Posts tagged Blogging
The Executive Office of the President pays a visit to PrideandPromise.com
Jul 9th
In an earlier post, I highlighted some of my data collection from Google Analytics. It’s been quite interesting to follow the dynamics and trends that have developed over time. However I was a little surprised to uncover the origin of one recent visitor — the Executive Office of the President of the USA.
This blog usually receives 10-20 monthly visitors from Washington, DC — primarily from Congressional offices and special interest groups — so nothing seemed unusual until I checked this month’s service provider detail. “OMG!” was my first thought…and I probably can’t post what my second thought was…LOL!
I immediately followed with a flurry of clicks to verify a few more details and confirm its authenticity. I now have further validation to a phrase I use quite often in discussions about education — it all begins with the power of one.
Board Members & Blogging
Jun 15th
As a follow-up to my post from April 30th, the article ”Board Members and Blogging” [below] appears in the June edition of the PSBA Bulletin — the bi-monthly magazine of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
A huge “thank you” goes to my fellow cyber-colleagues Dr. Fred Baldwin (Carlisle Area School District) and Mr. Jim Butt (Cheltenham Township School District). I greatly appreciate your constant support and encouragement — and eagerly look forward to November!
Reprinted by permission of the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved.
Baseball, Apple Pie, and Blogging
May 1st
[a continuation from yesterday's post...]
“If you build it…they will come”
That whispering voice in “Field of Dreams” convinced Kevin Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, to build a baseball field in a rural Iowa cornfield – equally my “vision” of faith has followed a seemingly unconventional path as well.
What started out as a crazy idea from “left field” has uncovered several bases of interest – while having some unique similarities to the themes of this American classic.
This blog is cultivated on the WordPress platform, along with a few dozen plugins/widgets and techniques for search engine optimization. I also integrated a few other “farming” technologies including: Scribd (inline PDF viewing and document management), Google Analytics (tracking and data collection), AWStats (advanced web statistics), FusionCharts (dynamic flash charts…sorry for a shameless plug here – you guys rock!), NetworkedBlogs (social media network), and Twitter (micro-blogging).
“Go the Distance”
Despite a few challenges to the need for increasing public communication and engagement in education, I hope this project will continue to illustrate the need to plow under outdated methodologies.
In today’s fertile and technology-rich environment, effective communication needs to be nurtured with a proactive approach in a more timely and concise fashion – replacing any casual tendency (or perception) for another passive game of “catch.”
I included a few highlights of my “seedlings” and their current trends below. Click on any of the thumbnails to enlarge the image.
Google Analytics – Overview of Visitor Traffic
(March 20, 2010 to April 30, 2010)
Google Analytics – Map overlay showing global visitors
(March 20, 2010 to April 30, 2010)
Google Analytics – Map overlay showing USA visitors
(March 20, 2010 to April 30, 2010)
Google Analytics – Map overlay showing Pennsylvania visitors
(March 20, 2010 to April 30, 2010)
Google Analytics – Visitors from our district’s service provider
(December 2, 2009 to April 30, 2010)
Google Analytics – Top Search Keywords
(December 2, 2009 to April 30, 2010)
Scribd – Document Access Report
(January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2010)
To Blog or not to Blog – That is the Question
Apr 30th
I’m not sure Shakespeare would approve of my paraphrase below – although his penning of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy offers a great perspective and parallel to using this form of modern communication.
To “blog” or not to “blog” – that is the question
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And, by opposing, end them…
I was recently interviewed for an upcoming article in the PSBA Bulletin on school board member “bloggers” along with cyber-colleagues Dr. Fred Baldwin (Carlisle Area School District) and Mr. Jim Butt (Cheltenham Township School District). In preparation for the interview, I revisited my convictions for starting this blog – along with the vivid memory of a retired educator’s quote that I shall always remember… “If you are fearful you will never be successful.”
This statement is very true in so many different ways – especially since great rewards are never derived from valiant efforts void of potential risks. Hence that’s part of the confident attitude in accepting a few calculated risks through the use of this blog.
Although it has been nearly 5 months since my first post, I remain firmly committed to continue sharing information and insight from this role in public service. As education continues to face many collective challenges ahead, the impetus for better and improved communications has never been greater. School districts (mainly administrative teams and board members) must continue to work at tearing down the real (and perceived) walls of communication challenges with all stakeholders.
Successful partnerships that continue to meet the growing needs of educating students will only flourish and be sustainable in an environment of increased collaboration, engagement, transparency, and accountability.
Suggested reading: Lamar Johnson, “Take the Plunge”, American School Board Journal – April 2010
[Part II of this post will follow tomorrow...]
