Can I join the conversation?
Yes, if you are interested in issues of higher education in and across contexts.
What are some of the ways to join EdConteXts?
> Share your experience, ideas, or perspectives about education in or across context by submitting a blog post.
> Join us on Twitter (follow @edcontexts and #edcontexts; use the handle and hashtag to share anything relevant to this community).
> Like/join us on Facebook (post on the wall, like and comment on posts).
> Read more about education in and across contexts on ScoopIt. Suggest links here.
> For any questions or suggestions for facilitators, please use this form.
You can get to all of the above from the top or right pane of this site.
How do I submit my blog post?
Please see this other page for details, but in short, you should submit your draft by email, including a quick bio and optional image of yourself and/or your educational context.
What issues and types of writing do you include in this blog?
Any issues about higher education in and across contexts, especially about contexts beyond the global centers/mainstream, are welcome.
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You can describe the situation of teaching/learning in your context (including challenges, opportunities, etc), share how you tackle a challenge or approach a prospect, discuss an issue debate, write about educational technology (established or emerging), or introduce your own research or scholarship (whether practical or theoretical). You can simply share anything about your teaching experience, reflection, activity, ideas, anecdotes, etc, that will inform/ inspire readers locally and globally about education in your context. We especially appreciate ideas shared by educators–teachers, academic staff/administrators, policy-makers, students–from the global peripheries, in the interest of diversifying the voices. We hope to amplify their voices, contributing to the global discussions around education by complementing mainstream discourses with more non-mainstream perspectives.
Got voice? We will help you amplify it!
How long should my post be?
They should be within the range of 200 to 1200 words, unless your topic justifies a lengthier post.
Who will read what I write? What’s the benefit of my contribution?
Educators who join this network will benefit from your ideas and experiences. Your ideas will also help enrich the global conversation about the increasingly important subject of cross-border higher education. We will moderate comments for preventing spam and promoting professionalism.
How can I help promote the blog/conversation?
Your participation is extremely valuable. Here are some of things you can do:
. >> Subscribe to this blog for listening to other educators (see end of right column)
. >> Comment on any blog post (comments will appear after approval)
. >> Share what you read/like on Facebook, Twitter, etc (see “share this” button)
. >> “Like” what you read (so the writer will be encouraged)
Should I follow any “style” when writing for this blog?
Because our audience is diverse in context, knowledge, and language backgrounds, you may find some of the following tips useful when you write for this blog:
- It’s not necessary to have “great” or fully “thought through” ideas, and your writing doesn’t need to be “standardized.”
- Write about local issues, use local references, and use local words and scripts if you like, briefly explaining local references for non-local readers.
- Use a short, telling title that both informs the reader what your post is about and draws their attention.
- Start with or include your main idea early, or at least give a sense of direction to the reader.
- Skip, postpone, or condense background details if the main idea can be understood when you do so; readers on the web tend to lack time and attention.
- Write in an informal tone if you like; keep the language simple; use techniques to keep the readers engaged (example, anecdote, interesting fact, thought-provoking idea, fast pace, etc).
- Generally use short paragraphs, saving long paragraphs for complex ideas that need elaboration.
- Minimize jargon, long sentences, and abstract language.
- Hyperlink online sources, while also providing readers a sense of context or key message of the source when possible. Please minimize but do cite offline sources, providing more at the end of the post.
- Use subheadings for longer entries. Please use bullet points and other visual elements (bold, italics, underline) for drawing attention to important details.
- Caption images when possible, linking them to their sources and/or crediting them within the captions.
How can I ask a question with the facilitators of the network?
Please use this contact form to send any question or feedback to us.
Notes:
1 We use the word “educators” to refer to teachers, scholars, researchers, staff or administrators working in academic institutions or related organizations, or members of the general public who are interested in issues about education (especially about education in and across “contexts”).
2. We use “contexts” to describe countries, cultures, academic systems, and material conditions that are distinct.
