Reader/Referer Experiment

April 20th, 2007

A couple of weeks ago, I posted about Jeff Archer, who’s doing an article about this blog for Education Week. One of the things that Jeff and I talked about was the number of “referers” to the blog each day. This is the way stats are shown on edublogs.

Jeff’s colleague, Jeanne, contacted James Farmer at edublogs.org and asked about the referers statistics. Apparently, most blogs follow page views rather than hits or referers. James Farmer responded as follows,

“I think it’s fair to say that hits, in the manner of her site (given theme choice), would correlate roughly to be divisible by 2-3 to page views”

I suppose this means that on April 15, when I had 3019 referers, I can estimate that there were 1000-2000 page views. I also wonder if this means that there were 1000-2000 readers?

More important, it makes me wonder who the readers of G-Town are. I know who some readers are through their comments or through the address listed as the referring URL. But I wonder who’s reading, from where.

So I thought we’d try a little experiment. If you’ve stuck with my post this far, please post a comment to this blog. Right here, right now. Even if you’ve never commented before, it’s really very easy. If you are reading this, post a comment that just tells your name or initials, where you’re reading from, and if possible, what you do. That’s all. For example, I would post a comment that says “ksm from Gowanda, high school principal and parent”. Nothing more is needed, but will tell an interesting picture of who our G-Town readers really are. Audience is important for any writer and I’d love a better view of who you are–your comments will be more valuable than any other stats.

Thank you for participating!

Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)

  1.   Lisa says:

    Lisa from Minnesota, HR Manager and parent.

  2.   Mike says:

    MAF from Randolph, CIO

    Keep up the good work Kim!!! :)

  3.   dave says:

    djm; Vancouver B.C. Canada
    high school principal
    Parent of two university students

  4.   Steve Poling says:

    Always reading from AZ….Steve, principal, daddy, husband :)

  5.   James says:

    James, from, um, Edublogs :)

    You’ll find that a lot of referrers will be people coming to other pages of your blog, in fact 90% of readers will never see the front page (just come in to a particular page and then leave again).

    Also, noone ever comments when you ask them to ;)

    And you have to take into account bots and stuff as well.

    I could go on ;)

    Anyway, you should, so keep up the great work!

  6.   Matt Hillmann says:

    Fellow principal from Minnesota. BIG fan of this blog! It is part of my daily reading…thanks for leading us!

  7.   Tim McKeever says:

    TMcK Gowanda BOE.

  8.   Denise says:

    Denise from NJ, Proud and exhausted 1st year principal. Your blogs have been the reason for many much needed “exhales” this year. Thanks!

  9.   Exhausted Intern says:

    EI, admin intern from Washington State.

  10.   Sue King says:

    MS Principal in central PA, parent of near college grads (2), regular reader!

  11.   Frank Fonti says:

    Frank SE Teacher Gowanda

  12.   Jay says:

    Jay, Online teacher and parent, lansing , Mi

  13.   David O'Rourke says:

    Hi Kim.

    David O’Rourke — your neighbor at Silver Creek CSD. Parent of three girls, and Director of Instruction and Technology.

  14.   Linda Fonti says:

    LMF, Gowanda BOE, Registered Nurse, Parent

  15.   Jonathan says:

    j, a math teacher, math-policy-involved person, and active union leader (in my building) in a high school in nyc

  16.   Jen M. says:

    Jen- School Counselor, Gowanda.

  17.   Gerald says:

    Gerald, Science Teacher, Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School, Croton on Hudson NY

  18.   Lisa says:

    Lisa from Oklahom, high school assistant principal and mom of three

  19.   Lori says:

    Lori, Superintendent in Western NY, parent of three Gowanda Central students, Gowanda Central Alum

  20.   Jeremiah says:

    assistant principal from portland, or
    brand new father
    relatively new blogger: edhocracy
    found you via chris lehman
    read you everyday
    thanks

  21.   Gowanda alum says:

    SS, Gowanda alum currently living on left coast and wondering how far GHS has come.

  22.   Geist says:

    AG from Buffalo, GHS Teacher

  23.   Matt says:

    Matt from Missoula, MT. English teacher in an alternative program. Love seeing a principal blogging about what matters to her in education (with a little real life thrown in).

  24.   Leah says:

    LS from Bedford, Virginia–Teacher

  25.   ake says:

    ake, New Jersey, Assistant Superintendent and parent

  26.   proppspropaganda says:

    CFP Gowanda High School English teacher. Mom of 2.

  27.   Cindy Crandall says:

    Cindy - former colleague and regular reader of your great blog!

  28.   Carolyn Foote says:

    Hi from Texas!

    I’m a high school librarian!

    Great to see all the blogging principals here!

    By the way, Kimberley, hope you don’t mind me adding a link here, but I’m trying to gather some information from principals who use web 2.0 tools for a presentation I’m doing, in case you’d like to share some information with me about tools you find helpful.

    http://futura.edublogs.org/2007/04/20/how-web-20-tools-help-administrators/

    I really enjoy your blog!

    And actually this was helpful since I was wondering what the statistics meant myself!

  29.   bsnaxton says:

    Brian Saxton, Assistant Principal Aptos, CA Aptos Junior High.
    Read your blog consistently, great stuff

  30.   Scott McLeod says:

    Director, CASTLE, & Assistant Professor, Educational Policy and Administration, U. Minnesota

  31.   Lee Mormur says:

    DSM from Pittsburgh, PA proud mom of Kimberly

  32.   Jess Shaw says:

    Jess, from Gowanda- a teacher and an alumni

  33.   Lynn S. says:

    Kim, I check your blog daily, from school and from home, here in Gowanda. I am a monitor and a mother of three.

