Thing # 4

Commenting on blogs is new to me. For that matter, blogging is new to me. But I can see its importance, and will not be one of the 'lurkers' out there. Blogging is a social networking tool. How can you be networking if you do not participate? To have a conversation, online or in person, a minimum of two people are needed. If only one person does the talking, or blogging, then there is no conversation. This doesn't mean you have to comment on everything you read. There are always times to be quiet and listen. However, if we are to constantly learn and grow, we have to be involved.

From the readings of Thing #4, I agreed most with the idea of inviting comments. Don't just ask questions, make your readers feel like their comments are welcome. If your readers feel safe, they'll open up and share their thoughts and ideas. This would include being overly protective or critical in responses to comments. Don't do it. You might shut someone off and miss out on some really great ideas. I believe we should use the same courtesies and manners that we use in face to face conversations during online conversations as well.

Another good point was reminding us to not comment if all we're going to do is say "way to go!" Make your comments meaningful, or at least interesting. You don't have to have earth-shattering revelations in every comment. I commented on several blogs, not just because it was part of the assignment, but because I felt compelled to. I commented about the interesting name of a cat on Jeanette's learning space, and tried to help Jacob realize that he will be seen as the expert by his future students at Fuson's 3040 Blog. I thanked Fulfilling My Childhood Dream for giving me more ideas for the use of blogs when I become a teacher, and I share Thuy Luu's opinion of becoming technology dependent. My fifth EDUC 3040 blog commented on was Jessica Morgan's.