Blogs!? Now I get it…
Posted by: mferrinda in Expert Presenters, tags: blogs, introduction, sue watersThe introduction to blogging by Sue opened my perspective to a world I had not yet known existed. I knew minor details about blogs and blogging however I did not understand the extent to how widely it is used internationally. The idea of writing your own personal ideas, beliefs and opinions for the world to see was still sinking in. Having this door opened to me during Sue’s presentation allowed me to appreciate how powerful this tool can be. The example shown to us with the blog that Sue had written especially for our unit demonstrated how international educators are interested in what’s happening in a university in Perth, Australia.
So where to from here with blogging for me?
Well I think everything deserves a decent go before it can be judged, and the use of it in this unit will be an excellent way to gauge my thoughts on the whole process.
I do recommend those unsure or sitting on the wall with blogging to jump off and set up a blog site and see what happens. There’s always no harm in trying!
Entries (RSS)
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 am
Now I get it …
This is exactly how I feel Matthew. I have been reading posts for quite a while as they help me to access the most current information about a particular topic but up until Sue’s session I had always just been a lurker. I had never responded to posts. I simply read the information and then just walked away. In fact, upon reflection – it sounds quite ill mannered.
Sue’s session encouraged me to engage in the whole Blogging process. I started by creating my own Blog (http://linapell.edublogs.org/) and responding to Blog posts. Matthew I hope others take your advice “I do recommend those unsure or sitting on the wall with blogging to jump off and set up a blog site and see what happens. There’s always no harm in trying!”.
I hope teachers also take your advice – I am really enjoying sharing this experience with my university students.
August 23rd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
How true! I have had my eyes opened too. Have you noticed that people are still adding comments to Sue’s original blog? Here I am following your advice too – there’s no harm in trying!
Denise
August 31st, 2008 at 10:48 am
Definitely agree with “everything deserves a decent go before it can be judged”. Until you experience yourself the learning that happens as part of the reflective process of blogging you mightn’t necessarily appreciate the importances of using blogs or value for using with students. So what’s your next blog post going to be on?
August 31st, 2008 at 11:40 am
Thank you all for the kind comments. It has been great to receive feedback from others on my opinions.
As for the next post Sue, that may just have to be a surprise, I am tempted to rant on some youth of society and parenting as my car was damaged on Friday night in my driveway, but I think I will keep it educative and play the safe card!
Stay tuned for more…
August 31st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Hi Matt — Sorry about your car. That is terrible. Off course I should encourage you to keep it educative since it is for your course however in terms of building up a community on a blog sharing aspects of your life helps provided your rants are appropriate and aren’t anything you wouldn’t say to your grandmother
. To be honest many of my readers on my Mobile Technology in TAFE blog love the glimpses of who I am more than my informative posts.
I also notice like Kate you have added me to your twitter stream. Here is a post I wrote awhile ago about using twitter which might help you. To use twitter effectively I recommend that you download and use a twitter application on your computer (I suggest probably Twhirl in your situation).
Also you won’t get twitter until you add adequate number to your network and start interacting with people. The fastest way to increase numbers is for me to ask my network to add you (let me know if you want me to do this). This post by Tom Barrett might give you ideas on how to use twitter as a teaching tool. Good luck
August 31st, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Thanks for the heads up Sue! This is exactly what I’m after, as you may have put two and two together and worked out that Kate and myself are working on twitter and presenting it to our class. I would be more than glad for your network to add me as this will really help me to understand fully its purpose. I have being trying to place it all together but it some of the pieces are missing and this just might help me solve it.
What experience have you had with using a twitter gadget on your iGoogle homepage? I have added BeTwittered but am still experimenting with it. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated on this!!
September 1st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I hope you and your mates enjoy blogging and find it as educative as I have (http://preview.tinyurl.com/63ljve).
But I have to warn you that it is something you have to work at – write regular posts, and just as important, get out and about and comment on other people’s blogs so that you start to form connections. All the best, Sarah
September 1st, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Hi Matt,
You are lucky to have such great assistance from Sue, she is a real gem. Just so you can get a feel that even the primary kids are getting into all this blogging etc have a look through the links in one of my online presentations http://projectingpassionately.pbwiki.com/. Other examples can be found dotted throughout the other links on http://johnp.wordpress.com/online-presentations/
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 am
Hi Matt,
I wish you happiness in your blogging and in your studies. I would like to know what are you going to teach. I’m a teacher of Portuguese, I’m active on line since May, but blogging has opened up a new horizon before me: I’ve met such wonderful people and learned such amazing new things! All along the way Sue has been the great reference: you can turn to her whenever you are in trouble. My work at school has just restarted today, thus, from now on I’ll only be on line in the evenings; even though, if you wish, I can add you to twitter. Do you?