Thread by @tsmullaney

Everyone in my feed seems to agree with this article, here and on FB, so I should probably keep quiet. Instead, and at risk of a pile-on, here's a thread on why I disagree. 🧵

timeshighereducation.com/opinion/academ… via @timeshighered

1) it's definitely true that we profs are terrible videographers and editors when compared to professionals. But, for the most part, we are also terrible lecturers and lesson designers. Having room to grow is not a reason not to do something. It's a reason to try harder.

2) I’m not sure that the purpose of the lecture hall in the wake of the print revolution was dialogue between instructor and students. The roundtable and salon yes, but not the 200-person amphitheater. Over time, lectures became more about dialogue. There is no "golden age."

3) I for one see no problem with teaching "in the vernacular," so to speak. I want to meet my students where they are. Music, art, video, longform lecture... ALL of the above. If I am much better at some of these than others, so be it.

4) when I make an animated video explaining, let's say, the pathway through the Suez Canal, I can use that again in future lectures, just like a slide. The metaphor of "writing an entire book for one room" is completely misrepresenting things

5) if we cede this territory, esp. out of misguided principles of holding on to a golden age, the people who fill that vacuum will, in the long run, make our jobs as educators so much more difficult. Infotainment peddlers, alt-Right, ...

Not to mention a host of for-profit interests, whether Masterclass, Outlier, etc. If we don't take a seat at the table here, we'll be on the menu.

6) the issue of so-called "content creators." Making videos etc. does not instantly make one a Content Creator.

The reason is quite simple: if you really study the working philosophy of content creation you will find that they are committed to producing whatever content ends up having a market.

It is not uncommon for a content creator on YouTube to create 10 different types of videos and then, based on the performance of each, to change the focus of their entire channel in order to reproduce over and over the video that got them 100,000 views.

If a prof were to invest in creating videos on their subject matter – the ottoman empire, gender and sexuality, etc. – chances are good they are not going to up and change the entire focus of their channel to be about unboxing videos and camera reviews.

Making videos ≠ Content Creator.

7) it’s fun! New ways of thinking. New experts to learn from. New ways to collab with students and colleagues

But it is dangerous, and not for everyone. You can fail. You can burn precious daylight. You may not enjoy it. And the whole world wants us to stay in our lanes. But, in my view, it is worthwhile.

Unroll please @threadreaderapp