I got my first comment today! I know that it was a course requirement, but I'm still excited because it means that someone has read my blog. The picture above is part of an analogy. The closed gate is isolation. When we are out in the world working, educating ourselves, traveling from one point to another, then back, attending to whatever we have set ourselves up to-- we are all in our own zones, masters of our own spheres of influence. In my blog, this little reflection of my place on the planet, I am here, but physically, without commentary, I am at this place, my physical address, and the gate is closed. I chose a winter scene because it screams isolation; perhaps that was overdoing it.
Without interaction, blogging is nothing more than transcribing for the voices in your head. Interaction creates a sense of community. Nobody wants to be invisible, regardless of what they say. Since I really don't know anyone well in the class, and they don't know me, I think it is helpful that we can express ourselves, hopefully erasing any preconceptions any of us may have. I feel very awkward at times, almost that geeky awkwardness you feel as a middle schooler, being probably the oldest student in class. Believe me, all of the extra years I have have not matured me, at least according to my oldest daughter.
When we comment thoughtfully on other people's blogs, the authors know that somebody out there in the universe is reading and thinking about what you have written.
Maybe you have just vented about having a bad day...now isn't that nice to know that somebody out there cares.
When you start making intelligent or interesting comments on someones blog, people may be attracted to your blog, thinking, wow, that person has a lot to say, I'm going to follow her.
Truth is, Everyone wants to be associated with the cool kids!
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| I have soo many more followers than you |
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| But I'm friends with everyone, I'm more popular |
Or, just people that you find interesting, or those who share your way of thinking.
And when we all connect, we can learn more about others and ourselves.
And now a word or two about the blogs I chose to follow
The seven blogs I chose to follow are: Stephanie Fortner, Natasha Long's 23,000 steps to learn the 23 steps, Tonya Van Winkle, Alexa Aguilar, Whitney Butts, Regarding Horses, and the Crazy Cat Lady. Other than our class blogs, I chose not to follow any edulogs.
I chose Regarding Horses because it was written by a person who has a lot going on in her life and cannot devote the time she would like to with her horse, kind of like me. Most equestrian websites were all hoity toity about their eventing or showing activities and I had nothing in common with the authors who were mostly childless and did not work.
I chose The Crazy Cat Lady because I wouldn't be surprised if that vocation is in my distant future. When I looked at KittyKye's site I felt a connection with her. She wasn't your typical crazy cat lady going on incessantly about furbabies or talking about her cats like they were her best friends. She is a mom with demands that likes cats. Me too.
Classmates that I chose to follow had completed several posts. Since they appeared o be in as deep as me, I followed them.
Most of the comments I made on these websites were intended to be supportive and uplifting. That's what I do. For example, I reassured Jackie, the writer of Regarding Horses that it is not a crime to have a horse and not ride it. To understand that comment you will need to know that the professionally horsey set finds that unacceptable-- horses have to have a job, go to work, and interact with their people regularly in their opinion. My comment to The Crazy Cat Lady was one of curiosity about her son's foam blocks that her cat liked to play in...would the cat chew on them?
I intended for my comments to my classmates to be uplifting. For Stephanie, I wanted let her know that I was impressed with her pursuit of her second Master's Degree. She expressed some frustration with the intensity in which she studied, and I wanted to convey that we all feel that sometimes, and it has obviously not prohibited her.
For Natasha's blog I wanted to reflect my opinion that learning is a constantly evolving process. We really don't start in kindergarten and we never finish until we draw our last breath.
On Tonya's blog I wanted to share my perspective of technology. I understand how things can be frustrating when we don't use them regularly. I, for one, get frustrated just remembering all of my passwords when I am having a busy day.
My comment to Alexa was intended to convey that confidence and self-efficacy develop over time. As teachers we will have to recognize that all students are unique learners. Don't feel like you are so unique that you can't do this!
When I commented on Whitney's blog I told her I thought a teacher's class blog would be a great application. As a parent, I am overwhelmed by those Welcome to the Classroom, This is our class schedule, Here is our Syllabus, You need to sign up for this, ad infinitum papers that my children bring home and pile on my desk. The idea of a teacher's blog would alleviate a lot of tree killing and a lot of Mom, I needed you to give me that check for my field trip YESTERDAY!
I feel that the commenting aspect of blogging can be beneficial for all.
Be free and let it take you where you need to go
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