Thing 4: Un Commentaire

     Everyone loves comments. It doesn't matter if it's a new picture uploaded to Facebook, a tweet, or an email. When you check your inbox and see that "so-and-so" just commented on your new profile picture, you can't help, but smile. There's something about that feeling when you know someone out there cares about you and what you're doing. This same feeling is felt everyday by fellow bloggers, like myself.
     CoolCatTeacher says that most bloggers "feel like they are posting to themselves." And I think it's safe to say that we all feel like this. Actually, some of us might; the others just remember that this is a graded assignment so we know that at least one person out there is reading our posts. (Ha!) But for the most part, we like to hear feedback every once in awhile to let ourselves know that our opinions do matter. That's why most people debate sensitive topics via Internet. The best way to sort out your supporters from your opposers is to just go public with it! ;) Believe it or not, it creates a sense of community and interaction when you can share your ideas through commenting on each other's blogs. This same idea is proposed by ProBlogger who posts "10 Techniques to Get More Comments on Your Blog." Here, the author tells you how to properly construct your blog through complimenting each other's posts.
     Let me be the first to tell you that I love compliments. When I receive a comment from someone, I treat it just like a compliment. It doesn't matter if it's hateful and rude, or a sincere gesture- regardless, the reader took the time to ponder my words and submit a response; my post was worthy of a reply. It wasn't just any reply, either. It was a well-written and thoughtful response. My friend, KBearden, is awesome at leaving posts that are professional and cutting edge. She tells you like it is and that's the way commenting should be. According to Will Richardson (Edublogger Etiquette), it's rude to leave a short, insignificant response. After spending an hour writing the perfect post, no one wants to receive feedback that says "cool." or "nice."
     If you, as the reader, notice something in error, try offering some advice to help fix the problem. Or if you can relate to the matter being discussed, share your story. There's nothing more fascinating than bonding over blogging (catchy, huh?). But it's true. Don't be afraid of the "comment box." It is your friend. And since we've talked a little bit about it, I hope you feel more comfortable in leaving some love on your friends' pages. But in case you're still a little weary about how it works, I'll give you a few examples.
     I'm picking five of my fellow classmates to periodically comment on his and her posts. They will be in alphabetical order, along with why I chose them

• Kristin Barrett (TeachMe) - Kristin and I know each other on a friendly basis. I would like to get to know her more and this could definitely be the best outlet for doing so. I love learning more about people through their career goals and what a good way than by sharing advice on teaching through technology?
• Kayla Bearden (KBearden) - Kayla and I share a personal relationship outside of the classroom. Although we will be teaching in separate environments (she is elementary education), she is smart and has a lot of sense about her. I look forward to reading about her ideas for teaching.
• Jesse Brewer (JBrewer) - Jesse and I are somewhat of acquaintances. From our surroundings, I can tell that he is very motivated and appears to have a strong head on his shoulders. By having him in a previous class, my guess is that he'll be making History a lot more fun than it was for me in high school.
• Gage Morse (GMorse) - Gage has recently decided to teach Secondary English education, like myself. With this being said, of course I want to get a glimpse inside his head. Granted, we hardly know each other, but with his ultimate goals being very much the same to my own, I think I can make this work.
• Chelsea Walker (CWalker31) - Chelsea and I also have a personal relationship. She has a very bubbly and whimsical personality about her, so I'm interested in learning about her professional expectations. I'm sure my interest will remain piqued throughout her posts.

Not too bad, right? The hard part is over. Now that I know who I will be paying most of my attention to, I will come back and let you know exactly what I said to who on what post. While I do that, I will also follow a couple of personal blogs that really interest me. The first will definitely be the Pioneer Woman. Not only do I get told on a regular basis how much I resemble her, but I cook like her as well. With that being said, it won't be hard to follow her around and comment. But as for the other one.. well, we'll see.

Yours,
TPlummer