I inserted myself into a very interesting conversation today on Twitter, drawn like a moth to the flame by this remark from @budtheteacher:
"Smackdowns" as tool showcases strike me as silly and odd. Am I the only person who feels that way?
Our conversation proceeded in this fashion:
@budtheteacher Is it the name or the concept that you don't like?
@dmcordell Both. The frenzy for tool oneupsmanship is troublesome, as is the idea of the smacking. Mostly the smacking, though.
@budtheteacher Well, it's really more like smacking cards down on the table. Offers a quick intro to sites, generates interest in tech.
@dmcordell Tool frenzy. Is that a good thing?
@budtheteacher I think of it more as raising awareness or suggesting possibilities.
@dmcordell http://twitpic.com/sy03j
http://twitpic.com/sy33h - @budtheteacher Can't we redefine and repurpose words?
@dmcordell Of course. But I don't think the term is being repurposed. These things are generally competitive and they have winners.
@budtheteacher My experience is limited to the Joyce Valenza/Geek Squad SmackDowns. Everyone is a winner there, especially the audience.
And that's where the discussion ended, at least for now. From Bud's comments, I realized that we were talking about two different types of events. The only SmackDowns I've witnessed were chaired by Joyce Valenza, most recently at the AASL Rev Up Learning conference:
2.0 Learning Tools Smackdown
This interactive, energetic, sharing session will highlight the best new tools in a variety of categories. Members of a panel will share their top picks and invite audience members to contribute by coming to a central microphone. All ideas generated will be added to a session wiki and shared with the community.
Presenter(s):
Joyce Valenza, Librarian, Springfield Township HS Library, Rydal, PA
Robin Williams, Sun Microsystems
By and large, Teacher Librarians tend to emphasize gathering, sharing, and nurturing. Bud may have had a very different smack down experience, but when Joyce and the Geek Squad are facilitating, the only thing that gets "smacked" is ignorance.
Maybe we should rechristen these sessions Un-Smack downs!
"Someone here is losing..." by happyskrappy
