HubPages as a Place of Learning
It has been gradually coming to my attention that HubPages is not necessarily just a place for writing, nor for merely larking about and having a laugh with one’s virtual mates. Of course, it is that too, but not exclusively. HubPages, almost without my knowledge or consent, has taken me back to school.
Think of this: I am a mother of three, and I stay at home with my youngest as I have stayed at home with my two older children. In my real life, the life I have that is tangible and doesn’t strain my eyes if I partake of it for too long without looking away, I see my family, a few mummy friends in the playground at the end of school time, and… oh, well, that’s it really. They are the only people I see. Oh, I am content with this life, blissfully happy with it in fact, and would never wish for it to be any other way. This hub was not created for me to have a good moan about how boring my life is, and how lonely it can be for a stay at home mum. Not at all. That is not how I feel. My life is far from boring, and I never feel lonely. Lots of people have said it, so I don’t know who to credit, but ‘only boring people get bored’. Mm-hmm. That’s not what I’m saying, it’s just what some people say. Just saying. It’s not me who said it. Ahem…
Anyway, I was going tell you that I have no place of work to go to, nowhere to practice my social skills, no-one with whom to practice them. Friends, of course, are beautiful and wonderful, and I would not be without them. But I cannot banter over the photocopier with them because we don’t tend to keep one in the playground (or do office workers now banter over the water cooler, coffee machine, latte maker, microfiche machine (do we still have those?) or whatever appliance or gadget has manifested itself from the pages of a science fiction novel? I suppose offices are run by intelligent iPads now, and the need for human beings has been eradicated – do photocopiers even exist any more? It’s a long time since I worked in an office, I’m sure things have changed dramatically.) In real life I cannot learn how to talk to people about something other than pee and poo, or about family dramas. We do discuss our career plans, our future planned jaunts into the world of Higher Education, but it often seems like pie in the sky for the time being.
Now HubPages has literally invaded my life in recent months. On HubPages I have met people from vastly different worlds of experience to my own. Well, how refreshing. I spent a little time, when I first I hubbed, dipping in and out of the Religion and Philosophy forums. I rarely commented, because if I did I was liable to get my head bitten off, or my words twisted, or my argument ripped to shreds, or just be made to feel very small and ignorant. But I still, from time to time, would be sucked into reading a particularly provocative thread. I would have whole evenings stolen as I endeavoured to work my way through the twisting and winding roads of banter, that often doubled back on themselves and forked off in several directions. I would type out a response when something had particularly angered me, but I would always delete it, with a wry little chuckle, knowing that the responses to my contribution would only anger me further.
Last week I deleted the Religion and Philosophy topic from my preferences, but I am wondering whether I might have made a mistake and should I perhaps add it back again. It might have made me hellish mad at times, but at least it forced me to think, to analyse, to work out my opinions, to think about them, to change my mind, to allow my mind to be changed, to be challenged, to stick to my guns when I’m sure I’m right, to back down gracefully when I know that I have been proved wrong. And no matter how vitriolic it gets in there (see, it’s even interesting that we talk about the forums as if they are actual places, with rooms that we can go into to sit down and debate over a coffee and a muffin) one can always say ‘lol, only joking :D’ and not go back to that particular thread. They serve a purpose, just as the Debating Club at my school served a purpose: I never dared to raise my hand and speak on a topic, but I learned so much from watching my friends make their points. I argued with them in my head, and in there I learned how to order my thoughts and articulate them (to myself.)
HubPages serves this purpose for me. Even out of the forums, and just in the comments capsules of the hubbers I follow, a little banter bounces back and forth, stories are made up and continued and allowed to fly. Okay, I’m still not so good at that; the best hubber I know for talking absolute twaddle and making it fabulously entertaining is Twilight Lawns. He challenges me to use my imagination, though he leaves me way behind. But I appreciate the practise. HubPages is full of fascinating people like this, and if I had never pitched up on these shores I would never have had my mind broadened and beaten, pushed and pulled in different directions, moulded and mangled, and nurtured ever so gently. I would never have met some of the most engaging people I've ever known; it doesn't bear thinking about.
