Are administrators who blog and Tweet self-indulgent at the expense of their schools?

2 Responses to “Are administrators who blog and Tweet self-indulgent at the expense of their schools?”

1. 

   David Keane Reply April 21, 2012 at 8:55 am

   I would disagree with the idea that administrators should find something more productive to do with their time than use social networking or blog. To me moderation is important because you can very easily get wrapped in the online world and be inattentive to some of the needs of people right there in your organization. I think it all depends on when they are doing it (Tweeting, blogging, etc.) and how they are using the information or reflections they are “posting”. If we fail to recognize the tremendous ability to communicate with these tools we are a loosing out on a great leadership tool.
   We started a leadership class here at Fort Dodge Senior High and the students are reading several books. Their two favorites are You Don’t Need A Title To Be A Leader (Sanborn), and Tribes(Godin). They have each started their own communication network using Twitter, Facebook and Blogger, all free by the way, and have already established contacts with individuals from all over the world that have an interest in their “cause”. They are communicating the good things that are going on in our school and also soliciting support for a change they would like to see in the world.
   Although I am not a fervent web communicator, I get questions from people on a similar time allocation I make as a leader. I have had people ask me when I read all of the professional literature I read. My response is whenever I have a free moment. Yes that does mean while at school during school hours from time to time. I could work until the cows come home and still have things unattended to in our school. I feel strongly that the way to deal with these, however, is to look for systemic change and not just address the surface problems/symptoms. I understand why the question is asked as I too often wonder when the people get the time to interact on Facebook, Twitter, or even attend to their own blog. I really feel I should do more of this not less. I would agree that there is lots of back slapping going on, but to tell you the truth, it is more about the pride they have in those that work with them than it is in themselves. Additionally, we need to take every opportunity we can to share positive things in our schools through any means necessary. Mainstream news networks rarely report good things that are happening in schools, but you can be they will be there when something unfortunate or “bad” happens and generally they highlight the shortcomings of the system and those who work in it without taking into account all of the things the person does for kids, their school, and their community. So keep on posting all of those great things. When I read one that interests me it always provides me a means in which to pick the poster’s mind and thus extend my own understanding of the topic.

2. 

   Scott McLeod Reply April 21, 2012 at 10:11 am

   Thanks for chiming in, Dave. I love what your student leadership class is doing!

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