Job Discussion Forums

[caesar]

I was just wondering - do you see your participation in this forum worthwhile? To what extent does participation in this forum contribute to your personal and professional growth?

If you look at yourself in 10 years time, to what extent will you see your participation on this forum as worthwhile?

In case you don't know, your votes are anonymous even if your posts are traced back to you, so this is a perfect opportunity to express how you feel.

As a side note, I really am interested in how this vote turns out.

[johnslat]

Dear caesar,
I have to wonder, though, about the accuracy of such a poll. I mean, why would the posters here say their participation had a "negative" or "no" effect unless they were masochistic, moronic or both?
Hmmm, on second thought, perhaps I just answered my own question.
Regards,
John (with 2128 masochistic, moronic posts, so far).

[Will.]

Ave caesar,
Worthwhile? I don't visit this site for worthwhile I do it for a laugh, some info, a bit of input and the occasional bit of surprise info from elsewhere in the ELT world. To be honest not all of that is worthwhile but I have been dropping in and out for about 8 years. Now 10 more years........well
any participation is worthwhile if someone else can benefit from it, in this case it helps Dave get subscribers and so does my posting and the (moronic) posting of Scotand others, his participation helps others and you to get a response to some of our questions and that helps us all grow personally and professionally in a wonderfully heuristic and humanistically loving, caring, touchy feely kinda wayjust because we all know that out there in the the wide world of cyberspace and ELT there are others who can and will help us out with a kick in the arse, carefully veiled cynicism or snide comment just when we need it most. Why else would we all lurk out at a website lest there were only a blank screen to view with last post dated Christmas last year as is the case on some ELT sites. Do you read the funnies first or the editorial?

[Gordon]

I'd say a benefit, my wife would say a negative effect.

[denise]

Do you mean this particular forum/website, or all fora/websites in general (including yours)?

I don't expect the time I spend here to turn me into a teaching whiz--nothing but on-the-job dedication can do that--but I do enjoy it. So I'd have to say yes, it's worthwhile.

d

[latefordinner]

I've found that a few of the posters here provide insights and tips that help me be a better teacher. I have also been helped by some of the cultural/social insights in the China forum. Mostly however its been sheer entertainment value, as memorable as yesterday's DVD. Kind of like my classes. (Did I day that?)

[Magoo]

I said 'greatly', as I believe empathy is a great healer. Sometimes, I get home, tired, disillusioned, feeling worthless, and, hey! I'm not the only useless, ignored, put-upon teacher in the Universe. It's especially helpful on the China Off-Topic Forum, where I can see similar problems to my own (lack of imagination, too much useless study, rote learning, etc.). It's also good fun to read the idiotic/moronic/strange/downright psychotic(Cowboy Pete) posts; the Chinese do lack a sense of humour. Apart from my wife, that is...

[caesar]

I see a great deal of nice, honest answers. Definite food for thought.

Denise, to answer your question: I was referring to this particular forum, but if you want to expand it to planet earth as a whole, feel free.

[denise]

Planet earth as a whole is a bit too much. I was actually thinking of your tag line.

d

[khmerhit]

On the whole, I would say (to answer the question) "NO".

But I don't normally think in terms of worth.

Yrs peremmptorily

kh

[shmooj]

Professionally it doesn't really do much for me except to provide me with a permanent group of peers. While this sounds fairly trivial, in the rapidly changing environment of a long-term EFL career where I will be moving around the world every few years, having a place where people are familiar is very beneficial. It provides stability and continuity.

It is also a great source of info from the front lines in various ESorFL scenarios which is invaluable when considering moving location or job.

[zaneth]

I'm addicted. I can't stop myself.

signed,
masochistic moron

[struelle]

I find this is THE place for professional growth and networking, as the complete lack of these resources at my current school make Dave's a necessity. As well, there's the empathy and being able to vent, although I'm trying to tone this down.

During my part-time job I have a great group of peers to bounce ideas around and also a wide range of resources. That, plus this resources, are enough to see me through the dry times during the week.

Steve

[arioch36]

professional growth .duh, what's that supposed to be, like a cancer or something, or just a hairy mole?

[Wolf]