Monday, May 13, 2013

Lurk, Broadcast, Create, Engage

There's lots of stuff floating around the Interwebs at the moment about engagement with social media.

Like this Stages of PLN adoption infographic and article, written a few years ago but still provoking discussion.

Abigail asked, which stage are you at?
OK, so I've definatley been through the stages of immersion (twice...) and evaluation (including irrational frustration that some of my key people are not on Twitter). I think I'm possibly going through the know it all stage again right now with the 23 Mobile Things course. I love the perspective stage, leaving it all behind to enjoy a wireless holiday (gone is that jittery addiced feeling!). And finally balance. A worthy goal. I tried a bit of balance yesterday. After realising that I'd been connected and connecting online all day, I read a book in the evening. But why did by mind keep sneakily returning to my mobile and my Twitter feed? I didn't allow myself to check it, but whatever happened to the days that I could immerse myself in a book and not be distracted by ANYTHING?

One way I've decided to combat this addictive feeling, apart from consciously choosing to switch off when it's sensible to do so, is to be less of a lurker / broadcaster and more of a creater / engager. It forces me to slow down and choose what to respond to, which is whatever moves me to do so. I've been a terrible lurker in the past. But I'm determined to change. Here's my list:

1. Use my blog to reflect on what moves me
2. Post comments on others' blogs
3. Converse more, broadcast less on Twitter and Instagram

Another thing I liked recently was this post on the Forbes website. Jessica's post was called How to be Interesting but I would re-title it Being the Best You Can Be (sounds less like you're tyring to please someone, doesn't it?) or even Things to Consider When Blogging. She's got 10 points, each with a cute little infographic. One of them was "embrace your innate weirdness" - apparently that's what makes us as indiviuals interesting.

My favourite blogs to follow are the ones that have a little bit of personal / strange content as well as lots of professional content. Now to implement that in my own blog...

3 comments:

  1. Just wanted to let you know that I really love your blog; great reflections on ANZ 23 Mobile Things and a perfect start to this blog. I think you've got a writing style that is really interesting and easy to read, and I enjoyed the depth of your reflections. Like you, i also enjoyed that article from Forbes about 10 ways to be more interesting and am trying to embrace the 'quirky' in my blog posts too! I will add your blog to my blog roll (once I've got it sorted - another thing on the list for this week) and I look forward to your next post :D

    Abigail.

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  2. Thanks Abigail! I love your blog too :) and really appreciate all that you and the team are putting in to the course.

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  3. I totally relate to not being able to switch off - my iPad is the worst influence, at least I couldn't take the PC to bed with me! I looked at these PLN stages while studying, my thoughts at the time are on my blog: http://catherinehocking.edublogs.org/2012/07/10/my-personal-learning-network/
    I feel, like you, that I'm guilty of lurking about the peripheries. Joining 23 Mobile Things is the perfect opportunity for me to finally get off my lazy backside and start contributing, hence I am going through the cycles again, although I by no means see the five stages as discrete.
    Again - great blogging! :)

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