My blog became a place for me to download (my brain) of information of interest that passed over my desk, came through my email or arrived in my Google alerts, it is a "filter blog" not a "reflection blog". Today I visited OTBlogs.org again (created by Joan G. UofA MScOT graduate next month) and this time I started to read a range of other people's blogs and posts and felt compelled to comment.
I think this is an interesting developmental stage in becoming a blogger, it is becoming a blog commenter. As an extroverted person I can easily spend my day filling my blog with information I find interesting, now it is time for some reflection and interaction... I'm growing up as a blogger!
I'd love to know what developmental stages other bloggers have noted in themselves? Did you start as a commenter and move to your own blog? Did you start a blog straight away? How do you feel when someone comes and comments? What if someone doesn't agree with you?
VirtualOT
- Anita Hamilton
- Australia
- I am an Australian occupational therapist, educator and researcher. I have worked as an OT in mental health, vocational rehabilitation and a private surgical hospital. I am passionate using online technology to enhance the knowledge and growth of the occupational therapy profession. In my PhD research I am looking at the role of online technologies in information management and knowledge transfer in occupational therapy. Views expressed and stories shared on this blog are my opinion and do not represent views of my employer or professional registration body.
10 comments:
I started blogging and then started commenting. I have found so many blogs on topics that I find interesting. I do get excited when people comment on my blog just the same as when people retweet me on Twitter. You just like to know that someone in the blogosphere is reading what you write.
I like the fact that you also blogged then commented! I wonder if it takes a certain amount of courage to comment?
Hmm -= interesting questions. I started as a blogger and then started commenting. Like you I started mostly using my blog as a way to stash ideas. And my blog (which I consider a mini blog) and twitter (microblog) are never much more than a tag for what I'm thinking about, so when someone does comment or retweet I'm always amazed that someone is actually reading my stuff. In terms of kinds of comments - well, I think maybe as a profession we need to get better at skillful critical analysis and maybe one place where that starts is in these small ways ...
I am a baby blogger, almost newly minted. Like others I began as a reader, then started blogging, and have only now started to comment selectively. I find it a bit ironic that I have no problem writing about my own personal experiences but I am very self-conscious when commenting on someone else's. And it's 2x ironic that I hesitate to make comments while I get so excited every time someone takes the time to comment on my posts!
As for your other question, I have not yet had negative feedback on my blog. I know it will happen one day. I only hope that when it does the poster is constructive. Otherwise, what can you do?
Thanks for your comments Susan and OT SweetPea. Having visited your blogs I know that both of you talk about things of personal meaning in your blogs, so it is interesting that you also took your time to become a "commenter".
OTSweetPea was a reader, then a blogger, then a commenter. Three stages!
Hi Anita,
I've fallen behind in my blog reading! Life after grad school is an enjoyable adjustment.
You might like this research article on blogger demographics even though it's so painfully dated (06).
http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2006/Bloggers/01-Summary-of-Findings.aspx?r=1
Off for a bike ride without homework fleeting through my head. Back for more blogging later. Thanks for the threads.
Hi,
I am a fairly new blogger. I began in mid-July. I have been a commenter off-and-on over the last year. I especially enjoy commenting or helping people who have children with special needs. Since I have been a pediatric OT for 15 years, I feel that the least I could do is be helpful to those parents out there looking for answers. http://ot4specialtots.blogspot.com
Hi Joan, that Pew research was fascinating! Thanks! I really liked this information as it pertains to this conversation (commenting on other people's blogs)
Bloggers often use blog features that enhance community and usability.
Community-focused blogging sites LiveJournal and MySpace top the list of blogging sites used in our sample, together garnering close to a quarter (22%) of all bloggers. Features such as comments, blogrolls, friends lists, and RSS feeds on these and other blogging sites facilitate a sense of community and offer readers additional ways to receive and interact with the blog’s content.
* 87% of bloggers allow comments on their blog.
* 41% of bloggers say they have a blogroll or friends list on their blog.
* Only 18% of bloggers offer an RSS feed of their blog’s content.
(Source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2006/Bloggers/01-Summary-of-Findings.aspx?r=1)
I haven't my new blog but yes I'm starting to put comments on blogs but I am still unable to write like professional blogger I think my skills will be improved after created my blog.
What's say ?
Student of occupational therapy university
The last comment by Student of occupational therapy at Centennial college made me think "how does a professional blogger write" and "are there any rules"?
I have read that some professional writers hate blogs because people who supposedly can't write have a forum. I believe that ALL people have the right to write and the important things to consider are:
1)write to be understood,
2)write with the audience in mind (but be mindful of others reading),
3) write using evidence,
4) write to filter information, inform others or reflect on one's own learning.
Write for others or just write for you.
I think that the internet has become a place to spread hatred and bigotry, and I don't like that aspect... but, then again, once people have said it at least you can address it, maybe there is a role to play for that type of writing.
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