Thoughts By Jen

It has been a while since I have posted about twitter……except for a few bursts of twits, I am scaling back and becoming much more of a lurker than a participant…..

but maybe lurker is the wrong word here…..I have become much more of an observer than a participant would be a much more correct choice of words.

Why so, you might ask??

Because, deep down, Jen is an introvert and very much enjoys watching others and seeing how people think, react, respond, and handle themselves in situations.

And what better place than on any social network.

And what I have observed (and read) lately has been quite interesting and I stop and ponder if people really are ready to have themselves followed?  And are they aware of the consequences if they were to be followed?  And are they aware of the  legacy they are posting that affects not only themselves, but the reputation on their school, their children, and others?

I really don’t think so.  (and please don’t ever assume that the “protected” twitter status protects you.   Often many people who protect their tweets are RT or screen shot for others to view.)

I could give examples of twitters, plurks, and facebooking comments that have been visible lately (in very hurtful and unprofessional ways)  — but I know you can visualize them yourself.

And I wonder — do you really want people to follow you?

Just recently, at an ed-tech conference, a quite rude comment was sent out regarding the personal hygiene of someone else near by.  Then, in the keynote, the use of twitter was highly encouraged.  Now, what if after that keynote….the person (who had been twittered out about) turned to the person who had twittered and asked if they used twitter and if they did, could they show them how.

I don’t need to continue the scenario — you can write your own ending — but my scenario would end with embarrassment to both and probably not really a Trophy Winning Moment for the powerful use of a PLN.

I both love and hate puns — but one that continually sticks in my mind is:
“Tweet others the way you wish to be tweeted.”

Be wise enough with your comments (on any social platform) that if anyone ever wanted to follow you — you would have no qualms at all at saying “this is me and this is how you search.”

Be wise enough with your comments (on any social platform) that you present your school either in a positive light and do not damage its reputation or consider finding another workplace.

Be wise enough with your comments (on any social platform) so that you don’t damage your child’s/spouse’s digital footprint.  (sorry, but it makes me quite sad to read disparaging comments about spouses and children)

Be wise enough with your comments (on any social platform) so that at any time — any where — you don’t have to explain what you meant to someone who might just have been the victim of your latest comment and is also your newest follower.

Be wise enough with your comments (on any social platform) to read them carefully before you hit submit and remember, at all times, there is a delete or backspace button available for use.

Just my thoughts.
Feel free to add yours.

Jen

In the next few moments — more than likely — I will officially type my 9,000 twitter……okay, probably unofficially because I delete some and also was @jlwagner for a while before I moved to Jen Wagner.  So to do a true reflection — I decided to count days instead of twits — and reflect a bit.

For those who don’t know the backstory — @ijohnpederson introduced me to twitter at the NECC 2007 conference in Atlanta.  I pretty much spent my entire conference sitting in the bloggers cafe and at one point @ryanbretag twittered out he was chatting with me.  Within moments — honestly, not more than 2 minutes, @markwagner comes dashing up to meet @ryanbretag because of that twitter.  And I saw how twitter connects people……and as someone who enjoys hooking others up, at that moment I was hooked myself.

So the reflection……after less than 1,000 days…….. or 9,000ish tweets….

Twitter — the slot machine of my edtech life.  Each day I sit down and pull the handle and wonder what will happen.  At times, JACKPOT and at other times I sit there and wait for that “win” that will make all the wasted moments fade away because of that moment of “WOW”.

Twitter — the bridge that connects me (a former preschool teacher who touched a computer and who’s life changed almost immediately) to people all around the world who amaze me with their knowledge, their choice of words, and their continual push for excellence.  They inspire me to “climb every mountain…ford every stream.”  Yet, accept me where I am.

Twitter — the mirror of reflection as I watch adults do what they advise their students not to.  I cringe when I see “who are your twitter followers” or “how many days have I been on twitter” (BTW — I used wolfram/alpha to calculate mine — no password needed) or anything else that makes you log in with a password in order to get your twitter statistics.

Twitter – the chain of links, where I have made friendships that have endured much, that I have lost friendships that seemed rock-solid due to misunderstandings and unfair knee-jerk judgements.  Where there are friends who I have never met yet know if I needed help, help would be provided.  Where I have rejoiced with good news and cried over sad.  We have heard of babies born, engagements celebrated, new jobs accepted, old jobs left, sickness, hurt, and sadly….even death.

Twitter — the timepiece of the last two years.   Where I can record happiness and sadness.  Successes and failures.  Things I am very proud of and moments that make me cringe.  Some twitters are embossed on my heart, my brain, and smiles — even on my posts.  I have lost more time thinking of twitter yet saved more time because I have been on twitter.  It is the oxymoron of my life.

Twitter — the watering hole of influence, judgments, suggestions, criticism, ideas, laughter, correction, guidance, sifter of thoughts, measure of success, and lantern of things to come.  Though I do not agree with all….and all do not agree with me….I continually learn, am stretched, and have a much more improved vocabulary than before.

Twitter — I had no idea on June 25, 2007 just exactly what impact it would have had on my life.  At times, I would like to go back to June 25 and say “ahhh John, don’t think so, but thanks….but I think I will pass.”  Yet, on the other hand……there are friendships, knowledge, ideas, and more which I would have missed out if I had not tried twitter.  However, I still wonder the ramifications it will have over time.

But all in all…..with the good….and with the bad……twitter is now a part of my life……and I can 85% say that that is a pretty good thing.

Smiles
Jen

To “retweet” is to repeat/quote someone’s tweet.
The syntax of your tweet should start with the abbreviation RT or the word Retweet followed by the username of the person who tweeted it (e.g @User) and then finish with the content of the actual tweet

Retweeting on twitter has been interesting to watch.  It almost looks like a “star of approval” that your original tweet was worthy enough to be shared again (and to give you the credit for it.)

But lately I am watching an interesting phenom where you might be retweeted but then something else is added to the tweet.

For instance — I might twitter:
Oh, take the time to read this blog.  Enjoyed it very much

And I wander away — no great impact on twitter….just my thoughts.

Later on, I see it twittered:
RT @JenWagner Oh, that the time to read this blog.  Enjoyed it very much.   Interesting comparison of “this vs that”.

Hmmm — wait a minute.  That isn’t what I said……

And though, the example that I give is pretty tame.  However, recently I was retweeted where my entire twit had additions to it of something I would not ever have said.  (in fact, it was not only embarrassing but a total contradiction to who and what I am.)

Now, this is NOT making me think about blocking my twitters.  (for me, doing that would nullify ANYTHING I ever say about collaboration) but it making me realize (again) that my content is no longer always my content.

I can not control anymore what is done with my words, pictures, presentations…etc…if I place them on the internet.  I can Creative Commons/Copyright everything and anything….but unless I want to “phobia out” and spend my days checking….I just have to admit being online now does have both pros and cons (regarding my content).

But — I will admit that whenever I see a RT from anyone….I go back to the original source to see the original tweet.  And if it is worth RT, I will RT it in the original context.   If I want to add more….I will add another tweet — or blog about it.

How about you –
What do you think about RTing — and then RT with edits??
Jen