Blogging helps create a sense of community in many ways. First, it's simple communication.Individuals are allowed to voice their opinions and feelings about specific issues and others respond in kind. This is the back and forth of normal conversation except blogging may take several days or weeks for a full conversation. If a blog was founded on a discussion about a particular issue or topic everyone that makes a post is contributing to the conversation about that particular issue. Therefore, a community is formed by the consistent communication about a similar topic of interest.
It was interesting to read about blogger etiquette when commenting on a post. Some people choose to email a response, others choose to reply with a simply post, while others may simply write a new post in response to a previous post. We must show some kind of respect to the poster we are commenting on. If we consider ourselves part of a specific community there must be respect. I also read about how to increase the participation rate on your blog. Some suggestions include: invite comments, ask questions, leave open ended questions and set rules for your comment section. I made comments on five students from class: mreese.blogspot.com, guspainter.blogspot.com, apsueducation.blogspot.com, 23thingstodowhenyouarebored.blogspot.com, wmstroopstoteachers.blogspot.com. I commented on two blogs of interest: parentingaspergers.com/blog/ and michellespecialeducation.blogspot.com. I selected these five students from my class because they are inspiring teachers that just happen to sit in very close proximity to me. I selected the first interest blog because my 10 year old son has asperger's syndrome and any advice and help is much appreciated. I selected the second interest blog because I am a Sped student and the blog is posted by a current sped teacher that goes through the ins and outs with her students. Any advice and help for a new teacher is appreciated as well!
On each of the students in my class I commented on how well their page looked, as well as, how much I enjoyed their post. Pretty generic I suppose. On mreese blog, I couldn't find his 23 things so I commented on that fact. I commented on a post about parents being the experts of their child's health on the asperger's blog. I stated part of my own story with my son. I commented on the sped teacher site about a class puzzle that took them 3-4 months to complete. I commented that she is setting a wonderful example and that children are so much smarter than we know.
I think that your post about blogging etiquette makes a great point. Input does not mean insult but I'm afraid that many people don't see it that way.
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