Thing #4: The Power of Commenting

Commenting is an act that is often taken for granted in a world of instant status updates and continuous information overload.  After all, giving thoughtful insights to what we read on a blog requires time, which could be used for other activities (like reading other blogs!).  However, when bloggers and commenters mutually contribute, an interactive community is formed that is much greater than the sum of it's parts.

The five guidelines for commenting on another person's blog, especially if it is to disagree, on Cool Cat Teacher's blog should be required reading for all commenters on the Internet.  I can't count the number of times I have seen commenters be absolutely brutal in their comments.  There's something about the anonymity of the Internet that drives some people to feel they can be completely asinine with no repercussions.  My personal rule about commenting on the Internet:  "If I would not feel comfortable saying something to a person's face, then I don't post it on the Internet, especially on that person's blog."

I also like the ProBlogger article "10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog."  While reading, it seemed like the techniques would all fall under "common sense," but I'm always amazed how uncommon that type of sense is on the Internet (not to mention in the world at large.)  Two  techniques I have seen be particularly effective are "Ask Questions" and "Set Boundaries."  When you ask a specific question in your blog, it encourages your community to respond with their own opinions.  However, you must first make sure your community knows what is acceptable and what's not.  Moderating your community's comments is key to building said community; encourage debate and dialogue, but act quickly (but fairly) to squelch ad hominem attacks, trolling, flame wars, and spamming.

Check after the jump for my comments on blogs from the class & the blogosphere.



My 5 Comments on Classmate's Blogs:

1. From Matt Bull's "23 Things I Did and You Are Reading About":  Comment on Thing 2 - I decided to comment on this post because I have also used both Blogger and Wordpress, and have found I generally prefer Blogger for its integration of Google Accounts and simpler interface.
2. From Kristy Stanley's "Stanley School of Thought":  Comment on THING NO. 3 Thoughts of Ways to Utilize My Blog in My Education Program and in the Classroom - I commented on this post because I have run into similar problems of "over-thinking" situations only to realize later there was a much better and simpler solution.
3. From Scott Meyers' "S. Meyers' 23 Things":  Comment on Thing #9- Sign In! - I commented on this post because I really liked the images Scott generated, and one of his images made me think about a slightly different approach to homework.
4. From Melissa Bullock's "Bullock's 23":  Comment on Thing #10 - I commented on this post as I agreed with her idea about how "Thing #10" really should have been "Thing #4."
5. From Kelly Whitaker's "23 things":  Comment on Thing 5! SCHOOL 2.0 - I commented on this post because I thought the video she posted was very appropriate and cut to the heart of the issue about technology in the classroom.

My 2 Comments from the Blogosphere:

1. From "Free Technology for Teachers":  Comment on Magzinr - Bookmark and Tweet at the Same Time - I commented on this post because I like the idea behind Magzinr - the ability to bookmark, tag, and Tweet interesting sites all at once, and then be able to share them using tag-based RSS feeds.  I can see a lot of potential in being able to socially share bookmarks with students and with other teachers through Twitter or RSS.
2. From "Case Mod Blog":  Comment on NZXT Phantom "Venom" PC Mod is Inspiring! - This blog is run by Bill Owen, one of the foremost PC modders in the United States.  As PC modding is one of my hobbies, I follow this blog to see Bill's work, as well as that of other "modders."  I commented on this post, as the story behind the "Venom" PC mod is an inspiring tale of the journey that led David Lane, a.k.a. username "MyBadOmen," to become an award-winnign PC modder.  Equal parts how-to and retrospective, this post illustrates both the beautiful results of and the rocky path taken to complete a quality modding project.