What encourages or inhibits you from participating in online discusion forums?

I check the forum probably every day, but I don't always post. Some reasons are the same that others have: not having anything to contribute, having the same ideas as someone else, not wanting to share too much specific information, and sometimes feeling ignored.

 

I wasn't going to reply, but I haven't seen my reason listed yet. It is all about a digital footprint for me. I am paranoid about saying things that might come back and bite me one day. Often, I will type a post or a reply and delete it if I think I wouldn't want my family/boss/colleagues/potential employers to read it. Of course, that's not always the case, but I am very conscious of the advice I give my kids - don't commit anything to the Internet you wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.
Am I paranoid? Haha!

 

I could have written this post word for word! Usually, I would just say "yep" in my head and move on, but since this thread is about why people don't post, I felt I should acknowledge the sentiment. (This is why I want a "like" button.)

 

I'm just shocked to know that there are hula hoop and broken leg forums!

I haven't participated in other education forums because I think there is a pretty wide representation of teachers in various regions here. Except for the ultra political or snarky ones, that is.

 

There have been times that I've started reading a thread on here, find that it's gotten almost out of control with vitriol, and decide that entering my own thoughts might cost me my head.

 

Yep. Whether in the classroom or on this forum an important attribute of full participation is a feeling of safety to do so. Debate, stating one's idea/opinion or disagreeing professionally is somewhat of an art form. Some are naturals with a knack for not backing others into a corner and can disagree in such a way you admire not only their comments but, also, if not more so, the way in which they are presented. Bill Gates (whatever you think of Gates) replied in an interview regarding how he treated his managers, "I may disagree with their ideas but I never disagree with them as a person."

 

Yeah, I feel like there are a lot of math, English, and history teachers, but not that many foreign language and science teachers.

 

I really miss reading your posts, Mamacita...

 

I agree with the others.

I'm pretty internet savvy, so if I am interested in a topic and want to speak with lots of people who can relate or provide input, I will actually seek out a forum. I am not sure if that's exactly how I came across this forum, but it probably is.

I post because I need advice or can make a meaningful contribution to a thread.

I don't post often because the general board is typically filled with elementary and above teachers. As a preschool teacher, I usually stay on the preschool subforum.

I also may not post if I do not feel like I am knowledgeable about the subject.

I will post if the topic interests me. I enjoy this forum because although there are older members who post alot, they are not snarky or snappy at newer members.

 

Science teacher here! Maybe us science teachers need to post more...I mostly lurk, personally.

 

Not talking about this forum, but I have taken online classes with X required posts per week, in addition to required commenting on the posts of others. I understand the sentiment but I hated being forced to comment on things when I had nothing to say. I could tell from the posts of my classmates that many of them were just going through the motions as well.

 

I do agree with you on this because it was my first year to teach biology in over 10 years so it would be nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of.

Caesar--I enjoy reading your posts and will usually read through the posts that you start because I know you are also high school and I like your ideas.

 

Maybe we need to have a subforum for science teachers. I do have a google group that has lots of science stuff at all levels from another group that I am a member of. If you would like access PM me and I will send you the details.

 

Ditto! :wub:

 

I have gone through a few somewhat short periods of not posting. One was after I read, again, A New Earth. I questioned why I was posting much of the time. Sometimes it was just to put my opinion out in the world...and I determined that wasn't always a valid reason to post. Other times I stepped away when people have been outright mean and I just needed an escape from it all...which sucked, because A to Z is supposed to be my escape. But being attacked and accused of things which are untrue...well, heck, I didn't even have to endure that in middle school, so I am not interested now.

But mostly I love the forum and the sharing of experiences and ideas! I am not a social person at all, so it provides a bit of that.

 

This!

 

Yes! I will be teaching AP Biology next year for the first time ever, and I don't think there's anyone on here who teaches it, so I joined another forum just for AP teachers (over at the College Board website). It's definitely hard to get high school subject-specific threads to take off here, because these boards are so elementary-focused.

 

I teach hands-on science to kids AND to teachers. I also teach teachers ways to incorporate science into other subjects. I'd love to have a science thread!

 

I am teaching AP biology, biology I, environmental science this year. Last year I taught AP Biology, Biology I, Chemistry, and Physics. Besides the AP Biologgy and Biology I, I teach whatever they need every year.