Folks:
While reading through a lot of threads here, I notice the preponderance of people opening their posts with, "I'm not an instructor, but ..." Or they'll close with "Not an instructor, just my $0.02" -- or something along those two lines.
And to be honest, I, for one, am sick of seeing it. I know that Fran Crimi posted a thread a while back asking for people to do this, "so that his/her non-instructor status can be readily identified" (or something along those lines -- Fran is certainly free to clarify/correct here), but I think we have this all BACK-ASSWARDS.
Instructors -- especially those with a formal certification -- should identify that in his/her signature, or "motto line" underneath his/her avatar. It's roughly analogous to email signatures -- if you have a certification, add it to your email signature. Those of us who work in the corporate world are all familiar with this practice.
But instead, I see all the good-intentioned folks who contribute to this forum wearing the "I'm not an instructor" placard around his/her neck, just for the privilege of playing in this sandbox.
We have this backwards, folks. Those who carry formal titles and certifications, should identify as such in their signature, as well as in their avatar comment line. (That latter one is important, because many of us turn signatures and avatars off to optimize our browsing experience here -- but the avatar comment line is *always* still visible.)
Don't force the peasants to wear an "I'm a peasant" sign around his/her neck for every one of his/her posts in these parts. (Yes, I know that comparison was a little pointed, but it's pointed for a reason.)
It goes without saying, if a reader wants to identify the credentials of the person making the post, the credentials themselves are readily displayed, and the lack of display of them, as well. The reader is completely free to notice these on his/her own. No prophylactic "I'm not an instructor" declarations should be needed.
And for those on the flip side of the coin, your posting history *is* your ticket (or not!) to post here. If you've been always the helpful type, civilly engaging topics and providing thought-provoking material, well, by golly, that's your ticket. Experience and history speak for themselves.
I know this post/thread is probably going to chap the *sses of some, but meh! <...Sean flicks his fingers outwards from under his chin...>, that pink elephant was in the corner, and I'm calling it out.
-Sean
While reading through a lot of threads here, I notice the preponderance of people opening their posts with, "I'm not an instructor, but ..." Or they'll close with "Not an instructor, just my $0.02" -- or something along those two lines.
And to be honest, I, for one, am sick of seeing it. I know that Fran Crimi posted a thread a while back asking for people to do this, "so that his/her non-instructor status can be readily identified" (or something along those lines -- Fran is certainly free to clarify/correct here), but I think we have this all BACK-ASSWARDS.
Instructors -- especially those with a formal certification -- should identify that in his/her signature, or "motto line" underneath his/her avatar. It's roughly analogous to email signatures -- if you have a certification, add it to your email signature. Those of us who work in the corporate world are all familiar with this practice.
But instead, I see all the good-intentioned folks who contribute to this forum wearing the "I'm not an instructor" placard around his/her neck, just for the privilege of playing in this sandbox.
We have this backwards, folks. Those who carry formal titles and certifications, should identify as such in their signature, as well as in their avatar comment line. (That latter one is important, because many of us turn signatures and avatars off to optimize our browsing experience here -- but the avatar comment line is *always* still visible.)
Don't force the peasants to wear an "I'm a peasant" sign around his/her neck for every one of his/her posts in these parts. (Yes, I know that comparison was a little pointed, but it's pointed for a reason.)
It goes without saying, if a reader wants to identify the credentials of the person making the post, the credentials themselves are readily displayed, and the lack of display of them, as well. The reader is completely free to notice these on his/her own. No prophylactic "I'm not an instructor" declarations should be needed.
And for those on the flip side of the coin, your posting history *is* your ticket (or not!) to post here. If you've been always the helpful type, civilly engaging topics and providing thought-provoking material, well, by golly, that's your ticket. Experience and history speak for themselves.
I know this post/thread is probably going to chap the *sses of some, but meh! <...Sean flicks his fingers outwards from under his chin...>, that pink elephant was in the corner, and I'm calling it out.
-Sean
