Thing 11

I commented on the following blogs:  New Learning is Fun,  LambUnit blog and Comments by Chris.  I really don't like leaving comments, hence why I did the minimum required for this activity. For me, it takes the anonymity out of using the Internet.  I understand the purpose - to connect and build a community of learners, however it is just not my thing.  Maybe I will get more comfortable with it as I progress through the Things.  

When I received my first comment it was pretty exciting.  Kind of like getting a letter in the mail - but not knowing who it was from until you opened it!  Weird, I guess - but still a little exciting :)  I think commenting in online communities is is kind of like having access to your own personal support system.  You can use those contacts to ask questions, build relationships and collaborate ideas.  For this very same reason, students who share their writing online with others can collaborate ideas, ask and answer questions, form relationships and peer edit.  I think it would also be beneficial - due to the fact that many of my students can't drive to work together after school - if they were involved in an online community they would be able to receive feedback almost instantly from several different individuals.