Thing 4 Comments

Comments are a great way to build a community around specific content and interact with the people involved. There are many advantages of a comment to share opinion, relate to topic, and provide supportive feedback to the blogger. Building business relationships through blogging is a great tool to earn recognition and gain a reputation. Blogs are a form of social networking when its used positively it can be very effective.

I commented on 5 of my classmates:

Carrie Ingram's Thing #12, I agree Google is my Go to for almost anything! Google's format is so simple and easy to use. A few facts about Google, it was launched out of a dorm room in 98, it employs 32,000 people, processes one billion searches a day, and earns the U.S. over 30 billion a year! Google is a very powerful tool that everybody uses daily.

Pamela Wood's Thing #3, In addition to a child being absent, posting video lectures through a blog can also be implemented in flipping the classroom. This instructional technique could be used for homework, assignments, and projects that require more cooperative learning in a classroom setting. Special needs students can benefit from flipping the classroom because they get more one-on-one with teacher/students. I think flipping the classroom is beneficial sometimes depending on content and expectations.

Joya Threalkill's Thing #4, Blogging is a form of social networking it can cause social anxiety and social acceptance. Comments are an important way to provide feedback positive/negative to enhance the blogging experience. Opening links to communication breaks down those barriers and creates a stronger community. Once you get acquainted with blogging you will open up more with commenting. Blogging involves the writer and the reader, by leaving your comment you make a difference.

Debra Millan's Thing #4, It's important to be an active participant instead of a passive observer because it gives support to the writer of the blog. The writer can connect with the reader when feedback/comments are provided. Great idea to return a comment on a person's blog that commented on yours.

Davie Wallace's Thing #1, I can totally relate to her easy/hard habits. I believe begin with the end in mind is easy because there are many roads to travel that lead to the same destination. I tend to be a very serious person and I like to be in control, so play is hard for me as well. I believe each easy/hard habit can be broken/created and these habits can be our weakness/strengths depending on how we teach.

The outside blogs I commented on were:

The Principals Page (http://www.principalspage.com/theblog/archives/parents-just-say-no/comment-page-1#comment-41162), this blog was interesting from a principals perspective. The principal is wise and set in his ways but addresses a valid point to say "no" when necessary to children. Its our role as parents and teachers to provide discipline for children so when they grow into the real world they have self-control to make the best decisions. This was not sugarcoated, I agree that we can give an E for effort but not a trophy for every child and by saying "no" sets boundaries for our children to learn about our world.

Regurgitated Alpha Bits (http://regurgitatedalphabits.blogspot.com/2012/10/homewhat.html) This blog was called "homewhat" the teacher does not believe in homework! Homework is considered a tradition but its not necessary. Class time is utilized for formative assessment to provide feedback a the students need during class time, this assessment can be through small groups, discussions, projects and so much more.