I’ve commented regarding Klout on here, here and here (see #46)…
but sometimes a picture can say more than words:
(Link to a larger version in a new window.)
community, connecting online, education, humour, leadership, metaphor, networks, pairadimes, Social Responsibility
Klout and Education: Never the two shall meet!
7 comments on “Klout and Education: Never the two shall meet!”
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Hey David,
I think this is a pretty brilliant graphic and couldn’t agree more that when we get wrapped up in social status versus social good when working in social spaces, we’re missing the boat in a lot of ways.
But I’m not sure that I agree with the “Never” in your thinking.
Here’s why: Classroom teachers have historically been easy to ignore by those who are working beyond the classroom — especially those who are living in the policy world that governs our lives.
My guess — based on their fascination with using numbers to sort and rank students and schools — is that those people might just take things like Klout scores and Twitter followers seriously when trying to determine whether or not WE are worth listening to.
While I hope that I’ll never ignore people based on their social status, I know that I get ignored by people with real power all the time because of my perceived status within our profession.
If my “numbers” help me to earn a place at the policy table, maybe they’re worth paying attention to.
Of course, thinking that ANYTHING might earn me a place at the policy table could just be wishful thinking, but I’m looking for anything that can boost my credibility in the eyes of people who make the decisions that govern our profession.
Any of this make sense?
Bill
Thanks for the thoughtful comment Bill,
Perhaps I should clarify a key point: “Never the two shall meet… philosophically”.
However, that doesn’t mean the difference should be ignored by educators. We teach students to be net-safe. We teach students how to interpret the influence of advertising. We teach students to be financially savvy (though not well for the most part).
We also need to teach them to be social media savvy… and that includes: understanding how to build a personal & professional networks, understanding how to manage their digital footprint, and understanding ‘influence’.
I could go on, but think that I’d be stepping on the toes of one of my future posts! 😉
Hope that makes sense, if not push-back is appreciated!
~Dave.
thanks sir, for design. I run a small school SHREE SAI SIKSHA NIKETAN in assam. It will help me a lot. I hav saved d flow chart..
I just read a letter to the editor of Writer’s Digest pushing back on the idea that the number of followers a writer has on Twitter should be considered by publishers and agents. She said “the content of the manuscript should stand on its own merits.” The response was that “you’re not being judged by numbers alone, but by your platform – and without one, a big publisher will have not interest in you, regardless of how good your content is.” Platform is your online presence, your community of learning. It is critical in both education and in a writing life. I think there is a tug of war between these ideas of klout and education because of the revolutionary shift that is happening in society. We have long been a species of domination. We are now becoming a species of interdependence. So your image is timely for this kind of dialogue. If we truly want to have influence, our orientation needs to be outward, towards service, rather than inward, towards self-interest. Plus, I just wanted to point out that your platform is awesome, and that you would already have what you need for a publisher to take interest. Hint hint.
Plus, klout scores and follower counts can make me go a bit silly. Became very foolish last week when informed that I’d been nominated for a blogging award. Am constantly amazed by my capacity for being a twit and things that matter not at all. Thanks, David
[…] She suggests knowing when to take its metrics with a grain of salt: “Klout is good for letting you know whether you’re succeeding in your efforts to improve: It is not and cannot be a measure of success.”
David Truss hits the nail on the head when he says: “TRUE influence comes with the delivery of good content, which adds value and is shared generously”. He also shares this diagram: […]