Thanks fellow hubbers, for adding so much good stuff to my palette.
Comments
What a great hub. I love the way you express yourself here. I loved reading this very much.
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Thank you Bobbi. This was just a 'what shall I talk about today' kind of hub :) Thanks for reading, and commenting so kindly.
Linda.
I too am fascinated by HubPages and the people from around the world who write here.
- Author
That's the right word Will, it is a fascinating place. Thanks for the dropping by :)
Linda.
This is great. Hubpages is a great place to meet some great people. Sometimes I actually enjoy the friendly banter back and forth than the actually writing itself. But we are all human and we like interaction. I laugh out loud when I read some hubs, and others I feel deeply pained by what they wrote. It is a great place to not only explore and learn, but to learn a little more about yourself.
Great hub!
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Thanks for reading and commenting barbergirl. It is an important kind of interaction that we experience on HubPages I think - okay, face to face communication is probably better, but for those of us who can't have that so much, this little community is great. At least we're producing something, and as you say, we're also learning a little about ourselves - we're not just wasing our time reading and talking rubbish on the internet.
Thanks for confirming that I am not wasting my time. Like you I get on here and the next thing you know it is two hours later. Were did the time go. I think we should add an extra 4 hours to the day just so we can all hub a little more :)
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Apparently my mum has this portal that she can go into and gain an extra twelve hours each day. I found out about it when I asked her how she manages to produce so much creative stuff every week! She's keeping the portal secret though, which I think is a bit mean. I could do with some extra hours too.
I hope you realise, young Lady, that you have almost brought an elderly and (almost) respectable gentleman closer to his death bed than was planned when he got up this morning.
I was reading your hub, with enjoyment, as usual, when I read those two magic words ("Lawns" and "Twilight", but not necessarily in that order) and I almost inhaled half a cup of coffee. Coffee, in the more sedate South East, should be sipped, or even drunk, but never inhaled.
Thank you, Linda, you have leant a sparkle to my day.
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You're not an elderly gentleman Ian, you're 24 aren't you? Certainly the impression I get from reading your words that are always filled with vim and zeal!
Sorry for almost killing you, that was not my intention, of course :D
Glad to make your day a little sparklier.
Linda.
Hi Linda,
And I thought the next time we were going to be contacting each other was when you offered to come to Norbury-sur-Mer to relieve me of the ghastly set of the Narnia DVDs I bought, not realising that they were of the TV adaptions of the Chronicles and not the wonderful stuff that APPEARS to be on the cinema screens.
Hey ho!
Ian
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Urgh, no, I don't want them! Can't you give them away to a local school or college, for them to use in Media Studies lessons as examples of how not to write a screenplay?
Ghastly's right.
Lx.
Nice try. They are my worst purchase EVER.
In fact, not just my worst,; my worstest.
I am very new to the world of hubpages and hubbing. As a matter of fact, I am still not really all that clear about the differences between a hub and a blog, but I can tell you that I am a lot lazier with my blog than I have been hubbing.
I 2nd all you've said.
The one thing which I have found for the last almost sixty years, Linda is that as long as life is lived, learning will always be it's ultimate reward to the living.
We humans are simply amazing repositories of copious amounts of knowledge. If asked nicely, we will always be willing to share to all whether we realize it or not!
The ability to assimilate knowledge, utilize it through our life experiences then disseminate it to others becomes what is known as Wisdom.
You have already proven that true by you Hubs and Participation on HubPages! Thank you for once again sharing with us all! Regards Aka Professor M (Mike) ;D
sooo true. I learn more while reading hubs. Agree!
