than college age.
But what I liked most about this post are your questions about the authorities — which made me smile.
Since 1999, when I really started “using” tech — my authorities have changed several times based on my need not necessarily their expertise. When I needed blog help, I knew who to turn to, as well with Google Earth, Drupals, etc.
However, because I tend to listen to the same voices — it is MYSELF who is limiting my options of authorities. I truly admire my network and the people I have chosen to “lead me” (if you will)…..but if I want to expand my network, it will need to be ME who makes the effort of finding new voices. So, at conferences like NECC, I might be heading out to hear some new voices — which will be hard because I enjoy supporting my friends who speak as well. Smiles, but perhaps telling them “I know you will do a good job, might be sufficient” !
Good post.
I look forward to hearing more replies.
Jen
April 21, 2008 at 6:18 am |
[...] Today’s Blog I Suggest You Read is KATHY SHIELD @ Rippling Pond. http://ripplingpond.wordpress.com/2008/04/20/backchanneling-twittering-and-being-in-the-know/#commen... [...]
June 2, 2008 at 3:21 pm |
My you ask so many questions!