TIGblogs - Darren Draper

Rickrolling is an Internet fad o' fun that, while recently gaining in popularity, is probably on it's way out. According to the source of all eighth-grade knowledge:

Rickrolling is a prank and Internet meme involving the music video for the 1987 Rick Astley song "Never Gonna Give You Up". The meme is a classic bait and switch: a person provides a link they claim is relevant to the topic at hand, but the link actually takes the user to the Astley video.

On a related note, you may also Flickroll your "friends" by sending them here or see the Muppet's remake of the Rick Astley video below (certainly my personal favorite):

Now, here's the scenario:

"Hey Shareski, check out this link. This is a great article on why you shouldn't count the number of people following you on Twitter. From what I hear, that kind of behavior does nothing but kill kittens."

Shareski then clicks on the link(s) to enjoy Rick Astley in all of his 80's glory.

*Psych!*

Speaking of Twitter, the perfect Rickrolling environment... here's the scenario there:

"Good morning twits. A kid just threw up outside my classroom door. Yep, disgusting. Check it out here - http://tinyurl.com/2q9j9y"

*Twitter Psych!*

As educators, though, I can't help thinking that we're above all of this Rickrolling, prankster nonsense. Sure, it's all done in fun, but can't we be productive while we prank?

Enter Payrolling

Yep, you guessed it. I propose that as educators we prank our fellow teachers into viewing something useful during those times of jest. Here's the new scenario:

"Hey [enter teacher's name here], I found the perfect site for you and your [insert subject name here] class. This place has activities that will take the kids hours to complete. In fact, I think you'll probably be set until the end of the year. Can you believe they actually pay us to work here? Anyway, here's the link."

[Your teacher of choice] is then transported to the Pay Attention web site wherein they can learn a thing or three about what it takes to reach our students these days.

[Your teacher of choice] just got Payrolled!

*Psych with an ed-tech edge!*

"Sure," you're saying. "He's just marketing again. Why doesn't he juke teachers into visiting some other video?"

Good point, but I couldn't find any that would make the name work. It's all about branding here, folks. We need a name that will stick.

Shiftrolling reminds me of a diesel truck.
Visionrolling? Well, which one do we link to?
Marcorolling definitely has potential but I'm not sure he'd appreciate the gesture.

So Payrolling it is, at least in my book.

Fun. Free. And the better way to prank. Payroll your teacher of choice today!

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