What's In a Name?

[Jan Sugerman]

I think we should use our real names here. What do you think? Not so long ago when the internet was first gaining in popular use, many of us protected our identity when we joined chat rooms or even used an email address. That has changed. More of us are becoming comfortable having conversations with strangers about issues we care about. And over time these strangers become acquaintances and perhaps friends.

However we are also realizing that there are rules of public internet life and they aren’t that much different from the rules of regular public life. When we decide to express an opinion in our local paper, we submit a letter, where it is required that we attach our real name. This is important. It ensures that one person is not pretending to be many different people, it ensures that a person will accept responsibility for their opinion (and that doesn’t mean there is a right or wrong opinion!) and it ensures civility.

I think the idea of an active public life has been buried in the last twenty years or so as we became mainly consumers of everything, even education. We’re a bit unsure as to how we can be public and our activity in an online community can be the beginning of that engagement. There is one other reason for attaching our real name to our comments. It personalizes them, and makes the reader more responsive to what you are saying. It makes us care.

Please join this discussion and let us know what you think. (I'll talk about adding pictures next time!)

[Jacqui Strachan]

Does that mean that I have to stop pretending to be Jacqui Strachan? She's so darn cute. :-)
But seriously, great idea, Jan! When I am greeting newcomers to the community, or chatting with people online, I find it is much easier to have a name to use, as it just feels more like I am talking to a real person. That is probably because, in my heart of hearts, I am terribly old-fashioned, and really value face-to-face communication. Just ask Jan and Gay how long it took them to persuade me to try this online community thing! Somehow, having a real name to talk to makes it feel more personal to me.
Signed,
Really, truly Jacqui Strachan. Just ask my mum. Of course, ever since I came along, she goes by Mrs.X.

[Marco]

This online community currently has 275 registered members, the vast majority of whom will not likely ever reveal much about themselves online, and who are not doing much more than "lurking" - reading and learning. That fits with all online (and offline!) community trends and seems perfectly acceptable to me (check out this "Social Technographics Profile" tool to see the vast difference between online content/social media "creators" vs. "spectators" - http://www.forrester.com/Groundswell/profile_tool.html).

While I'm posting my actual name and photo here, that's my choice and I don't think it really matters if you know that's my actual picture and my real name, or not. And, really, what do you know about my by looking at my picture and seeing my name? Not much, unless you already know me or have heard of me (and even then!).

What's great about an online space is that, whether you know who I am or not, it's my ideas that matter, not me. And, really, that should make people care. Not who I am or who you perceive me to be, but what I have to say.

So much of our offline interactions seem to hinge on who we are rather than our ideas, why force that baggage online? Privacy is only one reason why people used to choose not to reveal their identities. There are many other reasons. Sometimes to misrepresent, sure. Many times for other personal reasons. This technology allows us to fully engage in discussions, ideas, etc., without the added pressure of having to represent anything other than those ideas. I think Jan said it well: "More of us are becoming comfortable having conversations with strangers about issues we care about. And over time these strangers become acquaintances and perhaps friends." You will all most likely remain "strangers" to me except via this online community. That's just fine. We don't need to meet for a coffee to share ideas or interact about things that matter to us. It's what makes this tech great. What matters is that we can share ideas beyond space and time and that we can learn/share with each other. Isn't that "social" enough?

I think it's great if people want to reveal their true selves online. I think it's even better if they want to share their ideas and insights, regardless of who they are or if I know them. Sure, I would love to know more about people - more complete profiles would be great - beyond just names. I could probably know more about a community member from their profile (not that I've filled mine out in any detail!) than their name/picture.

Just my thoughts.

Marco

[Jan Sugerman]

Hi Marco
They are great thoughts and well considered. And yes it seems to me as well that "lurking" is just fine and maybe it's only when people start to engage more in the discussions that I am interested in their name. For many years I was a lurker and sort of afraid to use my name. I do know that when I see a photo of a person (and I really don't like photos of myself, but oh well..) and when I learn a bit more about them, then I am reminded in some deeper way that this is a whole person writing here and sharing their ideas.

