I actually like blogging. I do. Despite the fact that I seem to have trouble actually posting anything, I think blogs are a great way for students to communicate about their experiences in class.
The problem? Too many times I sat down at the computer and said, "Wow! I should probably blog something!" and when I started to blog I thought, "What the heck am I going to post that has anything to do with class?" Because, lets face it, a lot of students just want to vent about their feelings about class. And knowing that you're supposed to present a blog portfolio at the end of the semester kind of deters that open and free feeling.
So what about blogging assignments? It does work some times. I really like putting my presentations on a blog, because that lets me put up links to other websites with relevant information. Truth be told, I have a lot of problems "journaling" about specific things that happen in class. Or about readings. Mostly, because I prefer to talk about them in class. And because I generally feel obligated to produce something wonderful and grand with a thousand links to wonderfully relevant pages.
And that just doesn't normally happen. Key words: "richly" linked. What, exactly, IS a richly linked blog? Is it a blog that doesn't use a plethora of links, but the links it *does* use are highly relevant and useful? Or is it a blog with a great number of links that aren't of the highest quality? Personally, I like using very relevant links. (and yes, I consider the MST3K and the riff relevant) I don't like wasting people's time with amusing but frankly, a bit useless information.
Lastly. In an "academic" blog, I don't like talking about personal life stuff. Thus, my blog is a bit... bare. ^_^;;
I do like blogging, to an extent, and I do think it is a useful tool. I also think I'm just not the right personality type to provide a plethora of blogs.
And, yes, I know that I'm not putting up a lot of links in this blog. Mostly, because I just don't want to innocently insult someone about their blog.
Posted by RachelCrump at April 26, 2004 01:55 PM