When I first picked up “The Tipping Point” by Malcom Gladwell, I thought of several comedic sketches: 1. The last straw on a camel’s back, 2. Cow tipping (favorite past time in Texas) and 3. When someone reaches the boiling point.
Now, I may be a cynic when it comes to reading informational texts, but after reading the first 3 chapters of “The Tipping Point” and reading the word epidemic over and over, I couldn’t help but think of how videos go “viral” on YouTube, Twitter explodes with different hashtags like: #Congress #edchat #sharknado, and Facebook is used by businesses more than consumers…just to name a few.
Most recently, I was involved in a twitter chat called #1to1techat. On November 6th, we had an extensive discussion about using technology in the classroom and if administrators should make it a mandatory requirement for all educators.
Many Twitter chats are archived for reference, You can see the archives here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1onmwHblRlbPGVoSYgp0fqtQm0Kk6L9N3ixjihH9rt-c/edit
In chapter 2, the author discusses “a Connector”. So does that make me a connector? Or connected?
I most recently was hired based on my LinkedIn profile. So again? Am I connected or a connector? I got a job through a personal connection, a reference, a previous professor, an acquaintance. But I’m not sure what the author would call that one.
I like to think of myself as a Maven; someone with a wealth of knowledge about computers, technology, and teaching. I feel I need to be continually learning in order to stay current and on topic. I’m not trying to sell anything,(well maybe I am —to use technology in the classroom) So maybe I am a Salesman too…even though I’m just letting you know it’s out there and how to use it.