Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
How about a little disclosure here? Are Steve Dembo and Sue Waters getting paid to promote a commercial product (I assume Alan Levine's rah rah post is unpaid, though you'd never know from the tenor)? Was Dembo being paid when he started plugging it on his site back in early April? I don't care if people want to make a little money, but let's keep the advertising content in the edublogosphere clearly labeled as such, OK? Because, as it stands now, I can't trust anything Sue Waters and Steve Dembo write - and that's an unhappy state to be in. Alan Levine, CogDogBlog, May 27, 2008. [Link] [Tags: Marketing] [Previous][Next]Comments
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Man sounds like someone peed in your cheerios this morning, bummer.
I've not been paid, nor did I know of anyone else being paid, and never get paid to blog anything, nor do I appreciate an unfounded speculation of such. I came across a tool and blogged it-- Steve told me about it a few weeks ago, and someone told me about the contest. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Alan, I said (and I quote) "I assume Alan Levine's rah rah post is unpaid." I therefore did not say you were paid.
But we have Steve and Sue judging a contest with a significant giveaway. How does this happen? Not by accident.
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
That's pretty easy to answer. I'm not being paid for it. When I first saw the site, I thought it was pretty slick. That's why I spent FAR too much time creating that EduBlogger quiz. Because I created that quiz, the guys at MyStudiyo asked me for feedback about the product and whether I'd be interested in judging their little contest. And since I happen to be a fan of their site, I agreed. Simple as that.
I totally understand your concerns, and I agree with them. However, I have never accepted money to post something on the blog, and if I ever did I would most certainly disclose it.
BTW, for the record, if you were wondering whether I was getting a kickback for judging the contest or blogging about the site, you could always have gone straight to the source and asked me directly. Thankfully Sue pointed out your post to me, or I might have missed it. I'd hate to think that an accusation like that would go unanswered, particularly when it is no more than a misunderstanding.
So thanks for sharing your concern and glad that it was such an easy one to address.
Steve [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Stephen -
I asked Sue just now about this and no, she didn't get paid. She just liked the product. Nor is cocomment. As far as I know she has always given full disclosure on the fact that she is paid to blog by edublogs, however, as I asked her, "have they ever asked you to post on a certain topic or controlled the content" and her answer was no.
I think perhaps you have jumped to a conclusion and may owe them an apology. Full disclosure is so important to being trustworthy in the edublogosphere. If someone is being paid, they should say it, period.
In this case, I don't see a wrong. Steve Discloses that he is paid by discovery, Sue discloses that she is paid by Edublogs. You disclose that you are paid by a Canadian educational organization.
Please check this out. You carry a lot of weight in the edublogosphere and if you're going to harm someone, make sure that it is accurate.
Vicki Davis
Cool Cat Teacher [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Let me put it another way: don't you think that being given a computer to give away to your readers is a form of payment? [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Re: being given a computer to give away to computers - NO, I don't consider this payment! This whole topic is so isolated and restricted to education bloggers that it's rather absurd. Disclosure is good form on any level, but calling people out by name like this isn't good practice. Giveaways are commonplace in every other blogging circle, why is it any different here?
Kate Olson
http://katesays.org [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Whoa. Back the truck up. Whose cornflakes are we talking about? "accusation"? "harm someone"?
I think, "How about a little disclosure here?" and "let's keep the advertising content in the edublogosphere clearly labeled as such" are completely reasonable things to say regardless of how much I despise the term "edublogosphere". :)
Peter Rock. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Just to clarify I am not getting paid by MyStudiyo. How did it happen? Well they contacted me and explained that they were planning this competition and asked if I could be a judge with Steve Dembo. I thought about it and decided I was happy to be involved because I had seen Steve's quiz, liked the product and saw the value for educators.
Understandably there is a difference between being paid to blog and being paid to blog about a product. I'm not being paid to promote any product and if I was I would fully disclose it.
