It is weird for me to think that really in the end of writing on a blog, we are really writing for an audience. We write to pass on our experiences, relate with other people, and sometimes just to be random. With that said it may be tough for people to start to read your blog at first, especially if it is your first blog!
After commenting on a few other first time bloggers in the same boat as me, I have learned a few things. From commenting on Ashley Angeline's blog (http://justmythoughts66.blogspot.com/) that blogging is a realistic idea in the classroom as long as you consider the circumstances that include age and her idea was to have the students... "return a signed permission slip from parents. This way the parents also know what their child is doing. Also make sure that the child has an Internet slip. Many schools have parents sign these at the beginning of the year."
Now at first if I wanted to run a class with using blogs in the classroom I would not have thought of her idea but that is the wonder of blogging. I commented on her post by mentioning that there could be the challenge of the money gap among the students, her response was to keep the blogging within the student class room so that all the students had access to the computers and not just those who would be more capable outside of the classroom.
Another person who really helped me gain more from blogging is Megan Willman. She brings up her response to an article on age compared to technology use. The big message I took from her that I will definitely use in the future is "Quality over Quantity" She has made me think of the idea of dividing time evenly between technology as well as social interaction within the classroom. That is a very important idea. We don't have to use technology all of the time to reap the full benefits of what it has to offer in the classroom.
Thanks Megan!
http://megan-willman.blogspot.com/
Amelia Harrison also adds her thoughts to this same subject on her blog. While agreeing with us, she furthermore adds that there needs to be a balance between both social interaction and use of technology. She mentions that as long as the class has a healthy way of interacting with one another then technology "should not be a learning hinderance, but a privilege."
http://ameliadharrison.blogspot.com/
Getting away from Education, I took a look at Briana Roesel's blog. She was asking for people to comment on how she could make her site better and encourage people to look at and comment on it more. I simply advised her to put more of herself in it. More of her story. I think one of the best things about blogging that I've learned is that we can challenge each other in so many ways. I know that if Briana Roesel gives us something more to relate to or something more personal, more deep, then I believe that people will more closely follow her blog and really take something from it and give back in return.
http://brianaroesel.blogspot.com/
Reading other comments and commenting on other peoples blogs has really opened my eyes to what blogging can offer us. Of course it isn't the same as communicating in person, but sometimes I think it can be for the better. We can be shy in person, where as on a blog we could be more free to express our ideas and think upon them more. It is simply a different way of communication and sharing, and for me so far, a good one at that. I think I will continue to blog even after this class I am in is over.
As for bringing blogging into the classroom, well honestly I think that it depends on the class. I don't think I would feel comfortable blogging with students in elementary. I could definitely see it being better used in middle school onward. It is a nice idea to think about, but not one that is necessary. If the setting can allow me to use blogging then yes I would love to try it.
The stars don't shoot alone out here
Inspired from other peoples words worthwhile,
Ryhutch
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