Job Discussion Forums

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

This is a bit off-topic--my apologies--as it relates not to teaching but to the forum. Still, it's something that has been bothering me, so here goes...

If you'll permit me to butcher a famous quote: "All posters are equal, but some posters are more equal than others."

I've seen a few posts recently that ask for information, and, a few replies later, say something like, "I was actually hoping that only (a certain type of teacher/poster) would reply."

Really, folks, is this not a public forum? Sure, I admit that I know very little about Kosovo, so I have not responded to that thread, and I have never taught in Latin America, so I don't post there. Still, why do we feel the need to tell people that their opinions/responses are not welcome? Even if replies are not deemed valid by the original poster, maybe other readers got some benefit from them.

On the newbie forum there's a thread about what the "pros" would have done differently. I am definitely not a "pro", having been in this field for only a few years, but still, I am qualified and do have some teaching experience. Thankfully, nobody told me that I was not "professional" enough to answer the question.

Am I the only one who has noticed this or is bothered by it?

d

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

People complain because when they ask a question they want to get the information they asked for instead of unrelated off-topic discussion.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I agree with you Denise. I`ve noticed a few posts recently in the Japan forum where they said they wanted Glenski`s advice. Why don`t they PM him then?

I`ve also noticed how many people start a thread and then when they don`t get the advice (opinion) they want, then they get really angry and defensive. Be prepared for differing opinions or don`t ask the question.

guest of Japan · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 1601 Location: Japan

I get the feeling that I'm a target of this thread. I recently did exactly what Denise is troubled about. In my case, I queried about the value of a PhD. I recieved replies from two respected posters, but they weren't telling me anything I didn't already know. I had seen the name of a long time user being logged on but he didn't respond to my thread, so I tried to pull him into the thread by calling him by name.

Let's face it, not all posters are created equal. Some people have a lot more knowledge in a certain area than others and you want to hear the ideas of those people. Of course you could pm the people you are interested in hearing from, but then you are denying others the opportunity to learn from them. Also you never know when someone who wasn't on your accredited list is going to pipe in with some profound knowledge.

Sorry if I made anyone feel insulted by my action. Have a nice day.