Where have all the posters gone?

I've been part of this forum since 2007, and it used to be so active. It no longer seems to have the same activity as it did in the past. Has anyone else noticed this? That makes me a little sad.

 

I've noticed it goes in spurts. Since school just started for many forum members it may just be a slower period for a bit.

 

Hopefully it picks up. I'm guilty of no longer visiting as frequently as I used to in the past.

 

Ohhhhh,,,,, so it's your fault, Tamij. LOL I think cycles of new teachers vs seasoned veterans happen, too. For me, though, I think that the less choice that teachers have in how to run their curriculums and rooms, the fewer posters. If all you have to ask or talk about is how to implement directives from the state or admin, it narrows the possible subjects.

 

I am busy teaching so not as much down time. Also, I am not seeing many interesting topics.

 

I come on to post when I'm trying to procrastinate or to relieve stress. I've been asking a lot of questions lately because I'm in a new stressful position. However in the past I stopped posting for a while because I was in a comfortable place and didn't need a lot of help.

Also it seems a lot of posts are repeats of threads we've already gone into, so I'm not as interested in participating in them, because we've already been down that road.

 

This is never a reason I come on to post...
(please ignore the piles to my right...)

 

I just came on to check my notifications because I'm procrastinating right now. LOL

 

I have thought the same thing, although IMO it's been this way for the past year or two now. I used to post here all the time but now visit another forum much more frequently because it's so much more active than this one.

 

Gosh I haven't been on for years, I just randomly decided to drop by.

 

I miss quite a few f the 'old time' posters.

 

I read daily, but don't post nearly as much as I used to. I feel more and more that I don't have much to contribute to discussions, primarily because of the differences between the systems in Canada and the US. The open disdain I have received from some newer posters has also influenced, at times, my decision whether or not to post. While I don't care about their opinions, I don't need to open myself up to drama, either.

 

Which one?

 

Proteacher

 

It's the usual lull due to the first few months of school

 

I have to agree that many of the old posters offered threads that were very open to discussion without personal attacks. I have been turned off over the last couple of years by newer posters who don't share the same "family friendly" atmosphere that we used to have. The forum seems to have gone from a friendly sharing G rated place to PG13 rated.

 

I have my spells... This summer I was rarely on my computer and didn't get on the board on my phone.
I lurk a lot.

 

I'm on there, too. (Same name, so it's not a secret or anything - ha!) Weirdly, this one used to be much more active than that...but they seem to have switched. Maybe that's just my perception. I used to be on here much more and now I'm kind of 50/50, sometimes more over there.

 

This makes me sad! I've always loved your posts. I actually really enjoy hearing a Canadian perspective (although it usually makes me jealous because things seem a lot better up there - LOL!) and you always have so many insightful things to say.

I do agree with you, though. Not a fan of the drama.

 

I left for awhile from boards for the same reason. I did check my PM's with those that I "know".

 

I joined proteacher a long time ago. I just couldn't get into it. Now if I google for an idea and that forum pops up, I'll check it out.

I just like this place better.

 

I just can't step away. 15 years or so.

 

I've glanced there before, but for me, this site is much more pleasing aesthetically. I do lurk (don't want to bother setting up an account) on Reddit, but that's just to see other perspectives. It is funny when it's clear that someone posts both here and over there about the same topic

 

I've lurked there and found they are less accepting of different opinions even when stated without personal attacks. It seems many here who were very sensitive and no longer post here switched.

 

The "very sensitive" switched to over there?

 

Yes.

 

Nowadays, there are a ton of usernames on AtoZ that I simply don't recognize. Many of us longtimers seem to frequent the forum less often than before. I rather miss the good old days!

 

.

 

I came here from a substitute forum of much infamy. This is my teachery home.

 

Well that was stupid and that sucks. lol

 

I love this forum. I don't post a ton, but I do read a lot and always field questions out if I don't feel comfortable asking admin or colleagues in person. I started reading here when I first started teaching in 2011, now two countries later I still love to come on here. I really like being in touch with the current teaching situation in America. My husband and I want to move back eventually, but we aren't sure when. This forum helps me keep in check with what's going on back home in the schools, so I appreciate hearing everyone's experiences.

 

I do agree that this site is much better to navigate!

My husband got me into "ask reddit." I haven't made an account yet, but I've come close. I've also gone on the teacher reddit and the Gilmore Girls reddit a bit...

 

To piggyback on this, I love that I've learned so much about teaching in other parts of the country and even world on this board! I really feel like I have a better idea about education outside of CA because of this board.

 

You know I was just thinking about this. To some degree, I think I'm less baited than I used to be by some folks like teacherman who would post some fairly crazy things (upside down reading anyone?) but just grounded enough to be fun to discuss. Nothing against him personally, by the way - I actually liked the guy and enjoyed that he would post controversial stuff. I've probably come on here more for those "big educational issue" conversations like state testing, charter schools, etc., and it just doesn't seem to happen as much. Not sure I miss it, truthfully, but it was probably a bit more engaging.

I'm also a bit more busy now than I used to be.

 

I think the wonderful parts about those times is it really forces you to understand your own point of view / reasoning and drives you to carefully word it so that you can try to convince others. That's how I'm feeling in my 3rd full year with some of my colleagues: while we agree on many areas, there's spots where we vehemently (sp?) disagree, but that's made me have to carefully form my philosophy; it was clear at Curriculum Night that I firmly believed what I was saying and felt as though I had research to back it up...whereas my first full year I was basically just giving a quick overview of what we were using, not saying too deeply about my own philosophies.

 

I'm so swamped at school, with very few planning periods free (meetings--ugh!), that I hardly have the time like I used to! I'm so exhausted when I get off, that's it for me!

 

So well said mathmagic.

 

I really think there are 2 basic types of posters right now. Some that are looking for group support about difficult things at work and some that are looking to hash out aspects of teaching strategies.

 

I am also a member of both forums. I use this one to catch up with all the older posters and to marvel at the threads from some of our more "eccentric" posters.
I use the other site if I am looking for something more specific in forums that we don't have here.

 

Too busy with school right now for much in the way of posting! I hate that other forum's formatting so much. That keeps me away, though I do post there sometimes, too.