An Olympic Fall

A couple of weeks ago, I tried to get some more movement from this blog.  I was the only one in the CCCO community without any posts and was trying to get some more interaction.  What I tried doing was giving the people who were reading here a purpose to post in the community.  In this case, with only a few exceptions, it didn't really take off.

However, sometimes it's the side effect which are the most effective.  For example, I learned from Lisa that many folks are reading the blog, not from the community, but from RSS readers.  (I as well use Google Reader for most of my blog reading.) This makes it very difficult to post as it requires going to a separate site.  This makes me think about whether I should be using outside websites as much as I do in my classes.  Also, I didn't give much in the terms of motivation.  Maybe I should have found a carrot to offer too.

So, while my Olympic idea didn't go viral, it wasn't a failure, but more of a fall.  Besides, while it didn't happen in the Olympics, it gives me a chance to show this video. :-)

Falling Isn't Failing

As a Colorado native, one of the things you have to do as a kid is learn to ski.  The first few times were spent on beginner slopes snowplowing and falling.  However, as I progressed I was starting to find myself on tougher and tougher slopes, but I was still falling.  So, I did what any kid would do, ask my friends who were better skiers.  One said something that still sticks with me, "If you aren't falling, you aren't getting better."

As I've gotten older I've really come to appreciate that wisdom.  You see, sometimes those of us who have been teaching awhile have a tendency to sit back and cruise.  We don't like to fall down.  It hurts and we still have our scars when we were starting so we take fewer chances.  The problem is if we do this, we "aren't getting any better."

So, if you are feeling like you are cruising, start taking some more chances.  Yes, you may fall.  (I did with my Olympic experiment despite Karen's best efforts, but more on that next week.)  On the other hand you will learn what works and what doesn't while expanding your horizons.  More importantly, you will be passing a message to your students about trying new things.

Is This Thing On?

After blogging for the past few weeks, I'm still the only one without any comments in the community.  While a touch discouraging, it's nothing to experiencing the same thing in your classes.  What do you do when your students don't seem to be reading the News or other items you need them to read on a regular basis?

I have an idea to try to generate some traffic here which may also work in your classes.  Let's see how many references to the Olympics you can put in the other blog writer's threads in the next week or so.  Make sure you are staying on topic, but when given a chance, mention something pertaining to the Olympics.  I've posted one in Phyllis' discussion area named "Old News" to get you started. 

The most creative ones I'll reference here.  (In your class, you could give extra credit.)  If anyone asks where you got the idea, don't be afraid to send them back here. ;->