Thing 4

I have found commenting to be an important part of the blogging world because it creates a sense of community that allows for open and relaxed conversation between people. Commenting also lets the author know that people are reading their blog. When people comment in a professional manner it can spawn a discussion that allows for multiple view points to be heard and considered. My goal is to one day have a blog where people actually read what I say and then respond just like we are having a conversation. This validates both the writer and the reader.

The first comment I made was:

I understand that playing and having fun can be hard for many of us. I know that for me it is always a struggle between classes and work. I have found that if nothing else, I need about 20 minutes to myself everyday. In order to make this happen I have tried to find a chance to take a nice relaxing bath or read a chapter of a book before I go to bed. While this doesn't seem like play, it allows me to do something for myself that I enjoy.

January 26, 2013 at 2:29 PM - I made this comment to remind the writer to try and take just a little bit of time for herself everyday. I feel that this comment brings in my own life experience and allows me to have a conversation with this writer.

The second comment I made was:

Life of a graduate studentJanuary 26, 2013 at 2:36 PM

I like the idea of posting interesting links for your students in your blog. I am not really sure that this would work too well with younger kids but I think the idea is great and if you have older students who will take things you post and run with them, the concept would be quite effective.

- I think that this comment will spark a discussion that might give me some other ideas on how to use blogs with younger children as well as lets the reader know that I like the ideas they have brought to the table

The third comment I left was:

Life of a graduate studentJanuary 26, 2013 at 2:41 PM

I also lack confidence in myself as a learner. I hate feeling like a question might have already been covered and I just missed something. I do not want other people in class to roll their eyes and be frustrated because I asked a question that they already understand.

This comment allows me to add a personal experience to the conversation while showing the blogger that I understand where they are coming from.

The fourth comment I made was:

Life of a graduate studentJanuary 26, 2013 at 4:48 PM

I also find it easy to take responsibility for my own learning. I was home schooled all the way through (K-12). After I left the once a week class sessions, I was on my own to figure out when I would do my homework and when I would balance all my other school work as well as other extra curricular activities. I learned very quickly that no one would figure all this out for me. I was on my own and learning the material was my responsibility.

This comment allows me to take and offer my own experience as well as tell the blogger that I am in the same situation they are in.

My fifth class comment was:

Life of a graduate studentJanuary 26, 2013 at 4:52 PM

I have a tough time beginning with an end in mind. I always want to jump right in and get started. I have a hard time thinking about what I want something to look like when it is finished and I am terrible at making plans to get things done. I would much rather wing it then plan. I hate making lists and goals and I dislike too much structure in my own life. I like structure in the classroom but I love things to be kind of crazy in my own life.

This comment gives me the chance to provide a different point of view to the blogger and allows for me to express my own struggle with this area.

The first outside comment I left was:

http://orgjunkie.com/2013/01/5-steps-to-organize-anything.html#comment-88198 I choose this blog because I have been looking for ways to make cleaning and organizing my house easier.

I really need to get my house cleaned up and organized. I am tired of all the piles of clutter that bulid up because I never take the time to clean and put things away. Thank you for putting the process into just a few steps that make sense and keep me from losing my mind. - I left this comment because I wanted to let the author know that they made a difference in the way I will clean up my house.

The second outside comment I left was:

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/01/my-best-couponing-tipfrom-former-coupon.html#comment-74749  I choose to comment on this blog because we are both couponers that have busy lives and we are trying to save as much money as possible.

Thank you for providing me a way to stock up on products I need without having to spend hours clipping coupons. I just don’t have enough hours to clip coupons and search for all the best deals. I like that you have brought everything into one place and made this so easy that anyone can really pick up and start doing this. - I left this comment because I feel like she has given me an option that is doable without spending hours clipping coupons. Between school and work I just don't have time to clip and search and shop like I used to. This has been an eye opener for me and I plan to take this info into my life as I move forward.