How the Number 10 is Ruining our Credibility.

Through the firehose of social media comes tweet after tweet that could contribute to the growing and learning of the kids in our spaces of learning. There is an incredible culture of sharing that permeates the connected learning space. Though some of the quality information doesn’t contribute to the work that I’m currently doing, I’m certain that it does for others. The flow of information makes us better and helps us to grow. Our sharing supports learning in classrooms and districts where the fresh flow of information and ideas can be sparse. Having a connected educator lens has revived careers and saved the passion for teachers for many. It is so important that we continue to share with an eye toward quality information. 

Each connected educators has a responsibility to share, like, and favorite the best of the best material so that it rises to the top of the heap for all to enjoy. To hold to our responsibility in this area, it is important that we refuse the quick high of the garbage posts and information that can get a bevy of retweets across multiple hashtags and a slew of new Twitter followers. There are clearly folks that can’t seem to appreciate the harm that this does in the connected educator network. Passing garbage posts and information around and around fills our education air with population that doesn’t have the potential to impact the lives of kids in a positive way. 

I have been guilty of this in the past, so I point the finger at myself first, but over the past six months, I have worked to read, reflect, and curate before retweeting. Rarely and hopefully approaching never will you now see “ten ways to…” anything from my feed. These lists present education as something as simple as a top ten list, and we are definitely in a time when we need to bring more circles of supporters into the understanding of the very complex nature of educating children. 

Share like mad. Share you best stuff. Share. Share. Share. Please though, before you retweet, like or favorite something (at times without even reading it), ask whether it will contribute to a greater public perception of education and/or whether it is something that can truly impact the lives of kids. The information that we have plentiful. Let’s keep it from being polluted with the number 10 and all of its cousins.