Several characteristics of blogging stand out from my readings. In general, blogs are short, succinct and thought provoking. Writing for this genre forces writers to read and think critically, and demands clarity and cogency, citing references that support the author’s ideas (Richardson, 2010). Typically bloggers read and reflect a great deal on their topics before committing text to screen, because they know their posts will be read widely and receive commentary from many individuals. They include links to references that support their point, inviting readers to examine the information for themselves. Bloggers I have read apparently try to avoid jargon, clichés and buzzwords, although they may use humor and repetition to make a point, as in Richard Byrne’s “21 Reasons to stop saying ‘21st Century Teacher’." Blogs can even become cited sources, as their authors build credibility over time by being referenced themselves by other bloggers.
Although many individuals have blogs now, few of us actively think about a blog as a thoughtful, reflective way to learn. Like diaries and journals, they are used to express opinion, but unlike those private documents, blogs are intended to invite discussion. Sometimes the comments stimulate even deeper reflection; the best comments seem to be those that raise opposing viewpoints while presenting supporting arguments. Bloggers often respond to the comments and engage in further discussion with commenters, and commenters have thoughtful conversations with each other. This raises the level of discussion and encourages deeper understanding of the topic, even among those “lurkers” who read but do not participate in discussion. Citations and discussions build a shared web of knowledge that connects people to ideas.
I have come to believe that blogs require a deeper set of literacy skills from readers because of their multi-level connectedness to others’ ideas and communication. Using educational blogs is a way to present information to a wide audience, while reflecting accountability for those ideas through reactions of the audience. Blogs are like op-ed pieces for an international newspaper, only without the paper, and without an editorial board, but drawing on the collective wisdom of perhaps hundreds of collaborators.
References:
Ahlquist, D. (2008, February 4). Discover Chesterton. An introduction to Chesterton. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from http://www.chesterton.org/discover-chesterton/who-was-this-guy/
Byrne, R. “21 Reasons to stop saying "21st Century Teacher." Free Technology 4 Teachers. Retrieved September 3, 2013 from http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2013/04/21-reasons-to-stop-saying-21st-century.html#.UiqV2sasim4
Davis , V. (2013, May 3). Cool Cat Teacher Blog: If Common Core Standards become our straight jacket, we'll hate what education becomes. Cool Cat Teacher Blog. Retrieved September 7, 2013, from http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2013/05/if-common-core-standards-become-our.html
Glogowski, K. (2008, February 4). Towards Reflective BlogTalk. Blog of proximal development. Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://www.teachandlearn.ca/blog/2008/02/04/towards-reflective-blogtalk/
Lynch, J. (2005, July 26). Samuel Johnson. Home | Rutgers-Newark. Retrieved September 7, 2013, from http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Johnson/
Lynch, T. (n.d.). Welcome to Thomas Lynch, Poet and Writer. Thomas Lynch, poet and writer. Retrieved September 7, 2013, from http://www.thomaslynch.com/1/234/index.asp
Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.).
Swift, J. (n.d.). Jonathan Swift - A Modest Proposal. The Art Bin Magazine. Retrieved September 7, 2013, from http://art-bin.com/art/omodest.html