I understand why some of my peers add the statement to their Twitter accounts, “views expressed are my own.”

If your Twitter acct states: “views expressed are my own” I want to challenge you in a friendly edu-sort of way. #edchat

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Do mean that you do not stand by your views if they conflict with your employer?

  • Is it that you do not want to conflict with your employer, or do not want to publicly conflict with your employer?
  • You obviously have respect for the authority of your employer. Do they hold the same respect for you?
  • Could your Twitter account be used against you?

Do you think your followers think you and your employer always share the same goals?

  • Is it okay for you to have different goals than your employer?
  • How would your employer react to your differing goals?
  • What level of healthy disagreement is going on in the face-to-face realm at work?

Do you mean that you do not stand by your views if they offend your followers?

  • Is that statement a way to keep potentially antagonistic exchanges away? A way to keep it light?
  • Do you send Direct Messages which are more direct that what you tweet?
  • Do you follow back those who challenge you on Twitter or stick to those who agree with you?

I am as careful not to be inflammatory, mix in politics or other topics unnecessarily divisive; but my Twitter account is squarely at the intersection between my various employers and my professional identity. If you would rather follow my former/current employers that is cool, but if you follow me you will get the whole package: professionalism crossed with real questions and faux pas mixed with edu-truths.

What is prompting your statement?

Do you really think other educators do not agree with your views or just your employer?

Why will/will not you continue to use that statement?