I've been
thinking about how much I have changed as an educator in the last 13 months. Terje's post from Just for a Month about her online writing fears really hit home for
me. I remember being scared to death to start a Google account so I could
comment on blogs. It seems so silly now but it didn’t feel silly then. I still
wish I could motivate just one of my co-professionals at school to leap into
the blogosphere with me. So far, no luck. I completely get that blogging is a personal choice, not something I would try to coerce or guilt someone into. Still, I
would like to encourage teachers to take this powerful leap. I tried to think
back about what specifically prompted me to start blogging. For me, it was
random. I found Two Writing Teachers by chance, just a few weeks prior to the
2011 SOL Challenge. Ruth’s words about starting a blog resonated with me and
that was all it took. What pulled you to start blogging? Do teachers you work with blog also?
It does seem so silly that I TOO was VERY hesitant to start a blog / share with anyone other than my grad students.
ReplyDeleteSOME of it is the fear of the unknown (I think) and some of it is the fear of sharing in such a public way. Like anything we do, it gets easier and easier. I must admit I will miss this all next week!
I was led into blogging by a colleague who is an IT native. Whenever I needed anything done that I saw as a bit adventurous (such as upload a document to a wiki)she would stand beside me and talk me through it. Narissa's mantra is 'I won't fish for you but I will teach you how to fish.' So don't give up, continue to model and enthuse about it, I am sure there is someone round the corner waiting to join you.
ReplyDeleteI was working on my CAS. My mentor professor asked me to blog about my final project as I worked on it for the better part of a year. Each step I took in my classroom, I blogged about putting up videos, photos, and examples of the kid's work. During that time I stumbled upon "The Two Writing Teachers" and joined in for the March SOL (3 years ago). So...then I was keeping up with two blogs. Now I have a classroom blog I write for several days per week and I continue to write for SOL. Like you, I have begged other teachers to take part. I have learned so much from other writers and myself. So far...only one has been willing to take the challenge.
ReplyDeleteTo live a life as a writer is what forced me into the blogging world. I was a lurker, just watching, never thinking I could do this. Ruth was very persuasive in her posts, so I jumped in and have not regretted one moment. Can't say I have much luck convincing anyone else to try it, but that doesn't mean I don't try.
ReplyDeleteI was like you last year Diana. I stumbled upon the TWT and Ruth's "Today is the day to start a blog day" spoke to me and I jumped in not really know what to expect. Over spring break and the end of the challenge last year, I helped my mom set up a blog. She wrote for herself, but this year she is participating in the Solsc. Before the end of the school year last year, I shared my blog and writing with two colleagues -- still not wanting to share with everyone even though it was on the world wide web! -- and those two colleagues also started blogs and are participating this year too! It's been awesome! I think the key is to share your blog, your writing, open up and let them 'lurk' and spy and see!
ReplyDeleteFor me it was one of my grad school professors, Stephanie Jones, who inspired me to start blogging. That was over six years ago when blogging wasn't as mainstream as it is now. I'm so thankful she gave us a nudge in her class.
ReplyDeleteI love the Choice Literacy site - and I have "been thinking" about writing. So when I saw the March 2012 Slice of Life Challenge on Choice Literacy I just did it. I started a blog and I have been writing this month. I can't even begin to say what it has meant to me (although I am going to try to before this week is out). Afraid? Yes! I still haven't put my name on my own blog! But that is coming soon, too.
ReplyDeleteI, too, credit TWT for getting me started blogging. I have kept up with their blog for a few years now, and I started blogging about 2 years ago, but I didn't post to the SOLC or anything. I told just a few people about it, and that was it. Then last year I started blogging with my class. I posted a few SOL stories and linked them to TWT, but I still wasn't going full throttle with it. I was sporadic with my blogging- on fire one week, then nothing the next. It wasn't until this March that I decided to take the plunge! I would also like to see other friends and colleagues blogging, and I have even encouraged one friend who started, but has since stopped blogging due to time constraints. It's not for everyone, but it's done wonders for me as a writer! ;)
ReplyDeleteMy sister got me started with blogging. I had no idea how much of an impact it would have on me as an educator. I have my undergraduates create book blogs for our Children's Literature course in order for them to gain familiarity with blogging and in hopes that at least some of them might blog with students and/or for their personal professional development.
ReplyDeleteDear Diana,
ReplyDeleteSeeing my name mentioned in your post was a honor for me. Thank you. My blogging history started when I got frustrated because I was expected to produce weekly class newsletters at school. My sister suggested blogging and casually mentioned that she had been blogging for 3! years. My own sister kept a secret from me for such a long time. I kept my writing blog a secret from her for 3 months. The class blog was a closed blog so only parents could read it. Then I started "bothering" another teacher and librarian with the blogging idea. One waited 1 year and the other 2 years before they started. The reason I joined SOL challenge last year was because a new and young colleague publicly spoke about it and I wanted to prove something to myself. Writing a closed class blog is simple. You know what I felt/feel about public writing. Keep speaking about the benefits of blogging and eventually someone will take the bite.
Write, write, write,
Terje
I am very glad that all of you do write. I am learning so much from being a lariat of this Challenge. I am learning to keep my eyes open for topics to write about, and I am learning a bit about eh people want to read, too. Sometimes I try a topic just to see if it "sells". Writing is he work, but it is fun!
ReplyDeleteThat is so wonderful that you found Two Writing Teachers just in time to get really comfortable in this community. PERFECT. I don't remember this community without a slice from you :)
ReplyDeleteBonnie
I really just started, but have been following people for a very long time. I especially loved it when Carol blogs about her boys and literacy. I loved when she did slice of life challenge last year. I started following Ruth and Stacey. The biggest problem was setting it up...I still haven't mastered everything and I'm kind of annoyed that it is hard for me to comment on my Word press...so I'm using the google mostly. I'm a lit coach also, and I'm not convincing any friends yet...though they seem to be lurking around :)
ReplyDeleteI started because I found TWT and began reading their blog. At about the same time I was starting to feel like I was no longer in control of my destiny as an educator, this helped me feel like I was being heard again. Even when no one was reading, I was putting it out there and forcing myself to reflect. I am so glad I did.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I was scared to death to start my blog. I began last year in March. It was a struggle to write, but this year has been so different. It is true, the more you practice, the easier it gets. I love this writing community and I love writing. TWT got me started and I hope to continue! Thanks for sharing. Happy Slicing! :)
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