I’ve got 5,081 followers on Twitter. How that number ever came to be, I have no idea. I’m simply a guy, trying to do the best he can in a job he’s not always very good at. Nothing more, nothing less. But with social media, I can project my attitude and thoughts a little further than the people in my building (many of whom would be saying “Thank goodness” right about now).
For a while, I thought that was pretty awesome, having people listening to the things I was saying, but the problem is, is anyone really out there? I’ve asked questions before and it seems like the question just echoed out there, unanswered. I’ve watched as people I connected with have come and gone. It’s wearing on me a little bit more getting me thinking about the size that this monster has become. No, I’ll never be an “edu-allstar” or an “edu-celebrity”, and that’s ok. I just want to have some trusted connections who don’t mind my quirky side of things, who don’t mind my love to educational chats, and who don’t mind my enjoyment of things OTHER than education that make their way onto my feed.
So, I’ll start weeding. I’ve got a website to show me who are those who’ve not tweeted in over a year, then, we’ll see.
It may sound like I’m down on social media, and in some ways I am. Some people have moved to other platforms, which is fine. Maybe I’ve just fallen behind the times, which is probably true as I’m just not able to focus on this as much. And maybe I’m just getting old. Who knows? Whatever it is, I’m just not seeing the huge benefit of social media that I once did. Yes, I need to keep doing it, but at what cost?
Maybe paring this down a bit will be exactly what I need.
And if not, I could also just quit it all and see what happens…….
#naw 🙂
October 11, 2016 at 3:18 pm
Frozen song is echoing in my head right now, thanks so much for that 🙂 . Do what you want and don’t worry about the rest. Wonder how all this social media will continue to develop? Were they really the good old days when phones had cords and you had to be home to talk to someone? I’m sounding like an old person, so I will #shutup.
October 12, 2016 at 8:47 am
🙂 I loved my corded phone because I could trip my brother with it! I do wonder where all this social media will lead us, and while it’s made me a better teacher, I’m not always certain I’m a better person for it. And as I watch my middle schoolers, I would say that’s even more true. But, that’s the old person in me talking too! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts!
October 11, 2016 at 7:50 pm
I can see your point, especially when I get Tweets offering to sell me 10K “followers” for $20. Seriously? Connections are one of the reasons I like link ups like SOL or Celebrate This Week with Ruth Ayres. It makes that huge cyberworld a little bit smaller and makes my tribe of true connection a little bit bigger. I think we all strive to be heard and to make a contribution. That’s why we keep doing this.
October 12, 2016 at 8:50 am
And that’s what I’m starting to find, that the huge PLN is great, but not always good for making those connections. And I’ll need to look up Ruth Ayres! I think I’ve had a friend suggest that before, but I need to check! Thank you for your thought here today! 🙂
October 12, 2016 at 8:10 am
This I love. I’ve been pondering social media and blogging SO much lately. Is it really necessary? Do I really need to be spending time here when there are beautiful friends and family right in front of me who need my time and energy? But I have made some great connections and it has challenged my thinking. But I love the conviction to keep it in perspective. Thanks for the thoughts.
October 12, 2016 at 8:55 am
Hey Kendra! 🙂 I appreciate your thoughts here as someone I do admire for the great work you do! And I’d agree, is it really necessary? I’ve made some connections, and I know my teaching has gotten better because of social media, yet, it just nags at me. I’m not sure why, but it just does. Either way, it’s something that’s not going to go away, so it is a matter of keeping things real in front of you. 🙂