That is the question. Well, that's not really the question. The question is: To Publish or to Present?
Well, I really don't like giving presentations. I get really bad stage fright. Even sitting here typing this post is kind of making me nervous. Yet, despite all this, I would rather present my work than publish it. I would really like the personal connection that I won't be able to get if I simply publish my work. If I were to present it, I might make a connection with an educator that wouldn't necessarily have time to read certain publications. I can tell stories, I can make it more personal, I can make it real. When you publish this type of academic work, you don't necessarily get that opportunity.
So, where should I present? I would like it to be somewhere with some regular, everyday teachers. I might consider presenting also at some type of technology teachers association, but technology teachers probably already have an idea about using social networking sites in education, and I would like to reach some teachers that perhaps may have never thought about it before. Since I prefer small groups, it would be even nicer if it was a small venue, or even a panel situation. I went to the National Science Teachers Association convention last year, and it was a very well-organized conference with lots of rooms and a great variety of topics being presented. I think that might be kind of a big goal, and I don't know if this really qualifies as science, but I would like to go back to a conference like that.
I think the best presenter are those who have been through the experience. Then tend to have the best at giving a wealth of knowledge and you are probably outstanding. The fact that you have something to give others is a start to being an effective presenter. We have all been to conferences and realized that this person is only basing their information off of research and not necessarily from personal experience and we as educators find ourselves tuning them out! I think you are probably a great presenter and if you present more you will be fabulous... But publishing you work is great too, so just go for it either way, make sure you get the information out there!
ReplyDeleteBy the way I love the title!