Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Comment Challenge. I'm up for it!



I just joined the 31 day comment challenge. It is just the kind of challenge I enjoy, and I appreciate Kim, Sue, Silvia and Michele for setting it up in order to help new bloggers break into the conversation.
The goal is to comment often and well, to showcase new blogs, to stir up the pot of learning that is happening on blogs all over the web. And I, new blogger that I am, want in.

When I started my blog, back in January, my goals were simple. I just had the feeling that it was something I needed to do. I have to say that I am amazed at the way that blogging has propelled me forward as a 21st century teacher/learner. I actually think I have learned to process information more quickly as I jump around the web --reading, thinking, learning, commenting, subscribing, twittering.
I remember when I first put a visitor map on my blog. For a long time, it had only two red dots. One represented me, and the other one represented my friend who lives in Charleston. I was intrigued and excited when a new dot appeared. Who found my blog? Was it an accident? Did they read it?
I was so thrilled when I got that first comment from someone I didn't know in "real life." I still get excited every time someone comments on my blog.
I've learned a lot, but I still have so much to learn.

So, I am up for the challenge of going deeper into this blogging experience. I know it will affect me in ways I can't conceive of at this point. I don't care about the prize, unless the prize is that more people will read my blog and comment on my posts.
See, I do want to be a better blog citizen, but I have to admit, I also want to be a better blogger. As in, I want my own blog to be better.

I've noticed that since my name was put up on the wiki, I've had more hits than usual on my blog, hits that came from the wiki. It feels like a lot of pressure to me. I want to make the most of having people visit my blog. It's a good kind of pressure, because hopefully, this challenge will help me get into a routine, one that includes writing good, short! posts, reading, commenting and moving on to do some of the many, many other things I have waiting for me to do. I've long wondered how these bloggers/teachers/parents,etc. seem to do it all. Maybe this will help me figure it out.

Or maybe I'll just go completely nuts!

This is what my kitchen looks like on the evenings I blog. Truthfully, it usually looks even worse than that. I can't seem to do it all. That's my confession.
But I'm in it for the long haul.

I see great value in being a part of the edublogger community.

7 comments:

Langwitches said...

Andrea,
I am thrilled that you are joining the comment challenge. I think that we will learn something extraordinary in the process.

We need to start brainstorming activities for each day of the challenge that will keep the process fluid and interesting for all participants.
Any ideas?

Anonymous said...

Andrea,

We're so glad to have you on board! I know how tough it is to find some balance - I am definitely guilty of dropping everything to do fun stuff online.

Just yesterday I found myself getting up, stiff and sore, after about 5 hours of full-on online time planning this Comment Challenge and the Horizon Project Sounding Board stuff.

It's amazing what falls to the wayside when you're learning, interacting, connecting, and collaborating.

I have to really stay focused to make this Challenge doesn't completely take over though!

Oh, and please tag your posts related to this challenge with comment08 so that others can find your work (if you want them to, that is!)

efreeman said...

Great blog -- I totally agree with everything you have said.
In fact, I have decided to join comment08 because of your post!

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea

I just wanted to make sure that you were invited to our education "Blogger Summit". We hope you can make it and feel free to share this invitation with any other bloggers in the area that might be interested. The invitation is attached below.

Alex
ED In '08 Blogger Summit

--------------------------------

Strong American Schools is excited to announce the ED in '08 Blogger Summit. Conference details are as follows:

May 14th - 15th
Palomar Hotel, Washington DC
Registration is Free!

An opening reception is scheduled on the evening of Wednesday, May 14th. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served before the screening of a new documentary film on education, Two Million Minutes. A Q&A session with the filmmakers is set to follow.

Then join us for an all-day conference on May 15th. Nowhere else will you have an opportunity to meet and network with fellow education bloggers, participate in panels, attend workshops, and help tackle some tough questions on the state of education in America.

Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP today!

Register at http://edin08.com/bloggersummit/

Jennifer Verschoor said...

Dear Andrea,

Our kitchen seems to be very similar but most of all I think that our passion for education is what makes us meet.
I also joined Comment Challenge and I´m looking foward to learning and sharing many things.
Warm regards from a sunny Buenos Aires
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Hi Andrea,

Saw and admired your h@nd in h@nd project on the web, then found my way to this blog so thought i'd say hello. I'm not a blogger, but would love to hear (offline) how you're doing. Hope your well!

JB
(cjobrown@fordham.edu)

Anonymous said...

Andrea,
I've joined the challenge as well and wonder how I'm going to fit it in! It's good to know we all have these balancing issues. I'm looking to improve my blog and comments as well. I think it will also help with comments I leave on the new ning. Staying focused and on topic there is sometimes a struggle for me. :-) I may not comment here often but I do enjoy your posts. Happy writing!