thing #4

Commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction, because it is a form of feedback. It turns a monologue into a duologue or a lecture into a discussion. A health coach might post a blog on how to count calories properly. With comments the health coach may be reassured that the information he is giving out is valid and useful. With comments other readers may be provided with additional information


Ask Questions – Including specific questions in posts definitely helps get higher numbers of comments. I find that when I include questions in my headings that it is a particularly effective way of getting a response from readers as you set a question in their mind from the first moments of your post.As a blogger, if you want comments asking questions is a great way to open doors! It makes the readers feel involved and encouraged to contribute to your blog!

Write a meaningful comment-
As an language arts nerd, I find meaningful comments important. A comment or sentence in a paper such as "I don't like this." or "I do like this." is one of my biggest pet peeves. WHY do you like/dislike "this". WHAT exactly do you like or dislike. A "if/then" sentence or one that ends with a "because" phrase transforms a sentence or comment into a meaningful one. Bloggers and teachers appreciate more than just thumbs up feedback. They want to know what specifically perked your interest or made you think.

I chose to commit on Kelsie Penick's blog because her use of the picture generators were adorable. Especially the Dalmation comic strip in Thing #9! I was sure to let her know in my comment that it made me smile.

I chose to follow Jessi Wright's blog because I had met her this summer on our study abroad trip to Spain =)
When I happened to come across her blog the first time she had posted some pictures from said trip in thing #7. The pics were linked from flicker. I absolutely loved them! They really captured the personality of the trip. I commented
"I did a post on Spain for thing number 7 too! Except I found pictures other people had taken on Flickr. Now that I think about it I love your personal touch better! This post makes me miss all the crazy adventures in Spain!"

I chose to comment on Candice Casaday's blog because of her organization on her blog. The layout was adorable and the photos she chose to post seemed to coordinate very well. It was the prettiest blog I've seen yet! I discussed this further in my comment on her thing #7

I chose Mallory Stewart's blog because she includes all sorts of creative ideas in her posts. I commented that her post on thing #9 inspires me with ideas for activities in my future classroom!

I chose Bridgette Elmore's blog because her posts have a unique personality. Her character and voice is very clear in the blog! She defiantly is a conversationalist blogger. I informed her of all this in my comments!

I chose to follow Yeah, That'll Teach You A Lesson not only because of the creativity in the posts, but of all the knowledge in the posts. This new New York City elementary teacher blogs on her hardships during her first years of teaching. There are lots of "do's" and "don'ts" mentioned throughout the post that I will be able to learn from. She hasn't posted anything new since 8 though. I begged her to post some updates for me because I'm curious as to how she has further developed.

I chose Mrs Cassidy's Classroom Blog because not only does she share the activities done in her classroom, she provides pictures and videos of just about everything!