Hi Linda, i have witnessed your metamorphosis pretty much from day one, when you tiptoed into this massive forum. Your first hub suggested that you had an awful lot more to offer and time has proved that hunch right. We all learn things off one another consciously and subconsciously. Commenting is a great way to communicate, but it can be fraught with danger, unless ones thoughts are expressed clearly. I often sit up well past midnight when my thoughts can be quite hazy. Sometimes i have to discipline myself by waiting to the next day, if i read something particularly challenging. Yes Ian is a great asset to our club and we know he's fibbing about being an old dodderer. Only you could come up with this charming hub. cheers Keith.
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Lady. Well, a warm welcome to HubPages, and I hope you stay a long time and enjoy this 'little' community to its fullest! Yes, I know what you mean about that, because I too am lazier with my blog than my hubs. In fact, my blog has been rather neglected since I came here - I used to blog every other day, now it's lucky if it sees me once a week, poor blog.
Linda.
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Thank you Jeremey. Nice to hear from you again :)
Linda.
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Professor Mike (I don't think I can drop the 'Professor', it suits you so perfectly!), I agree with everything you said, and only wish that I could put my thoughts into words as eloquently as you always do.
You are truly wise, oh teacher! Thank you.
Linda.
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Thank you m4rkb3rt. Nice of you to drop by and leave a comment :)
Linda.
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Thank you Keith :) Yes, tiptoe I did, and I had no idea what I would find in here. I had no idea it would be a place that's filled with such rich treasures. It's been a very fast six months, and I have learned so much about myself and about other people - I tell you, my tolerance levels have soared! Everyone has a back story, that's what I've learned, a very important lesson. I am much less quick to judge on appearances now.
Linda.
Linda, Lady Wordsmith, a Professor by definition as found in YourDictionary.Com is: a person who professes something; esp., one who openly declares his sentiments, religious beliefs, etc.
a college or university teacher of the highest academic rank; full professor
assistant professor & associate professor
LOOSELY any college, university, or, occas., secondary-school teacher
? any person claiming or assumed to be especially skilled or experienced in some art, sport, etc.: a popular or humorous usage.
With so broad a range all who write are in essence professors of one sort or another! LOL! My love affair with knowledge led to my friends and associates bestowing that title on me hence the prefix Aka Or Also Known As before Professor.
It has been the years and experiences in this life, that have allowed me to live up to that moniker which I now use! Regards Aka Professor M (PS:You may call me Mike) ;D
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Mike (oh, it feels so disrespectful now!), when I worked in the university in my town the only people who were allowed to be called Professor were those who had earned a Professorship through undertaking a certain amount of research in their field, and attaining a certain amount of recognition for their published papers. I never imagined that there might be other definitions of that word. I'm happy to read your clarification, as it explains a lot of things - not the least of which, why all of the teachers at Hogwarts are titled Professor!
I would consider myself to be a Professor of Waffle and Nonsense :D
Linda.
Whatever you choose, Linda! There is no one to contradict you, nor no authority on HubPages to deny you the right to any Title you wish to add to your Lady Wordsmith moniker!
It is my belief that one's actions tell more about the person than the words used to describe them! LOL!
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You are quite right of course, and I share that belief. People are remembered for what they do, and names are often forgotten, passing into legend. Doesn't it often go something along the lines of: 'ohhhh, what was that bloke's name when I was a lad, you know, the one who sailed down the River Lune on the lid of a teachest, with only his socks for sails? You know the one, ohhhhh, I can't recall his name!'?
Linda Anne Rawlinson, (Professor of Waffle and Nonsense).
Correct me if I'm mistaken Professor Linda but doesn't one meaning of waffles mean to change ones opinion back and forth? And I believe Nonsense is without or absence of sense?
If that is the case Professor L, your specialty would be what? Political Science, perhaps! LOL! I just could not let that one get away, Linda! It was too much for my funny bone to resist! Regards Aka Professor M (Mike) ;D
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LOL! Very good, very good Professor! And you would be right, if indeed I was referring to that kind of waffle. However, I am actually a Professor of the breakfast waffle, the kind that can be toasted and eaten with syrup.