[Jan Sugerman]

I appreciate your comments Archana (Deborah) I think you have clarified the concerns and reasons why people are reluctant to use their “real names”. I am sympathetic to the idea that it gives them a sense of safety and allows people to feel they can be heard. I do hope that one day they will feel comfortable using their “ real name” . I say this in part because it has something to do with participating in public civic life. It has to do with real empowerment. Here we hope that people will engage in debate and discussion about our public schools, what they are and what they can be. We will naturally disagree and have different points of view but with a respectful exchange of thoughts and concerns, something quite responsive and new might emerge. I think we really do learn from each other especially when we really listen to what the other person is saying.

[Mike]

I agree with Marco. It's usually only a handful of forum members or listservice members that actually do the lion's share of discussion. Feels to those who actively participate like they're in a fish bowl....or in some kind of geeky science experiment for the onlooker/lurkers.

Hey, but isn't that how it is at school? A few dedicated parents do the majority of work on councils, committees and volunteering.....with the majority staying not doing much at all?

[Jan Sugerman]

What an interesting observation.....the fish bowl effect!! I suspect that is how many feel. I see it as an act of generosity when people participate and sometimes it's just scary as you don't know what response, if any, there will be to what you've posted.

[Sheila Stewart]

Have been thinking about this one for some time. I struggle with it! When I joined this "on-line community" I felt it was important to use my real name--maybe it keeps me in check! I felt that a fake name would mean that I didn't trust that what I might say would be accepted, or would it would not be authentic enough. If the overall purpose here is to help make a difference in education, I decided to put my name behind it.

This may also may be a "generational" thing for me. I do not have a huge comfort zone or experience in online life! I really prefer in person dialogue! But we have a changing world and if this is what helps ideas and communities stay connected, then I will adjust! I do respect others preference and choice on how they participate here though. However, I do often make the effort to understand a person's perspective and viewpoints by considering what their background and experiences are. Perhaps we can be less judgmental when we understand "where someone is coming from". It has helped me a lot in various situations all my life. We are shaped by our experiences, and that shapes our perspectives. I think we respond differently, if not more compassionately, to people knowing and understanding and considering that.

I remain hopeful of the potential for this online community to help many. I hope it remains a welcoming place to visit and to hash ideas around. Have to admit at times I do relate to being in the fish bowl!

This quote might have a place here: 'Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." But I recognize that our roles, titles, and obligations might prevent this....as well as using our own name!

Thanks, Jan, for starting this conversation!

[Jan Sugerman]

Great to have your comments Sheila and I think they are very helpful. This process of developing an online community and relating to one another primarily through our ideas is challenging. As more us get involved, it will no doubt keep changing but I do hope that more people will feel comfortable attaching their real names to what they say (for all reasons given before). Cheers!

[Sheila Stewart]

Hi Jan....just revisiting this discussion as well....glad it is still here! I think the more I participate here, the more I may be with you on this. I like it when people use their real names. This way of communicating still seems so odd at times for my old brain, so real names may give me the comfort I need perhaps! I still chuckle about the "fish bowl" reference here!

[Jamul]

Like it or not, it doesn't matter what the discussion forum is, it's usually a few diehards to participate but the lion's share are lurkers. As no email discussions can be 100% secure AND there are idiots everywhere who want to do damage or hurt individuals no matter how collegial the welcome and discussion the option for using another name should be respected. Unfortunately, there are some who experience the wrath of the system when they are outspoken and ask intelligent questions. I know we don't like to talk about it but there's a very ugly side to education if you happen to not agree to it all, or have issues/problems. Often that "village" it took to raise that student disappears when problems erupt or the parent works hard to advocate for their child. Ask any parents of a special needs child how hard they have to work to just get what is promised their child.

I have no problem with folks using tags other than their names.

[Mike Hunt]

What does it matter? Most of the people on this forum will never meet each other so who cares what label they attach to their comments -- its the comments, opinions and concerns which matter the most. I also have no problem with folks using tags other than their names. Is this a social network or is it a forum to represent educational issues?

[Jan Sugerman]

Hi Mike,
Thanks for your reply. Interesting question as to whether this is a social network or a forum to represent educational issues. I think it can be both and it is better and more lively because of that but I do wonder what others think.
We do hope to meet as many online members as possible at the conference in November and I see the development of 'meet ups' as the next logical stage of the online world. This is where online people gather and meet in their actual local community to continue the conversations and develop connections in the world beyond the online one.


Mike Hunt said:

What does it matter? Most of the people on this forum will never meet each other so who cares what label they attach to their comments -- its the comments, opinions and concerns which matter the most. I also have no problem with folks using tags other than their names. Is this a social network or is it a forum to represent educational issues?