Thing #4 - Commenting and Community

Commenting on other blogs helps create a sense of community through dialogue.  People learn, share, and grow through dialogue and collaboration.  People post blogs about what they are interested in and hearing other people respond to their interests fosters a sense of community and acceptance.  This online interaction is crucial to sustaining a blog.  You want to know people are hearing what you have to say and you want to hear what people have to say about your blog.

One interesting point on commenting I found was this: "Are you listening to the voice of your readers?"  A great blogger will respond to their followers comments.  Another interesting point to commenting I found was that there is a proper way to comment.  You should never be demeaning or use sarcasm.  Also, never attack the blogger.  Words are a powerful and should be used with care.

5 Classmate Blogs: 

I selected the blogs of my classmates (listed below) somewhat superficially.  Mr. Braem's 23 Things was on the top of the sidebar list.  Prufrock and Roll seemed very creative and interesting.  23 Things from Mrs. Cruise had gotten pretty far along in her blog of 23 Things.  23 Things had a great naked avatar.  Last but not least, I am friends with the author of KHS Chemistry 23 Things.  

Mr. Braem's 23 Things: http://mrbs23things.blogspot.com/: I commented on the fact we both had "play" as our easiest habit for lifelong learning.

KHS Chemistry 23 Things: http://khschemistry23things.blogspot.com/: I commented on her avatar.  I liked the fact that it was simple like she claimed to be.

Prufrock and Roll - 23 Things: http://prufrockandroll23things.blogspot.com/: I shared my support for her idea that technology won't and shouldn't take over the classroom.

23 Things from Mrs. Cruise: http://cruise23things.blogspot.com/: I made a comment relating to some pictures she made through Image Chef because they resonated with me.

23 Things: http://spinnock.blogspot.com/: I tried to give advice on how to correctly upload her avatar to her blog.

2 Alternative Blogs:

The two alternative blogs I chose (listed below) talk about things I am interested in.  One is a blog of a guy who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and the other is a blog about running.  I made one comment on the CF blog to encourage the man going through such a tough ordeal. 

http://runsickboyrun.blogspot.com/: I made one comment on the CF blog to encourage the man going through such a tough ordeal. 

http://naturalrunningcenter.com/:  I made a comment regarding a book I'd read about barefoot running.