Linda.
So you have added the Culinary Art of Baking to your list of accomplishments, Linda! Good for you and you seem to be reaping the rewards of that baked food item! ;D
Those waffles must be quite the tasty treats if they are responsible for your prolific writing of Hubs Professor L. Because all of your hubs pass with flying colours! ;D
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Oh dear... well... actually I am a terrible baker. I can do a nice Yorkshire pudding, but my cakes are not great. No Professor M, I am a Professor of Going to the Shop and Buying a Packet of Waffles and Eating Them All Without Stopping - but they must contain some secret magical imagination boosting ingredients, as they are actually often my snack of choice during writing sessions.
Okay Linda! So then you're a connoisseur of the whole Waffle appreciation experience with a very well educated palate,possessed of a professorial degree in taste determination! Will that be a better, more succinctly accurate description of your qualifications? LOL!
Most respectfully yours, Professor L, from Aka Professor M (Mike)
PS:Now that is taking wordsmithing to the next level!
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Yes, that seems fine to me Professor. You are a wordsmith to the nth degree! I humbly submit to your superior powers of wordplay :)
Kindest regards,
Linda A. Rawlinson, DPhil, MSG, ARP, RSVP, ASAP
Now that Personalized Nomenclature is definitely most intriguing,lady wordsmith. Linda, I always love those acronyms which follow peoples names so let me see if I can correctly guess your distinguished suffixes above!
DPhil > Doctor of Philosophy, MSG > Mono Sodium Glutamate,
ARP > Address Resolution Protocol, RSVP > répondez s'il vous plaît(French) Loosely defined translation "Please Reply to this Request with all haste!" & ASAP > As Soon As Possible!
How was That? Thanks for the challenge Professor L! ;D
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Almost all right Prof, except that ARP, in this case, stands for Air Raid Precautions.
Linda A. Rawlinson (Miss).
See perfection is truly God's alone, Linda! Good one LOL!
All the best Mike Aka Professor M! ;D
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Lovely chatting with you Professor :) Do call again :D I'll put the kettle on next time - do you like scones with clotted cream and jam?
Linda.
Likewise Lady Wordsmith! However the Atlantic Ocean does seem to be in the way of my dropping in for the tea and scones!
(I like mine black, or green, well brewed and unspoiled by the additions of Sugar or Dairy of any kind!)
As to the scones themselves, Linda, there I will accept the offered clotted cream and a wee bit of strawberry jam! Thank You Very Much!
Thanks for the invite though, Professor L!
Regards Aka Professor M ;D
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Lovely Professor, I'll get the jam pans out.
Lx.
great Hub! HubPages is very useful to all, also if we need different things. This is a great community!
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It is useful, and we all seem to need it for different reasons, and get different things from it. Vive l'hubpages!
Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read my hub fucsia.
Linda.
Lady Wordsmith- you have hit the nail on the head. There are so many good writers writing so many informative hubs- it is a great place of learning. I joined just Novemebr last year and despite a busy work schedule I can't keep away. More importantly it has inspired me to learn more, write more and read more than ever before. As you rightly say, Viva La Hubpages! voted up!
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Me neither Docmo, I find it difficult to keep away from my hub for more than a few hours. HubPages has helped me to find my voice, the voice that I would like to write with more often. And because of the nature of HubPages, being multinational as it were, it's allowed me to see out into the world, which is always a good thing.
I can't imagine not being here in a few months time - I wonder if there will come a time when I don't feel the need to write here any more; I hope not.
Linda.
Awesome hub that has taught me a lot in a short space of time:-D
1. That I too turn my back on those religious and philosophy hubs when I feel I am being dismissed or riled or patronised. But I agree, they are what push us to write, to debate, to think for ourselves. So I will still continue to dip in and out of them.
2. That my portal is secret and will remain so. But here's a clue - it does involve mind maps.
3. That hub pages is the place to be. I'm now well and truly hooked and have written so much lately that i've not had time to slip into my portal - shame on hub pages!!
