Thing # 4.

For this post, we are supposed to explore the world of commenting on blogs. I am one of those people who will lurk on blogs, discussions boards, and even facebook! My husband calls me a stalker because I read blogs of people we went to high school with, but I don't ever comment on them! Perhaps after reading several of these articles I will start commenting more!

Commenting on blogs help create a world of interaction online because writers like to see who is reading their blogs. I always think to myself who is reading my blog. I know for this class, you all will read portions of my blog, but I wonder if I have faithful readers every time I post something? I never will know unless those people stare to comment! I think it is just as important for readers to comment on blogs, as it is for the writers to comment back and acknowledge the reader exists! Through the discussions in the comments it makes the blogging world interactive; its a place to exchange praise and ideas for the blog they are discussing!

I think one important point I read was that the writer of the blog needs to be accepting of all comments, even if its not supportive of the idea in the post or points out poor grammar and spelling! I know no one likes to be told they are wrong or did something incorrect, but it is important to be considerate of others ideas. It is important to be kind and gracious to the readers so that they keep coming back and being supportive! The other thing I find most important about commenting is to invite comments! I know on some of the blogs I follow, soon to be commenting on, they often times ask for feed back about ideas and photos posted in the post. I think its important to ASK people to leave comments to start this commenting interaction. In addition to asking people to leave comments, it doesn't hurt to make the commenting easier to do by not having the readers sign in!

Blogs I follow:

Two not from class:
1. Charmingly Chandler (not posting the link because this is my friends baby blog and its private)-I follow this blog because one of my friend posts updates about her daughters life and the trials of being a mother. She is a wonderful writer and is wonderful with photo shop, so looking at her posts are always entertaining and fun!

-The comments I make on this blog are to make my friend feel like all the effort she puts in regarding pictures and formatting of the blog are appreciated. I make them to tell her that I appreciate what she does because I like to read her blogs on studying breaks. Looking at what makes someone happy in life makes me happy for them! She does a wonderful job of having fun things like Wordless Wednesdays, which either include pictures of a video of her daughter. She is true and real when she writes, she writes about the great things of being a mother and the not so great things. She gets stressed and falls behind sometimes, but overall she is consistent for her readers and apologizes if she falls behind!

2. From House to Home-this is another personal blog I follow. It is following the house renovations of my friend and their first new home. As a first time home buyer myself, I constantly feel like I want to update, modify, or completely redo a room in our house! This blog follows the remodeling of a house room by room, starting with the day they found the house!

-I comment on this blog to point out ideas I like or dislike for them.. Once again the author does a wonderful job asking for readers opinions about designs, colors, or overall remodel ideas! I like to see other peoples ideas because one day we hope to build our own house when we are out of the military and have the freedom to settle down! I always try to be supportive with the things I do like and for the things I don't like I try to explain why! However, she clearly has the right to say why she does or why she doesn't agree with me!

3. Angela D. O'Conner-I chose to comment on her blog because she is my friend in this class!

-I commented on her thing # 9 post with her Valentine's day picture. It was very cute and festive seeing as we are coming closer to Valentine's Day!

4. Michelle's Journey Through the Web-I chose to read and comment on her blog because she is also another friend in this class!

-I commented on her thing #1 post for her 7 1/2 habits of learning. I told her that her easiest and my hardest were the same and explained why I felt play was the hardest for me! I also tried to be supportive of her most difficult habit, confidence as a life long learner. I think its important for all of us to be supportive as we go through this program!

5. Kate Newsham-I chose this blog because she is in several of my classes!

-I commented on her thing # 2 post. She discussed the idea of possibly changing her avatar based on her mood. I really like that idea, I am thinking as I feel like I am making strides towards my professional career, perhaps I will update mine on my blog as well!

6. Tim's Thoughts-another class member!

-I commented on Tim's thing # 2 post. I saw that he hadn't posted an avatar yet, so I reminded him and gave some encouraging comments regarding that. I also said I look forward to reading his blog. He seems concerned about learning some things in this class, but I hope through his blog he will discover the Internet and computers aren't as complicated as they appear to be!!

7. Valarie O.-another class member!

- I commented on her thing # 1 post. Once again we share the habit play as one of the most difficult things for us! She is also teaching this semester and I am interested to see what she tries for technology in her classroom. Also to see what the students like and dislike, what works and what doesn't! I look forward to reading her blog!