I Like Blogging

 I'm enjoying this process a lot more than I initially thought I would. It's really refreshing to be able to share my thoughts and ideas however I want, in whatever format makes sense to me. I like the optional discussion board as well, but I prefer this, because I can also engage when and how I best see fit. I'm also really enjoying logging in to see if anyone has interacted with my blog. I look forward to the comments, and I like knowing that I'm putting out a little of content that people find interesting. 

Side note: I just finished taking the course on Open Educational Resources, and we spent a lot of time discussing renewable assignments, which, if you're unfamiliar, are assignments that exist to add value back into the world in some way. Whereas a lot of assignments are completed, graded, and discarded, renewable assignments continue on past their due date. I really loved the idea, so it's cool to have this blog as a living example. 

Comments

  1. The Tired TeacherMay 22, 2022 at 4:53 PM

    This is a great example of a renewable assignment. I have found blogging to be a fun way to reflect on the content I have interacted with in class. I cannot wait to start the new school year and figure out a way to incorporate this into my classroom. Do you have any ideas?

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    1. Rachel WellmanMay 22, 2022 at 5:19 PM

      Are you familar with TeenInk? It's a blogging platform specifically for high school (could probably be appropriate for most middle schoolers) and it's really great. I recommend checking it out. Not sure what your discipline is, but you could have a standing weekly assignment where they reflect on how your content presented itself in their regular lives thorughout the week. That might work for all subjects, actually.

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  2. Trev WilliamsMay 25, 2022 at 4:25 PM

    I also completed Open Ed last semester and learned a ton! It will be cool to see how our knowledge grows throughout the semester and how our blogging improves week after week.

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    1. Rachel WellmanMay 28, 2022 at 2:05 PM

      Definitely. I feel like I am still trying to find my rhythm as a blogger. It hasn't yet become a habit for me, but I would like for it to be something that I actively plan for versus just trying to shove it into my schedule, which is how it has been this week. Last week, I was very intentional about getting posts up early in the week, and I enjoyed that experience a lot more.

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  3. Cohl MillerMay 25, 2022 at 5:41 PM

    I love the idea of renewable assignments; It's a great way to frame our blogs. Something I've always really appreciated about teaching art is that students are far more likely to hold onto their past work, display and share it. I find it really reinvigorating to think of our blogs in this manner as well.

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    1. Rachel WellmanMay 28, 2022 at 2:07 PM

      Hi Cohl! I think it's a really cool idea as well, and if I were still in the classroom, I would be actively trying to figure out how to make assignments more renewable. I think I kinda was doing it in the classroom when I would display student work products, but I never really figured out a way to make them truly interactive. For me, framing our blogs in this way has really increased my motivation to write.

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  4. The WeaveMay 26, 2022 at 4:30 AM

    I, too, have enjoyed blogging more that I anticipated. I have mentioned it before, that I enjoy the less formal communication method of just putting it all out there and seeing what sticks, and what interests others who visit my blog. Sometimes I am inspired and sometimes just sitting down and starting a stream of consciousness helps me to get it all out, if that makes sense. After dumping it all out, I clean it up and find a central theme or focus so I don't just sound like I am rambling on and on.

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    1. Rachel WellmanMay 28, 2022 at 2:09 PM

      It totally makes sense! I try to organize my stuff coherently, but I also think the beauty of blogging is that it can really be a reflection of where you are in your process. So if I sit down and write something and it doesn't totally make sense, I'm still going to publish it, because for me, that's just evidence of actively working to make something make sense.

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  5. Michelle F.May 26, 2022 at 7:30 AM

    I'm joining the merriment of enjoyment of blogging, I honestly didn't see myself ever doing this. I'm even looking into a blog type format for an interactive forum for work when individuals have questions on processes and procedures and providing quick how to's when needed. Who knows where this can lead

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    1. Rachel WellmanMay 28, 2022 at 2:12 PM

      I'm really into it, which I love, because I was pretty deficit mindset the first week and didn't think I would enjoy the process. I love the idea of a blog type interactive format for work. A survey would get the same job done, but I think that a blog has more of a feel of an established community, and feels more welcoming than just sending a question off into the ether.

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