External Blog #3

On http://blog.web20classroom.org/2012/06/power-of-lurker.html -- posted as Emily619:

"This is a valuable message for those who are a bit nervous or unsure about blogs, social media, etc.  I believe that many who are unfamiliar with these sites may become more open to engaging if they just started by listening in.  I appreciate your comment -- 

"Many say to me they find value in lurking and searching. But the true value was when they took that next step and signed up and added their voice to the conversation. I didn't have to push. They discovered that on their own."

Certainly, we hope that those who are introduced to these new technologies will not just want to be lurkers, that at some point they will want to engage in discussions and add their perspective to the many voices.  This is, after all, what makes internet technology such a powerful tool: the ability to speak and be heard, and to listen and learn in a multicultural and diverse community that stretches around the globe.  Who couldn't help but be swept up in something as exciting as that?!"