Every so often, we read a post from someone who says he or she doesn't post often, or who wouldn't be missed if they stopped posting. This is an open invitation to you: Please, become a more active part of our online community!! For some of us, this site is a hobby. It's a place where I can go while the kids are playing Xbox or Wii or watching shows I have no interest in. I've made a number of good online friends here. But as a result, I know I tend to post a LOT. I would like to invite those who post less often to become more vocal here. Your opinions, experiences, and questions can only add to the richness of this site. Yes, I mean you. So here's a challenge: Go to All Posts ( in the top righ hand corner of the screen) and click. You'll see a list of threads. Post a response to 5 of the threads you see there. You can ask a question, post a suggestion (even of the "what would happen if you tried..." variety) or acknowledge that someone else's suggestion sounds good. Do the same each time you log on. It doesn't matter which forum it's in. Please, consider becoming more active here. All of us have something to contribute, and your contribution may just help someone else.
Seriously, as of a minute ago there were 54 members online, with 547 guests. If each of those 601 people posted something, just think of all the new life it would give this forum. Somewhere in those 601 posts would be the answer that might save someone's year, or help him or her find a job, or manage a difficult class.
...or a question one may be afraid to ask but whose answer could be found among the wealth of knowledge and experience of the many professionals on the forums.
Great idea, Alice. We all have students who we wish would contribute more in class because they have so much to share. Don't be that student who doesn't say anything because, "someone else will" or because, "no one will be interested in what I have to say". Be the one who isn't afraid to take a risk because they know they are in a safe place.
And if everyone would post more, it would happen less often that when I press "all posts" I get the message that there are none. Very depressing!
I'm trying! I've posted more in the last 2 weeks than I did last year. I think now that the wedding is over it's time to become more active around here.
I think it's a great idea but personally I think I will be less of a presence once the school year begins simply because I won't have the time. I hope to be able to check and post on Friday evenings or Saturday mornings. I joined in April (at the end if I remember) and have 1,080 posts now which will climb because I have other threads open I still have to respond to (if applicable).
Thanks for the reminder, Alice. I have not been as active around here since I've became a Principal. I'd like to change that. However, let me assure you that I still do teach 2 classes per day and I am and forever will be a TEACHER first.
May I please add, especially to the newer members, to not be intimidated by some of the vets. This is a community where all voices are vital. Each of us added our own voice slowly but surely. There are people on this forum who have become a virtual family to me. Others are better pedagogy professors than I had in college. I wouldn't have found either if I hadn't engaged in conversations. Join in a few, maybe even start one!
I don't post much because I feel like more of a "taker" than a "giver". Makes me feel like that needy student who always has their hand up, haha. What I mean is that I usually post asking for advice or whining about something. I don't post a lot of advice because I need a lot myself, lol. Beth
That is OK. I think many people start that way, and then as the weeks/months/years go by, they gain confidence and their role changes.
Thanks for the advice. I've posted more on here in the last month or so than my entire time of being a member. Most of them are still "yay you!" types of posts or posts that call for a generic opinion or experience, and there are still plenty of my "woe is me" threads, lol. Beth
Just keep posting! Think of it this way, whatever you are asking, 10 or 100 more were too shy or embarrassed to ask, so you ARE helping! And just wait, something you know the perfect solution for will pop up here one day!
You are wonderful, Alice. What a great thread. But, I did think at first that we were going to be invited over for dinner....
