Happy to...

When I approached educator and blogger, David Warlick, (2 cents worth blog I posted in my previous blog) to answer a few questions; he sent me a message with the subject: "Happy to..."
Despite preparing for speaking arrangements in multiple states, he took the time to jot down his responses to my questions. This is what he wrote:

1. Why did you get into blogging?
Initially, it was about publishing, as a consultant. But I quickly
learned that blogging has more to do with conversation than it does
with publishing. Today, I blog so that I can learn. Many of my blog
posts are questions, and my readers, the smarter part of my greater
brain, suggest answers. I learn from that.


2. What is it about 2.0 that attracted you to blog about it?
As I said before, blogging is about conversation. In fact most Web
2.0 applications are about conversation in some since. I have long
believed that teaching and learning in the 21st century are about a
new kind of conversation between the teacher and the students, between
learners, between the classroom and the home, between the school and
the community, between curriculum and the world it magnifies.

Conversational and participatory information tools help to facilitate
these new conversation.


3. Why is it important to keep your blog updated?
Without readers, my blog does not help me learn. Without new content,
I'll lose my readers....


4. What do you do to drive viewers to your blog?
I simply try to remain relevant to my readers. I don't do anything
other than that.


5. Do you blog for the financial gain or for the passion?
Mostly passion. I do not advertise on my blog, though I do post
Google Ads on another web tool I've built. It's paying for my son's
college. That said, I do get invitations to speak from people who
have read my blog, and that bring financial gain. Most of my revenue
comes from speaking engagements.


6. Could you briefly explain The Landmark Project?
The Landmark Project is the name of my company -- when I need the name
of a company. I became a consultant in 1995, when the Internet was
still very much a wilderness for teachers. I wanted The Landmark
Project to provide landmarks on the new infoscape that teachers could
use to find value there.


7. Are there any causes or not for profit organizations you are
involved with?
Main cause is modernizing classrooms. I do donate to iEarn.

My other causes:
I believe all people should be equal, gas prices should be $4 a
gallon, an extensive national rail system should return, we should be
exploring the universe and feeding all people, Barack Obama will
become mythical, fast food should disappear, and chocolate should grow
on trees.




8. What are the top three blogs that you follow?
Lifehacker
Stephen's Web
The Next Web


9. Leaving high school and starting college, what was your dream?

I always wanted to be Johnny Quest's father ;-)

I always wanted to become a scientist. I didn't think I was smart
enough. Now I know I am/was. But I know now that it is all exciting,
science, history, math, and everything else. It's a truly wondrous
world we live in.



10. Are you happy? Do you believe you can achieve happiness through
your work?

Hmmm! What brings me happiness now is what I seem to accomplish in my
work. Teachers tell me that I have changed the way that they think
about their job. What also makes me happy is my wife, who is also my
business manager, and my children, who are mostly out of the house now.

I've been an educator for 33 years. I'm approaching the end of that
career. What will be making me happy 10 years from now will be
entirely different. I'll be tinkering with digital photography, or
composing music, or playing in a rock band, or maintaining a large
garden, or any combination of those.

I was encouraged by his willingness and openness to entertaining my questions. I am also again reminded by how great it is to meet new people, to learn new things, and see things in a new light. Again, I'd like to thank Mr. Warlick for his participation and for sharing his knowledge with me.