  34.   Andrea J. Cooke says:

    First time on this site, Very interested in having my own blog space. Seneca Language Teacher. Would like to share and learn from others!

  35.   Courtney says:

    Courtney, Student at GHS. :-)

  36.   Bill C says:

    MS Principal from Randolph, NY

  37.   Luke says:

    lasr from Toronto, research assistant at Canadian Education Association

  38.   JLM says:

    Elementary Principal, Randolph NY. I’ve been a reader for quite some time but haven’t left a comment. You are doing a nice job with this site. Keep up the good work. :)

  39.   Vinnie Vrotny says:

    Director of Academic Technology, Winnetka, IL

  40.   Crystal F. says:

    CLF Math Teacher at Gowanda, mother of 2 beautiful boys.

    And can I say WOW! Your readership is from sea to shining sea. That in itself is amazing.

  41.   tgray says:

    Very cool survey!!

    Theresa - staff developer, teacher, learner from Hamburg, NY!! (But newly back from Aruba!!)

  42.   Maggie says:

    MK from Gowanda :) - GHS Teacher, just got my computer back!

  43.   Brian H says:

    BGH from Forestville
    GHS teacher

  44.   Ziggy Mormur says:

    Kim’s long lost (not really) brother, Science Applications International, McLean VA.

  45.   Cindy says:

    Cindy,Secretary in District Office at Gowanda Central. Parent of two college grads and one high school student lucky enough to have Kim as her principal.

  46.   JODY says:

    Jody, other secretary in the district office, mother of four, two of whom are teachers (one in GHS and one who wants to transfer here because of all the good stuff she hears. My family has been in the GCS school system since the early 1800’s and never have we seen such fabulous improvements in moral, learning, and overall well being. I am proud to be a part of it.

  47.   SGR says:

    Here goes. I also work at G-Town. It’s my kind of place…great co-workers, great students and a great boss! It’s an atmosphere of support, respect, understanding, and of course, humor! What else could you ask for in today’s working and learning environment?! Thanks Mrs. Moritz!

  48.   Jeanette says:

    Jeanette, Principal of a postsecondary Technical Center/Technical High School combination, Naples, FL

  49.   Doug says:

    Doug, parent of two GCSD kids, one currently under Kim’s supervision and the other soon to be. I found the blog on the school website, and am very happy I have. I don’t know how Kim has the time to keep up with the blog with all her normal responsibilities, as well as the many innovations she is bringing to the school. Keep up the good work.

  50.   Sherrie Evans says:

    Instructional Support - Technology - District, NC
    I really enjoy your blog. As Instructional Support for Technology I have recommended your blog to all of our principals and I let teachers view your blog as an example of a great blog in my workshops.

  51.   Neil Rochelle says:

    Wow! You’re attracting quite the audience. I couldn’t be happier. Been having some challenges so haven’t read everyday but I still check up on you!
    Neil, Superintendent, Elma NY

  52.   curritucktech says:

    I’ve enjoyed the honesty you’ve shared in your blog. I’m a former high school principal and current Technology Director with Currituck County Schools in NC.

  53.   Shannon says:

    SS-GMS teacher, mom of 2 boys

  54.   Renay says:

    renay howard former student

  55.   Scott Schwister says:

    Scott Schwister, Hamline University Graduate School of Education, Saint Paul MN

  56.   Nate says:

    Univ instructor from Rocky Mountain West. You GO, Kim! : )

  57.   BAM says:

    Bryna Moritz G-Town ALUMNI college student and LUCKY Daughter of Kim (who thinks I never read her blog)
    HA HA ….. what do you think now?

  58.   Willaim C. says:

    I think this is a great opportunity for all memebrs of your learning community to take part in. It enables everyone to see an administrator as more than just a principal.

    I think this is something that some of the administrators in some of Erie County’s larger schools as well as the Buffalo schools should start in thier own buildings. All too often administrators do not have opportunities to “hear” from inidividuals in or outside of their own communities.

    Instructor Genesee Community College

  59.   Derek Moritz says:

    I started reading the blog as it was the only form of communication I had with my loved ones when they were away in Europe. The phone card I purchased was useless. I find it interesting that many of Kim’s readers take the time out of what I’m sure is a busy day to post a comment. I have the advantage of hearing Kimberly’s ideas first hand because I’m her husband. I know she cares deeply for the childrens’ future and will do anything possible to enhance their experience at G.C.S.

  60.   Barb Dempsey says:

    Keep writing.

  61.   Ruth Ceglia says:

    I’m a retired elementary school principal working with school administrators. I really connect with your blog and have had very similar experiences. Your comments on working with people are right on target, the ability to communicate with others and understand what is being said, and even more, what is not being said is the key to solving problems.

    This is my first post on any blog.

  62.   Brenda Chase says:

    I’m here as a tech coordinator. I am searching for administrator blogs to recommend to our school administrators! Thanks for your blog and your transparency!

  63.   Paul says:

    GCS Alum (Class of 1974), Associate Dean of Libraries at Univ. of Washington in Seattle, father of 2 HS age daughters.

    Nice work!

  64.   rlc says:

    middle school teacher - central Ohio

  65.   Peter Rock says:

    Peter from Africa. Teacher and parent.

  66.   Louise Standridge says:

    I’m Louise, an elementary principal in Arkansas. This is my very first experience with a blog. I read about education blogs on the daily ASCD Smart Brief email. That took me to an Education Week article on blogs in which you were featured. I might even give this a try by setting my own blog.

  67.   PFH says:

    Supt from Wyoming. Yes…we have technology way out here! I’ve given some of our HS personnel the link to your blog.

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