Thing #4

Commenting on blogs is what brings them to life.  The conversation that takes place through comments sets blogs apart from the one-dimensional sites that are not interactive.  A common point made on all the recommended blog posts was that blog authors want to know they are being 'heard' - commenting accomplishes this.  Cool Cat Teacher compared commenting to voting; its a way speak up about topics important to you.


How to criticize kindly was also addressed on the Cool Cat Teacher blog.  She noted the following to consider before posting a comment.

1. Will it make a difference?
2. Is my perspective already shared?
3. First genuinely complement the author, point out where you agree and then tactfully share where you disagree

I think these are great guidelines for novice - advanced commenters.

Another issue Cool Cat Teacher touched on was what she termed Darth Vador comments.  I had wondered how bloggers handle unpleasant comments and I like the advice she gave.  

1. Delete the unkind comment
2. Never look back

I feel this is a valuable lesson to learn because everyone who blogs will at some point encounter "Darth Vador."  Its important to understand that when faced with mean spirited comments you're not obligated to post them.  And its even more important to not become discouraged by such comments but shake it off and stay true to your vision and reasons for creating the blog.  

7 Blogs I'll be following & commenting on my Journey Through 23 Things

1. C. McClenathan's McBlog

    I commented on this great blog title! My maiden name is McDonough and for years my brother has added "mc" to everything he can to make it sound personalized.  I wanted to share with Cindy that her title struck a sweet note in my heart.  :)

2. C. Sensing

   Carla shared a great strategy of using blogs for show and tell.  I commented to share what an awesome idea this is and that I like that by using blogs like this the students don't have to bring items to school. 

3. Erica Coleman APSU 23 Things for EDUC 5611-W1

    Erica chose to learn more about Hulu for Thing #6.  I am a big fan of this webware and have used it countless times.  I commented to express my favor for Hulu and my interest in learning new ways to use it for the classroom.


4. Dean's Blog 
    Dean shared a hilarious app for Thing #2. Its called Blabberize.  You get to upload a picture, highlight the mouth which will give it animation and then record a clip to attach with it. Dean's blabber is a talking monkey and is a riot. How cool would it be to introduce vocabulary words with a talking monkey!


5. David's APSU Blog
   David created a sweet graphic on imagechef.  It is a musical note composed of music vocabulary.  I commented on his cool idea to have his students expand on his image to create their own and build a visually stimulating world wall. 


Blogs not part of  Learning 2.0 / 23 Things Learning Community


6. Mental Floss 
   Ah Mental Floss "where knowledge junkies get their fix"! I have subscribed to this magazine for years and am now happy be following their blog as well. :) 


7. Maurice Elias
   This blog is located on the Edutopia site.  I decided to follow it because he frequently writes about social and emotional learning.  One of my term papers this semester will be on emotional intelligence so I figured his blog would help me gather some background knowledge on the subject.