Fifteen years in the past right this moment I used to be supervising detention after I wrote the primary put up on this weblog. I didn’t have any thought what was to come back over the subsequent fifteen years not to mention that I’d nonetheless be writing about academic expertise in 2022. So on this event, if you happen to’ll indulge me, I’d prefer to take a couple of minutes to replicate on the final fifteen years. People and Places
I’ve met some great folks and made nice buddies because of writing my weblog. I’ve been invited to talk at occasions on six of seven continents over the past fifteen years. If anybody is internet hosting a convention in Antarctica, I’ll be glad to talk at it. I’ve been to occasions in 49 of fifty states. New Mexico is the one one I’m lacking. And I’ve spoken at occasions in each Canadian province that borders the U.S. (one among my outdated canine bought to tag alongside for a number of of these 2012). But none of that may have occurred with out the assist of all the of us who’ve adopted my weblog and invited me into their colleges and conferences through the years. Thank you!
Sadly, among the folks that I met by way of this weblog (and social media) through the years are not with us. Sylvia and Allen instantly come to thoughts and I hope they knew that their work mattered.
Social Media
Over the years I’ve seen social media go from this odd place the place solely the actually techy/geeky folks had been hanging out to the actually odd place that it is in right this moment. I’m glad that I did not abandon running a blog to chase social media likes and views.
Only a number of of the individuals who frequently blogged after I began are nonetheless doing it on a constant foundation. Larry Ferlazzo, Vicki Davis, Kevin Hodgson, Stephen Downes, and Alan Levine appear to be the one ones I adopted then who’re nonetheless at it frequently right this moment. Keep it up!
Could’ve, Should’ve
Eight years in the past I had an opportunity to promote this weblog for a sum that may have given me a variety of monetary flexibility (particularly contemplating that I used to be single and debt-free). I handed as a result of I wasn’t certain what the heck I’d have achieved with myself with out running a blog. In hindsight, I in all probability ought to have taken the supply. Oh properly, stay and study.
Punctuation
In 1997 my freshmen comp professor wrote on one among my papers, “you throw punctuation round prefer it’s confetti.” I’m certain I nonetheless try this as a result of some good readers have corrected me through the years. My favourite was the one that used purple comedian sans font in all caps to right my errors.
More good than unhealthy
I’ve gotten some nasty emails through the years (sure, from academics) and a few of them actually sting. Overall, the nice ones far outweigh the unhealthy ones. And I hope that I’ve achieved extra good than unhealthy over the past fifteen years as properly.
Battling plagiarism has been a supply of frustration for nearly all the final fifteen years. I attempt to spin it as a educating alternative although it actually grinds my gears.