When I think about the edubloggers that I most look forward to reading every day, their posts are very high in this ratio:
Or, put more succinctly:
This is just another way of reframing the old adage that you need to be interesting if you want readers, but I kind of like it.
We all have different interests so the list of edubloggers whose dopamine:yawn ratio is high will be different for each of us. For myself, some (but by no means all) of the edubloggers whose posts tend to fall primarily in the numerator rather than the denominator include:
- Alan Levine
- Bill Ferriter
- Clay Burell
- Dan Meyer
- Doug Johnson
- George Siemens
- Jeff Utecht
- Karl Fisch
- Kelly Christopherson
- Mike Parent
- Sylvia Martinez
- Tim Stahmer
- Will Richardson
and, before they stopped:
- Christian Long
- Jennifer Jennings (eduwonkette)
- Kilian Betlach
How about you? Who do you think has a high dopamine:yawn ratio?
Thanks, Scott. I'm honored to be included with that group!
In my aggregator the top folder is one named First Reads which includes the feeds from many of the people on your list (including yours). While some days are so busy I don't get below that folder, I always make time to read the posts in it.
Posted by: Tim | March 23, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Similarly, Tim, I have a folder at the top of my aggregator called 'Short List.' I, too, often don't get below that folder on many days. I try to, though, in order to broaden my input and avoid the echo chamber!
Posted by: Scott McLeod | March 23, 2009 at 02:04 PM
One edu-blogger whose work I enjoy reading is Sean Nash over at nashworld (http://nashworld.edublogs.org/). He not only writes in a thought-provoking way, but also connects his ideas using stunning visuals. I have to admit that I am partial to Sean's blog because we've made "virtual connections" several occasions via his blog and social networking tools. His horn deserves to be tooted a bit more often, in my opinion, due to his "dopamine"-filled work!
Posted by: Matt | March 23, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Don't forget Darren Kuropatwa at http://adifference.blogspot.com/. Especially if you like visual stuff!
Posted by: Hadass | March 23, 2009 at 08:51 PM
Hey- here's a funny one... I wondered why Feedjit was registering a bunch of people coming in to a my blog from a URL that didn't exist in my root.
Apparently, Matt's link above includes the ")" at the end as well.
And by the way, Matt. I've been called a dope many times, and yet this one was by far the most flattering.
Thanks for the kind words!
Sean
Posted by: Sean Nash | March 24, 2009 at 06:27 AM
While we're on the topic... allow me to too in the name of Punya Mishra. For those uninititated, this is the Dr. Mishra of the TPACK framework.
I never miss his blog. He writes about education, technology, visualization, and much more. You will certainly find an eclectic mix following Punya at: http://punya.educ.msu.edu/blog/
Posted by: Sean Nash | March 24, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Thanks, Scott. I am humbled by the comment.
It's a little scary making such a list since I KNOW that I will always leave out someone who deserves to be on it.
While it is heavy on library-related issues, I find Stephen's Lighthouse reliably reports on the newest studies and reports in educational technology
All the best,
Doug
Posted by: Doug Johnson | March 24, 2009 at 10:56 AM
@Doug: Yeah, I was a little hesitant too! This is by no means a comprehensive list for me but it does represent a significant portion of the folks that, personally, I find especially meaningful.
Posted by: Scott McLeod | March 24, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Scott - I'm very honored to be on your list. It really is fun to be out here amongst some of the smartest people I have ever read. Many thanks. I've passed you along to many of my cohort mates at Seton Hall.
Posted by: Mike Parent | March 24, 2009 at 07:01 PM
I'm honored by the company. Feeling guilty about lack of posts lately. Gotta go write something!
Posted by: sylvia martinez | March 25, 2009 at 12:47 AM
Great list here. Dan and Will are among my must-reads. Another blog I enjoy, and it's actually a podcast, is the Practical Principals put out by Scott Elias and Melinda Miller. And now, like Sylvia, I'm feeling a little guilty about not posting for quite a while! Better do something about that, especially now that it's spring break.
Posted by: Rick | March 25, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Thanks for including me on this list. I must say, seeing the others I am humbled to be included here. I know that my posting has not been what it use to be but we all go through droughts. I do know that most of these people are must reads for me. I agree with Rick about the podcast |Practical |Principals. It is a great podcast. I've several great posts just waiting to go, now to find the time!!! Again, it is an honour to be included here.
Posted by: Kelly Christopherson | March 30, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Thanks Scott! Appreciate the mention. The link you used is to my old site. Here's the new one. http://www.thethinkingstick.com
Cheers!
Posted by: Jeff Utecht | April 02, 2009 at 01:24 AM
Sorry, Jeff. Not sure how that happened. I fixed it!
Posted by: Scott McLeod | April 02, 2009 at 05:15 AM