Job Discussion Forums

[leeroy]

In a vain attempt to put off going to the (horror) shops... Here comes another OP.

Not since the internet have we (humankind, I suppose) ever had any means of communication similar to discussion forums such as this one. It's not as spontaneous as spoken conversation - but has far more tempo than written correspondance. Anyone in the world can join in instantly to a discussion in progress, or can start a topic of their own. It's as if everyone with a modem has a massive megaphone broadcasting their voice to the entire world - well, at least those in the world that are listening.

As has been observed before, Dave's tends to be more civil than a lot of other forums. I'm sure the anonymity and relatively low risk of "getting your head kicked in" helps people to become more confident and confrontational - but while these people sometimes grace the pages of the "General Discussion" forum, generally they don't. ("Korean Discussion" is another story )

So what is it about Dave's that contributes to a more mature and objective style of discussion?

Could it be that we all have something in common? We all work in the same field, and all have experience of dealing with other cultures. Does this in some way "bond" the people here? Although most discussion forums are topic based - perhaps Dave's is simply more focused.

But often the longest and most substantial threads have little to do with teaching. Recently we've covered shaving, altruism and what to look for in a partner... People have (understandably) differing views on these subjects - but they are (for the most part) argued coherently and respectfully. We don't simply get on because we all think the same thing. (Yes, scot47 and Glenksi's comments can sometimes feel a bit "spiky" - but these rarely unravel into full on slanging matches!)

Compared to a lot of other forums, I feel there are simply less posters here. The Lonely Planet website has a plethora of forums, with literally hundreds of thousands of posters - the "regulars" here probably amount to less than a hundred.

Perhaps it is the motivation people have for posting here. Mostly, I sense, people post out of a genuine desire to give, share, or receive information. Compare this to other forums (where it can be more like "Ha ha! I'm right, you're stupid"), perhaps people here are basically posting for the right reasons.

Are people here relatively well-eduacted? Well, it is a teaching web-site, I suppose they would be! The people on this site are not representative of English Teachers as a whole - I sense it's mostly the people who take it moderately seriously that come on here. Maybe we share a "common enemy" of bad teachers/bosses/students. I would guess the vast majority of posters here have a university education - and are both interested in and compassionate about their jobs. How many people in the world are like this?

But Dave's wasn't always so "friendly" - a little while ago (and, in fact, when I really made my debut with the "Shagging students" thread ) it was all far nastier. The entire climate was more confrontational, the "degree/no degree" threads were going strong - there was less of a spirit of "sharing information/experiences" and more of a "prove everyone wrong" one.

Well, I've knocked about a couple of theories, but nothing conclusive.

Why is Dave's as how it is?

[guest of Japan]

Warning very short answer ahead.










In general, teachers are nice people.

[dmb]

Is it because the moderators are quite strict? I've had one warning and it was a comment I meant as tonge in cheek. I'm too afraid to get too confrontational

[Glenski]

[donfan]

The reason this forum doesn't have as many people is that who wants to go home and talk about work?

I would much rather go home and talk about getting away from it all(i.e Lonely Planet) or my outside interests(e.g Aussie Rules football).

[khmerhit]

Leeroy:::::Here's the reason dave's is copasetic---he hired Capergirl to supply a level influence, and she brought in Jslat as senior consultant in learned musings and measured posts. It's really a cabal of good heads-- a mafia if you will.

seriously, tho-- youve got a lot of clever people living in remote foreign places in a fledgling, er, industry, and they (we) have little to no recourse to extracurricular feedback except thru dave. That my zwei pfennig!

merry xmas to Dave Sperling!

[johnslat]

Dear khmerhit,
Thanks for the compliment - even if only in jest. But it's leeroy himself and dduck who seem to have most of the "learned musings". I'm here mostly for the laughs - and, God help me, I AM the answer to donfan's question:

" . . . who wants to go home and talk about work?"

Yup, I confess - I actually LIKE to talk about work.
Regards,
John

[Freaky Deaky]

Leeroy - what was that about shagging students?

[foster]

Depending on the discussion board, they can be downright nasty. I feel Dave's is much more professional than others. Could be that we are all teachers in one form or another or that (in my case) I genuinely want information and am willing to share information to help others.

As for the moderating, I have never been warned for anything, but knowing that it is there could be a reason people are nicer.

There is a forum on asiaxpat.com that can get down right nasty at times and I rarely post there, since (a) half the time, my messages are ignored since everyone knows everyone or (b) it is just too childish.

I like Dave's and I think it is a great place for information.

[Wolf]

I think it might have something to do with the subject matter and the clientelle. This is a forum about teaching, and many of us live in climates where we have limited contact with others in the profession - and some of us live in countries with no professional EFL organizations open to us at all. So this place becomes a combination of information exchange and shooting the breeze with kindred spirits.

Just an idea.

[Twisting in the Wind]

[Twisting in the Wind]

ah yes, dear Wolf is another "older" poster I recall from Daves days of yore, so there are more out there, I'm sure...

[Twisting in the Wind]

Hamish(okay, another one--okay, I'll stop now... )

[leeroy]

[Aramas]