There is only one company that pays me and that is Edublogs who allow me the freedom to make my own decisions regarding content. I'm paid per post which works out to less than the "minimum wage" (wouldn't even pay for a takeaway meal for the family).
Regarding aidRSS Christy Tucker in the Comment Challenge blogged about how you can use it. I had never heard of it so decided to try it out. Liked its features so wrote a post to share with others. No different from any of the other times I have road tested products and reflected on my thoughts.
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Re: being given a computer to give away to computers - NO, I don't consider this payment! This whole topic is so isolated and restricted to education bloggers that it's rather absurd. Disclosure is good form on any level, but calling people out by name like this isn't good practice. Giveaways are commonplace in every other blogging circle, why is it any different here?
Kate Olson
http://katesays.org [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Although I haven't met them in person, I pay attention to Steve and to Alan and to Sue; and what they have to say carries weight with me. They've established credibility with me over time in all sorts of ways, and I value their perspectives.
It is clear that none of these individuals is being paid in this instance, but even if they were, I don't think it would bother me. When someone recommends something to me, it's always my responsibility to check it out and to decide for myself. It doesn't matter whether the recommendation comes from a paid shill or from someone who doesn't stand to gain. I haven't yet met anyone anywhere who is completely objective. --Paul Hamilton [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
"Let me put it another way: don't you think that being given a computer to give away to your readers is a form of payment? "
Umm... Stephen, by mentioning the contest in this post, you are doing as much to advertise the contest as I did. So you have now been given a computer to give away to your readers as a form of payment.
Don't you think you should disclose that to them?
Yes, I jest, but seriously... There was no requirement that said it was only open to my readers or Sue's readers. Far from it. The contest is open to everyone and your readers stand to gain from it as mine.
Steve Dembo [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
I agree with Pete and Stephen - full disclosure is so important, but accuracy is also. I'm not disagreeing with full disclosure!
However, there is no disclosure to give here. I don't think the free computer just goes to their readers but as a result of the contest which they are judging.
However, to say: "Because, as it stands now, I can't trust anything Sue Waters and Steve Dembo write - and that's an unhappy state to be in."
That is simply wrong.
I do trust Sue and Steve Dembo, although not implicitly -- we all have a responsibility to check things out and we can all mess up as I did last year with the Microsoft Firefox debacle when I fell for a parody website.
But in this case, I am saying that this is not accurate in that these two people did not get paid by the company who has this product. Maybe they just have a good product and savvy marketing people. I don't know, I haven't used it.
People listen to you, Stephen, but we all make mistakes. I'm just saying that perhaps the statement I quoted is a bit over the top and not accurate.
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Okay I can tell it's getting late in the school year. Play nice boys and girls. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Hmmm. Perhaps the owner of this blog is simply creating a stir for readership? (I know I won't be back.)
I can trust Mr. Dembo.
Can I trust an edublogger who just wants more clicks?
:-P [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
original comments removed ...
once upon a time I enjoyed the commentary to be found here, but now? Your spurious and unsubstantiated comments do not deserve my regard
Will not be back. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
@anymouse -- None of us are right all of the time. None of us agree all of the time. I still find Stephen's information to be very helpful for me and although I disagree with him on his assessment of Steve D. and Sue W., I will not let it deter me from reading what Stephen has to say. Over time, he too has earned my trust.
It is important that we all read and learn from those who are different from us and a little disagreement is not a bad thing as long as we can disagree as professionals and correct ourselves if necessary.
A world where we were all clones would be a sad world indeed (not to mention a boring one.) [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Interesting conversation happening here. I agree in the call for disclosure here and appreciate Stephen's concern as a watchdog. On the other hand, I understand the arrow into the reputation of Steve Dembo and Sue Waters.
The way I see it is that Stephen is open to share his perspective as he sees fit. In this instance he questions the integrity of a pair a well known Ed-techies/bloggers, I don't know, apply whichever label fits. Accordingly, Steve and Sue have come to share their side of the story. Isn't this how these social tools are supposed to work? Why would people stop following anybody over this situation?
