Comments on: The Map Is Not The Territory: the changing face of the edublogosphere http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/ ...education, technology, productivity. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:41:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Are you an ‘Edupunk’? I’m not. at dougbelshaw.com http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-6267 Are you an ‘Edupunk’? I’m not. at dougbelshaw.com Fri, 30 May 2008 20:59:58 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-6267 [...] Despite the fact that I’ve set out my stall saying that the edublogosphere is (in some ways) changing for the worse, an ‘Edupunk’ movement is not the answer. [...] [...] Despite the fact that I’ve set out my stall saying that the edublogosphere is (in some ways) changing for the worse, an ‘Edupunk’ movement is not the answer. [...]

]]> By: Kristine http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-6102 Kristine Fri, 02 May 2008 01:41:15 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-6102 Doug, Interesting post. I tend to agree that those who jump on the new technology bandwagon fail to fully grasp how this technology can change existing teaching methods or even how to properly use the tools. However, I would rather see adoption of new technology than an outright fear of it -- which is something that I think is more likely among educators today. Kristine Doug,

Interesting post. I tend to agree that those who jump on the new technology bandwagon fail to fully grasp how this technology can change existing teaching methods or even how to properly use the tools.

However, I would rather see adoption of new technology than an outright fear of it — which is something that I think is more likely among educators today.

Kristine

]]> By: Scott McLeod http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5991 Scott McLeod Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:04:46 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5991 Doug, I wonder if you're expecting too much of people. For example, it was only after about 6-8 months of immersing myself in the blogosphere that I truly started to understand this complex new learning environment and what some of the pedagogical possibilities were. Was I driven by a deep desire to enact change? Yes, I always am. Was I viewing blogs as a way to facilitate that? No way, not then. Does that mean I shouldn't have immersed myself? No, because it was only by diving in and learning that I came out the other side more knowledgeable and more ready to use these tools as you describe. I'm guessing that many others are traveling similar journeys. Accordingly, I'm more than willing to give people the benefit of the doubt as they explore the possibilities with all of this new stuff. How else are they going to make sense of it all? Doug, I wonder if you’re expecting too much of people. For example, it was only after about 6-8 months of immersing myself in the blogosphere that I truly started to understand this complex new learning environment and what some of the pedagogical possibilities were. Was I driven by a deep desire to enact change? Yes, I always am. Was I viewing blogs as a way to facilitate that? No way, not then. Does that mean I shouldn’t have immersed myself? No, because it was only by diving in and learning that I came out the other side more knowledgeable and more ready to use these tools as you describe. I’m guessing that many others are traveling similar journeys. Accordingly, I’m more than willing to give people the benefit of the doubt as they explore the possibilities with all of this new stuff. How else are they going to make sense of it all?

]]> By: Doug Belshaw http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5987 Doug Belshaw Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:02:18 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5987 Hi Corinna, I'm certainly not suggesting (as Dan Meyer <a href="http://blog.mrmeyer.com/?p=721" rel="nofollow">seems to think</a>) that there's a black-and-white distinction between 'those of us who've been around a bit' and 'you lot'. Not at all. What concerns me is the fact that instead of being driven by a notion of 'something needs to change in education' to 'right, what are the tools which will help me do this?', it seems to be 'wow! cool tool!' and then 'how can I retro-fit this to existing pedagogies?'. I'm all for using Web 2.0 and other educational technologies in education. Even a passing glance at what I've been writing over the last 2.5 years would bear witness to that. I would hope, however, that my use of these technologies has mostly been driven by a desire to change the whole system. I think it's the case that, sometimes, people both new and old to the edublogosphere can focus on the 'coolness' of the tool rather than on the pedagogical impact it may have... :-) Hi Corinna,

I’m certainly not suggesting (as Dan Meyer seems to think) that there’s a black-and-white distinction between ‘those of us who’ve been around a bit’ and ‘you lot’. Not at all.

What concerns me is the fact that instead of being driven by a notion of ’something needs to change in education’ to ‘right, what are the tools which will help me do this?’, it seems to be ‘wow! cool tool!’ and then ‘how can I retro-fit this to existing pedagogies?’.

I’m all for using Web 2.0 and other educational technologies in education. Even a passing glance at what I’ve been writing over the last 2.5 years would bear witness to that. I would hope, however, that my use of these technologies has mostly been driven by a desire to change the whole system. I think it’s the case that, sometimes, people both new and old to the edublogosphere can focus on the ‘coolness’ of the tool rather than on the pedagogical impact it may have… :-)

]]> By: Corrina Gideon http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5986 Corrina Gideon Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:04:41 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5986 Hi Doug - Thank you for your comments. You have certainly been around and contributing much longer than I have, and I respect your ideas. However, I feel that I must insert myself into this conversation as one who is "building a network" and in the process listening in on and becoming part of "the conversation". I feel discouraged when you seem to classify those of us who are trying to change our part of the educational world in the best way that we know by suggesting that we “have no desire to transform education…” because that’s exactly what I think I’m trying to do. Granted, I may not follow someone else’s blueprint for change and I barely know how to operate my new blog – but I do have ideas for change and I do recognize that we must change our collective systems if we are to make a meaningful future for ourselves and our students. This reminds me a little bit of a comment I overheard a few years back at a software training. There were many people at the training who had limited experience with using this software (isn’t that funny…it wasn’t that long ago, but that training was considered ‘cutting edge’ in my district) but they were there, nonetheless. One of the participants wanted to ask what I thought was a valid question, but felt afraid because – according to her – the instructor “made you feel like her knowledge only belonged to her”. At the time I remember thinking how sad that was, and this conversation makes me feel the same way. To everyone who’s been around for awhile, I’m suggesting that you realize there are many of us who want to be part of whatever conversation is out there. The last thing we need is to feel unwelcome because we aren’t doing it “right”. I believe that we all have something to contribute and it’s okay to not be on the cutting edge as long as you are at least on the path. What do you think? Hi Doug -

