Thing 4

Commenting helps create a sense of community and interaction because you can truly participate in a dialogue with others from around the world. I think that reading and commenting on a blog can do wonders for both the reader and the blogger. It may very well be that the person leaving a comment makes the blogger look at things from a new perspective. The same can happen with a person who reads a post on a blog.

The reading from The Blue Skunk Blog made a great point about not being a troll when commenting on a post. It said, “Agree, disagree, add, or just say thanks, but make it heart-felt. Make it relevant. Don’t be a troll.” I think that this applies to all types of social media. Thinking about some of the comments that I see on some posts from Facebook, especially on posts that have to do with hot topic issues, there is always that one person who is rude and hostile in their comment(s). It is important to remember that words do have power and that one should be careful and thoughtful when crafting a comment. Give your opinion but remember that there is value in the opinion of others too.

I also liked technique number 2 and 3 from ProBlogger’s 10 Techniques to get more comments on your blog. Number 2 is ask questions and number 3 is be open ended. I think that asking questions lets readers know that you are inviting them to participate in a dialogue with you. I think that rule number 3, be open ended, goes hand in hand with asking questions. If you say all there is to say then you don’t leave any room for discussion.

I have selected the following blogs and left a comment on each:

Lynn Torres: Prufrock and Roll. I commented on Lynn’s Thing number 2 because I was really impressed with the fact that she has maintained some kind of blog since 2006. I am not a blogger so this type of assignment is hard for me.

Esther Yum: Ester’s 23 Things. I commented on Esther’s Thing number 3 because she had similar ideas as to how we can use our blog to communicate with parents and keep them posted on what we are doing in class.

Emily Ellison: Emily’s 23 Things. I commented on Emily’s Thing number 1 because we both thought Habit 6 would be the most difficult for us.

Sheilah Queener: Miss Queener’s 23 Things. I commented on Sheilah’s Thing number 2 because we are both new to the blogging world.

Joshua Jones: Mr. Jones 23 Things. I commented on Joshua’s Thing number 2 because I loved that he was very matter of fact with his thoughts. He didn’t beat around the bush and just write what he thought people wanted to hear. He gave his honest opinion.  

HowlRound: I commented on a post that talked about using Drama to teach social skills to youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders. This type of work means a lot to me because my focus as a teaching artist has been working with youth with complex disabilities.

TYA/USA Next Blog: I commented on a post about Homosexuality in Theatre for Young Audiences. This is a hot topic in the theatre world and the post gave a very insightful look at the idea that if a play contains a gay character that it doesn’t have to take center stage in the narrative.