One of the many benefits of this class has been forcing me to try blogging. I say forcing because no way would I have tried this on my own! I have not really figured out how to link with other blogs...and this is partly because commenting on classmates' blogs was not a required part of the class. If I'd been forced to figure it out, I would have! In January, I wouldn't have been able to say that with conviction...so I'm personally grateful for being dragged into the world beyond email. I found blogging more stressful that writing journal responses on paper. I don't believe this is entirely due to the technical challenge; it's because when you push the button "publish" you've put something out there that anybody can read. It's broadens your audience, and increases the pressure on the writer.
Other personal pluses:
- Some understanding of how literacy is changing. Those of us who are generations older than our students may not grasp the speed and especially the interactive component that kids (and adults too) find through blogs and facebook, etc. The process of blogging underscored class readings on multiple literacies and the importance of audience.
- Increased comfort level with the Internet. Caveat: I never did figure out how to download a video to the blog. Had my son or daughter still been at home...I might have made it. Oprah "Ahahh" moment: you really do have to learn by doing and experimenting on computers. Fear of making a mistake is an enemy of progress !
- I didn't fully do the blogging experience because I didn't check my blog for responses. This was partly due to anxiety with the technology and the content. I didn't want to think about the interactive part, so I just treated it as mode of writing journals. I shortchanged myself, but I'm going to correct that by posting a comment on your journal this week!
- Blogging makes you spend more time on a computer...when parent's say they can't tell if their kids are doing homework or facebooking, I have a better understanding of what they mean!
I would try blogging in my classes IF I WAS CO TEACHING WITH SOMEONE WHO BOTH UNDERSTOOD THE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES AND HAD A CREDIBLE PLAN FOR AVERTING PITFALLS. After finally visiting youtube and reading the vindictive comments, I would never have students blog for class unless the blog community was limited and a teacher screened entries prior to their being sent. I believe blogging would encourage students to be more prolific in journaling and force the ones who slide by quietly in class to interact with the material and with the ideas of other class members. I anticipate that blogging would increase student interest and make assignments more authentic. Since kids are comfortable connecting through facebook and other interactive forums, I think blogging also has the potential to foster tolerance and understanding between students who might not otherwise share ideas and perspectives (a bit like the performance opportunities and critical partners in our class).
I would like to find a professional blog where resource teachers share new ideas, frustrations, successful strategies. Putting your thoughts into words does help you organize and articulate them. It makes you accountable in some way, and lets you give and get the support of a virtual community.
Overall, the blogging component of this class was a hassle for me, but very worthwhile. The only suggestion I would have, is requiring us to post a comment on at least one other blog per week. Making it an explicit expectation would encourage (force) reluctant "textors" like me to explore the community aspects of blogging.
Barb :)
I like your suggestion Barb! I will definitely incorporate the community blogging piece into the next time that I do this assignment.
ReplyDeleteI definitely understand your sentiments though. I am not a blogger. Don't know that I could be. But, it's interesting to push yourself in challenging ways.