Why Blog? How early to effectively Blog? What to Blog?
Let’s understand this
weB LOG shall we? Let’s back up and reflect some....
As a starting point:
Inventions, creations, opportunities, events ... life
in general evolves because the human faculty is not only the breeding ground
but also the impetus of life as we know it. There is the natural train of human
thought:
Thought – idea – perception – curiosity – plan of
action – excitement – uncertainty – recognition - success – failure – reaction –
recovery – resilience – accomplishment -adjustment – CYCLE repeats.
Personal train of MY thoughts, please FEEL FREE to
fill in this process.
Blogging allows an open forum whereby thoughts can be
voiced, transferred into action, put down on paper, or simply ‘put down.’ For
those who have ACCESS...
there is not a thought/voice/action that needs ever to
be put down.
One reaches
one’s reasoning through an interactive, informed, enriched, and opinionated
discourse – one that can be achieved via blogging. Is this not what we hope to
achieve as educators when we talk about maximising ‘student engagement?’
An article by Lorrie Jackson in Education World simply
describes blogging as:
“a
method of online journaling. Take a look at any blog and you'll immediately see
the connection between it and a traditional diary.”
Therefore, thoughts, comments, answers to situations, or questions
about issues are posted…only this time, the recipients extend to a global
audience. A database that can nurture you or caution you...either way you are
on a more instant, connected journey of not only self-discovery but also of
self-enhancement. As part of this journey,
Einstein intuitively knew that thinking is
speculative and how personal beliefs and theories distort what we observe. Once
he observed jokingly, “If the facts don’t confirm your theory, change your
facts.”
I believe ‘success’ and ‘value’ are resonated in most
schools’ core philosophies.
Moreover, as Andrew Sullivan goes on to bluntly
putting,
“…don’t fool
yourself…um…when you’re blogging, when really you’re just putting
stuff up
online,” and that,
“…a blog to
live really has to be probably 4 or 5 times a day.”
What does a live, vibrant, engaging conversation look
like? Answers to ‘Should teachers take out classroom time to teach Blogging?’
To, ‘Why I, an 8 year old, should be allowed to have my own mobile phone.’ Or
to, ‘How can you help me understand what the stance on vaccinating my new baby
in light of some vaccines adverse effects?’ Blogging, as Sullivan continues to
explain,
“is a dialogue, not a monologue.”
Is your immediate circle of friends/colleagues knowledgeable
to sufficiently answer these entries? Or can you be heard without going through
a complicated web of
bureaucracy?
THEN, DO BLOG.
Take the time in which you have
today’s future for more than 6 hours a day in your classroom to avail of this instant
platform.
Start off small, start off true, start off simple. Be
present. Be open. Be safe. Set an example. These are entries that spark, engage,
and challenge our minds in order that
we evolve to the potential inherently
wired in us.
Resources:
Einstein’s Insights into Human Nature
http://www.dailygood.org/story/241/einstein-s-insight-into-human-nature/
http://www.dailygood.org/story/241/einstein-s-insight-into-human-nature/
How To Blog Like Andrew Sullivan
Shalini, I like how you've woven several different quotes and ideas in with your own thinking. At times it seems as though you may be trying to convince yourself here, and that's fine with a blog as its about reflection too. I like how you have distilled it down to the idea of blogging being about a dialogue. Your personal blog will likely not experience the comment level that professionals do, however, that doesn't mean it isn't being read and blogged about somewhere else.
ReplyDeleteShalini, I like how you've woven several different quotes and ideas in with your own thinking. At times it seems as though you may be trying to convince yourself here, and that's fine with a blog as its about reflection too. I like how you have distilled it down to the idea of blogging being about a dialogue. Your personal blog will likely not experience the comment level that professionals do, however, that doesn't mean it isn't being read and blogged about somewhere else.
ReplyDelete