4. That there are many talented people on hubpages to learn from
5. That writing is still as exciting as it's ever been.
6. That your writing and your voice are developing beautifully.
thanks for enlightening this old lady.
Denise
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You're not old, you're 7!
So, mind maps are the key? Do the mind maps have an X to mark the spot? Hmm. I feel that the portal is within my sights, but I'm missing something vital. I'll get there.
Once I've written a new hub I feel happy to stay away for a few days - but it can only be a few days, and after so long I really have to write a new one and come back (when I say stay away, I don't actually stay away, because I check in every day to see if there are any comments, and to read other people's hubs!)
Thank you Mummy dearest. Fancy me finding my voice, I never thought I would you know.
Linda.
I always knew you had a voice and watching it grow has been a pleasure. I'm sure there are many more pleasers to come for you. You will be a high flyer with your writing - of that I have no doubts.
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Well, time will tell - time will tell whether I can pull my finger out and stop spending so much time on HubPages! Terry said he was going to look into hubs - he would write super ones, I'm sure. He would like to write them about his art.
Lx.
He should do. He would write as creatively as he draws and paints.
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I told him he would be able to write well, but he thinks he will find it boring - if he gives writing a go though, I think he will soon discover the wonder of painting with words :)
Terry is my brother, dear hubbers :)
Linda.
painting with words. Do you remember he once painted a poem of mine.
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I do remember that he did, but I can't remember which one or what the painting looked like. Have you still got it?
Terry has still got it.
Yes, I too believe it is a great place for people who want to aware themselves for different upcoming and outgoing things of the world.
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It really is sagbee. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment :)
Linda.
Oh, this resonated with me! I am also an SAHM - my kids are teens now, but I remember being on the playground for hours every day :)
And now I have the time to pursue a writing career (which I thought I'd be able to do with 2 little kids in tow but I couldn't! I admire you so much for doing both) which I love. And I look forward to reading more of your writing here, too.
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Thank you Lidian. I don't feel like I've got much choice about writing even with the kids around, you know? If I don't write I get cranky, as I'm sure everyone on here can understand! I don't get as much done as I'd like, as I'm very often just ready to collapse on the sofa once the boys are in bed - sahms know all about this, and I'm sure working mums are even more tired. But at least I'm doing something, which is always better than nothing :)
Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. I look forward to reading more of your work too :)
Linda.
...well this is an essential hub subject from an essential hubber and writer and thinker - yes you are right about 'hubland' as being a place of learning and enlightenment and exchange of cultural and social information - and you have rightfully earned your title as Lady Wordsmith - because your words are your friends and they've become our friends too!
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Ah, thank you epi :)
Sadly, I have temporarily lost my words again. They've been eaten up by Harry Potter, as always happens when I indulge my inner witch! I can never write when I'm reading these books, as all I want to do is read, read, read. No bad thing really. I'll find my words waiting for me at the end of book seven soon enough :)
As always epi, you have made me blush with pride and humility at the same time :)
Linda.
Wow, I want to learn a new thing. Great.
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Well you've come to the right place - HubPages is a fab place to learn new things :)
Welcome!
Linda.
Lady Wordsmith:
Excellent read which I also couldn't help to thumb up! Hubpages is certainly an ongoing learning experience for all of us, is it not? Kind of reminds me of that old Back To School Movie Scenario, starring yours truly-Rodney Dangerfield. Not that I think Hubpages is as dramatic, ore even comedic as that movie was, but it certainly has its moments especially within the varied forum topics as you mentioned, can at times get really heated up. But I like to think of it like you-as an ongoing learning experience, where we meet new friends, constantly learn new things and do much much more, than just pen the written word. Jl
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It was a place of learning, but I haven't used HubPages for months now. I'm looking forward to seeing what it is like now - I know there is a bit of bad feeling about, since the Idle hub category was introduced. Is it still a nice place to write? I'm going to find out.
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