I have to be really honest in this post, so bear with me...
When I first realized that we had to create a blog for this course, I was not in the least bit thrilled. I've always kept a distance from things like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, blogging and even emailing. Maybe it's the old fashioned side of me that believes if we lived without it for thousands of years, then there's no real need for it today! It was actually funny when my students found out that I have to keep a blog for this course, especially because I'm always yelling ( in a joking tone) that "the Internet is the plague!" (Although they know I'm exaggerating when I say this, they also realize that part of me means it!). As some of you may have noticed, a few of my followers are not fellow classmates, but my students who were determined to find this thing of mine, floating around cyberspace! (I still don't totally know how they found it, but they did!)
But now that we've been required to post and respond for the past several weeks, I'm finding that (a) it's not as bad as I had thought, and (b) it's actually incredibly informative. Not only have I been able to get to know my UNE classmates for the first time, through pictures, personal confessions and stories, but I've also found this a cathartic experience. I've had the opportunity to share things about myself that I normally wouldn't share in any online (or live) classroom setting, and I've also been able to gain feedback and encouragement through the response from peers. Moreover, (I can't believe I've gotten to this point) I have found and joined other people's blogs (besides our UNE ones) that pertain to some of my interests. For example, this morning I was doing a bit of online research for rug hooking sites, and one of the URL addresses that popped up was a blog. Prior to this course, I would have totally avoided such a site, but now that I know what a blog is and how are helpful and informative one can be, I went to this particular blog and found some of the greatest information on rug hooking thus far! And once on this blog, I found links and other related blogs that proved to be helpful as well. What a great community building device.
So for all my previous bashing and "poo-poo"ing of all things Internet, I stand corrected and truly grateful for an experience that has benefited me in so many ways!
oh I couldn’t agree more with you about the wonderful aspects of this course and blogging with one another! I was actually going to reflect as well about how wonderful it has been for the first time to "see" one another and get to know each other on a personal level. It has been quite refreshing and I hope that our future courses do this as well. I have also found such relief by writing what’s on my mind or what I’m struggling with and receiving support by my peers is so encouraging. Thanks for your honesty...I feel like we were all a bit hesitant to begin blogging but now we know the benefits outweigh the negatives:)
ReplyDeleteYou said the name of your blog in class, that's how I found it! And I'm with you, when I first created a blog, I didn't like it, but the more I blog, the more I like it! I originally created a blog so I could read other people's posts, but I find I enjoy posting more than reading other people's posts. By the way, the other day I used the word "cathcartic" in a conversation with someone, and they were impressed :)
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right! I forgot I mentioned it in class. Now it makes sense! By the way, congratulations, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteElisha, I feel the same way. Blogging is fun and informative. I'm still not sure how much I might use it in my classroom and how I'd manage my time monitoring it, but I'm learning and that's always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI know how you felt. I was (and still am) very wary of this process, but mainly because it doesn't come naturally to me, and I feel like a wierdo writing abotu things (I've never been much of a writer, although I do write my own prompts and math problems...it's not the same). Anyway, I will say that I've enjoyed reconnecting with reading; and getting to know my peers. Thanks for sharing your feeling about the assignment, as a math person, it makes me feel better that other people felt similar anvxiety.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I posted a comment to respond to your poem, but I don't see it. Did you see it? Thanks.
Matt, I don't see your comment, but you know, this happened to a comment I made on your recent blog post- I hit post and then when I checked it last night again, I didn't see it! I guess one of the major pitfalls of blogging then is the glitches that come along the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks for trying to comment on mine, and I'll try to re-comment on yours at some point today! (...I loath finals week!)
I just realized I said "cathcartic" instead of "cathartic", but I think you knew what I meant :) I'm so used to writing "cathcart"!
ReplyDeleteI assumed that was the case! How funny!
ReplyDelete