Comments on: (Re)Creating Ourselves Online

By: Helping students learn to write « Random Thoughts

Helping students learn to write « Random Thoughts — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:18:38 +0000

[...] to Bud for the link to the [...]

By: Sherry

Sherry — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:37:06 +0000

I also find this subject fascinating. Exactly what is the motivation for a person's online identity and how often does it change? Are we portraying ourselves correctly? I actually made my first podcast on this very subject for one of my grad classes. Thank you Bud. I would love to be a part of this discussion. I have attached my podcast in case anyone is interested. Bud, I owe you an apology, I gave original credit to "coolcatteacher" as I am an avid fan of both and didn't have time to recreate, but you are the man:). My Podcast.

By: Ann Oro

Ann Oro — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:29:05 +0000

In addition to the aspect of people choosing aliases and screen names in general is the way students are constantly revamping their online id. Adults tend to find an identity and stick with it. Students (at least middle school students) make new ids continually. They don’t seem to worry about keeping the same email id or screen name. It would probably make interesting research. I’ll keep an eye out for your continued thoughts on the subject.

By: Bud Hunt

Bud Hunt — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:36:59 +0000

So many great comments here. Thanks.

Karl – I agree completely, and thought Will’s piece was helpful. I wonder if “managing” is a better word than “controlling.” I can’t imagine what your situation is like – but I do remember the first time my picture showed up on Facebook. I didn’t put it there. We’ve lost control of what gets said about us online. What’s left for us to control is how we react and respond to what’s out there.

Not sure if that’s liberating or frustrating.

By: Karl Fisch

Karl Fisch — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:06:51 +0000

Perhaps it’s just because I read them relatively close to each other, but for me this connects with a recent post by Will http://weblogg-ed.com/2008/making-kids-googlable/ . We need to think some more about how our students create and recreate themselves online, and how our efforts to keep them safe (“don’t use your full name”) may actually work at cross-purposes to that at times. Not that I have the answers, mind you, but I’m pretty sure our current approach isn’t sufficient.

I think another piece of this is the idea of controlling (for lack of a better word) your online self (reputation). As somebody who has perhaps lost containment on that myself (being defined at least somewhat by others), I wonder if control is even possible (or desirable)?

By: vegas art guy

vegas art guy — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 04:38:08 +0000

I’d be interested as well. As for my moninker It’s a combo of where I live, the fact that I’m a dude and I love art…

By: Betty

Betty — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 20:35:58 +0000

I am kind of new at this, so I will sit back and see what all of you have to say.

By: Bud Hunt

Bud Hunt — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:09:23 +0000

WOW. Lots of solid responses here. I guess we need to have an event. Let me chew on it for a few days. Any suggestions for format?

By: Mr. Educator

Mr. Educator — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 05:00:34 +0000

Hey, I really like the blog and would be interested in a conversation like you are discussing. I am brand new to the blog world and have attempted to start a blog that is from the male elementary teacher point of view. I basically have no idea what I am doing at this point, but my start is at http://www.educatormr.blogspot.com.

By: Art

Art — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:57:19 +0000

I think this type of roundtable discussion could prove interesting and useful. Have you thought of inviting Ted Nellen? He has a blog now, too. Appropriately enough he calls it CyberEnglish.