Thank you for your comments. You have certainly been around and contributing much longer than I have, and I respect your ideas. However, I feel that I must insert myself into this conversation as one who is “building a network” and in the process listening in on and becoming part of “the conversation”. I feel discouraged when you seem to classify those of us who are trying to change our part of the educational world in the best way that we know by suggesting that we “have no desire to transform education…” because that’s exactly what I think I’m trying to do. Granted, I may not follow someone else’s blueprint for change and I barely know how to operate my new blog – but I do have ideas for change and I do recognize that we must change our collective systems if we are to make a meaningful future for ourselves and our students.

This reminds me a little bit of a comment I overheard a few years back at a software training. There were many people at the training who had limited experience with using this software (isn’t that funny…it wasn’t that long ago, but that training was considered ‘cutting edge’ in my district) but they were there, nonetheless. One of the participants wanted to ask what I thought was a valid question, but felt afraid because – according to her – the instructor “made you feel like her knowledge only belonged to her”. At the time I remember thinking how sad that was, and this conversation makes me feel the same way.

To everyone who’s been around for awhile, I’m suggesting that you realize there are many of us who want to be part of whatever conversation is out there. The last thing we need is to feel unwelcome because we aren’t doing it “right”. I believe that we all have something to contribute and it’s okay to not be on the cutting edge as long as you are at least on the path. What do you think?

]]> By: Doug Belshaw http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5939 Doug Belshaw Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:46:10 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5939 <blockquote>It seems to me that there are too many people saying the same thing - at least on the edutech-oriented blogs. Which is why I tend to avoid reading them with the exception of two.</blockquote> I'm glad this blog (it would seem) is one of them! ;-)

It seems to me that there are too many people saying the same thing - at least on the edutech-oriented blogs. Which is why I tend to avoid reading them with the exception of two.

I’m glad this blog (it would seem) is one of them! ;-)

]]> By: Miss Profe http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5937 Miss Profe Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:29:40 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5937 I think that the reason there are not many fresh ideas is because of the Web 2.0 cliques that have developed. Since everyone chooses to follow "the anointed ones", those bloggers with something really unique to offer aren't getting the attention they should. It seems to me that there are too many people saying the same thing - at least on the edutech-oriented blogs. Which is why I tend to avoid reading them with the exception of two. I think that the reason there are not many fresh ideas is because of the Web 2.0 cliques that have developed. Since everyone chooses to follow “the anointed ones”, those bloggers with something really unique to offer aren’t getting the attention they should. It seems to me that there are too many people saying the same thing - at least on the edutech-oriented blogs. Which is why I tend to avoid reading them with the exception of two.

]]> By: Significant Blog Posts http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5930 Significant Blog Posts Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:58:56 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5930 [...] Belshaw’s excellent post, The Map Is Not The Territory: the changing face of the edublogosphere, generated an idea that a list of significant blog posts should be created so that bloggers new to [...] [...] Belshaw’s excellent post, The Map Is Not The Territory: the changing face of the edublogosphere, generated an idea that a list of significant blog posts should be created so that bloggers new to [...]

]]> By: Seminal blog posts at dougbelshaw.com http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5923 Seminal blog posts at dougbelshaw.com Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:00:47 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5923 [...] the (large!) comments section of a recent post entitled The Map Is Not The Territory: the changing face of the edublogosphere it was suggested that we need a repository of seminal blog posts. These are the posts that have [...] [...] the (large!) comments section of a recent post entitled The Map Is Not The Territory: the changing face of the edublogosphere it was suggested that we need a repository of seminal blog posts. These are the posts that have [...]

]]> By: Jess McCulloch http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5912 Jess McCulloch Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:33:56 +0000 http://www.dougbelshaw.com/2008/03/28/the-map-is-not-the-territory-the-changing-face-of-the-edublogosphere/#comment-5912 I'm glad you wrote the line 'keeping up with the joneses' as I have thought this often lately and have found it to be more than a bit disheartening. I also find all the 'should dos' that get sent around the blogosphere to be a bit irritating. I agree totally with Lisa about quality being much more important than quantity. I'll try to remember that everyday when I face google reader and decide what to read, rather than trying to read everything! Insofar as what you wrote about not much changing in the education system/s it is disappointing to think that in the 21st century we are still so far behind where we should be and that our workplaces don't match up to our conversations. I would say we still have to realise that we are a small group (technology and Web2.0 wise I mean) who are pushing the boundaries and that change takes a long time, but sometimes I just want to scream "How much longer is it going to take!!! It's time for a change. The fact that you've been doing things this way for years is the exact reason you need to change it!" I’m glad you wrote the line ‘keeping up with the joneses’ as I have thought this often lately and have found it to be more than a bit disheartening. I also find all the ’should dos’ that get sent around the blogosphere to be a bit irritating.
I agree totally with Lisa about quality being much more important than quantity. I’ll try to remember that everyday when I face google reader and decide what to read, rather than trying to read everything!
Insofar as what you wrote about not much changing in the education system/s it is disappointing to think that in the 21st century we are still so far behind where we should be and that our workplaces don’t match up to our conversations. I would say we still have to realise that we are a small group (technology and Web2.0 wise I mean) who are pushing the boundaries and that change takes a long time, but sometimes I just want to scream “How much longer is it going to take!!! It’s time for a change. The fact that you’ve been doing things this way for years is the exact reason you need to change it!”

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