The thing is that we all have a responsibility to model web etiquette and practice the perception of our critical eye. Inherently certain individuals cause the hair on my back to stand up when I learn of the financial allegiances but that just changes the lens with which I read or consume their material. The fact is that everybody has an agenda to promote.
As fun as the banter may be, in the end mystudiyo* wins eyeballs, and people use words as daggers.
*Disclaimer - I used the company's name but am not receiving any cash or a laptop as of yet but will let you all know if I do. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
I was the last anymouse by the way. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
I was the last anymouse by the way. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
...what a storm in a teacup - If the Flexible Learning Framework give away an iPod are they promoting Apple... I don't think so. As educators we rely on OpenSource and free apps. How do these people get paid for the intellectual property, given that we don't pay for these powerful applications. Word of mouth and valued contributors help educators identify which tools may be useful to them.
We are all intimidated by the number of tools out there. I don't think that offering a prize in return for feedback is an unacceptable form of business. The problem boils down to the continual issue over the value of intellectual property and the current copyright systems. It also boils down to business models which actually support open source development.
I'm afraid I find this a little bit of an aerie problem ungrounded in the reality of the web world we work, teach and operate within. I respect all 3 people involved, and think that this non-issue should not be allowed to blow up into an outright war. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
BTW, I don't hold a grudge against you in any way. I've done the same thing myself on Teach42. *shrugs* Learning experiences abound. It happens. If the worst thing that happens to me this week is that you erroneously think I'm 'on the take', then I'll consider myself a lucky guy. [Comment] [Permalink] [Previous][Next]
Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
I still like ya, Stephen.
Stirring the pot is a good thing-- as my quote from Abbey suggests it keeps the scum from rising to the top -- even if it feels lumpy or slimy.
And you are the top pot stirrer around. [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
I look at it like this: if I were a company trying to get some word of mouth in a community that mostly does not sell ads on their blogs, how would I do it? I would almost definitely offer free things and giveaway prizes to the bloggers. They can disclose it all they want, and I'll disclose it, too -- all I really care is that the product is mentioned in some corner of their site and it gets a comment or two.
Or look at it like writers of articles about new car models. I've read before that these reviewers are often flown to tropical locations, put up in nice hotels, and given awesome swag while being shown the new cars. Is there an ethical problem? I mean, the writers were going to write about the car anyway, it's just that the car company noticed they were going to write about it and offered them a little trip so they could check the car out. And the idea of these trips isn't really hidden, there have been some articles about it.
I'm not saying a mother board or a $50 gift certificate is the same as a multi-thousand dollar trip. Honestly, who cares when it seems like everyone's intentions were in the right place and the stakes are so low. It's all interesting food for thought, though, especially if some company ever offers a bigger contest prize in the future... [Comment]
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Re: Quick Quiz: What New Web Tool Can You Use and Get an ASUS?
Kia Ora Stephen.
Your creed is (I assume it hasn't changed) always to visualize and aspire toward a system of society and learning where each person is able to rise to his or her fullest potential without social or financial encumbrance, where they may express themselves fully and without reservation through art, writing, athletics, invention, or even through their avocations or lifestyle - a system of society where knowledge and learning are public goods, freely created and shared, not hoarded or withheld in order to extract wealth or influence.
I have learned so much from Sue Waters online, as I am sure many have before me. It has also been clear to me since I first started on the recent online project, that Sue Waters is without question an excellent teacher, passing on learning and knowledge freely (and I mean that in the broad sense of the term as well as in the particular). I might also mention that I would not have met up with Sue online if it had not been for your OLDaily that posted a related article about a post by one of Sue Waters' online colleagues, only a day or so before that project began.
Given the extent of the controversy sparked by your brief post, and the subsequent copious clarification submitted in comments on it, can you please explain how exactly Sue Waters would not be following a set of principles that would match your creed (almost exactly) as I've summarised above?
Ka kite
from Middle-earth [Comment]
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