Last week we launched a year-long blogging series where educators blog together weekly around a common topic or theme.<\/p>\n
Prompt #1 focused on My Blog story<\/a> and its aim was to help participants get to know each other better.<\/p>\n This is a summary post of what we’ve learned from everyone’s stories! \u00a0You’ll find links to every My Blog Story<\/a> at the bottom of the post.<\/p>\n There are lots of barriers that keep us from blogging and the ones shared with us include:<\/p>\n Yet benefits absolutely outweigh the challenges and the ones shared include:<\/p>\n Goals for participating in the #EdublogsClub included:<\/p>\n And the more experienced bloggers shared their tips!<\/p>\n Below are\u00a0quotes of our favorite tips or inspirational statements!<\/p>\n We couldn’t include all their tips so have linked their name to their posts so you can check them out.<\/p>\n Justine Hughes<\/a><\/p>\n Just jump in and enjoy. \u00a0Don’t be afraid to share your ideas. You’ll find that everyone is really supportive and encouraging, particularly if they’ve joined a challenge such as this one. \u00a0You’ll be surprised by the feedback conversations and connections that develop. \u00a0Don’t feel that it has to be an ‘academic standard’ essay-type exercise. \u00a0Think of it more as a conversation with other like minds. \ud83d\ude42<\/em><\/p>\n Jo Prestia<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m proud to say I have a little following and every now and then I get feedback. However, I don\u2019t write to get comments or praise (though it is nice!). I just write because I like it. It helps me think \u2013 in writing.<\/em><\/p>\n Michelle Pacansky-Brock<\/a><\/p>\n I have made mistakes. And I\u2019ve learned from them. But I\u2019m still here. I\u2019m still blogging. And I\u2019m still learning. And that is something I hope all educators strive to model for students.<\/em><\/p>\n Robert Schuetz<\/a><\/p>\n I started blogging with the hope of initiating some sort of revolutionary change in education. What I’ve learned is blogging is much more satisfying when I just write for myself.<\/em><\/p>\n Sue Wyatt<\/p>\n You need to become a connected educator for blogging to succeed. Read other people\u2019s blogs, leave tweets about posts you have written, and connect with other teachers who also blog.<\/em><\/p>\n Dan Gallagher<\/a><\/p>\n Keep blogging, even if you don\u2019t believe someone is reading, because you never know who is or will be reading. I have on several occasions returned to past posts to recall what I did to set up a workflow or try to remember a tool I recommended a ways back which might help one of my teachers now.<\/em><\/p>\n Damianne President<\/p>\n The advice that I would give my younger self would be to blog regularly and to engage with colleagues, the community of bloggers, and Twitter chats for ideas to blog about.<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Lyn Hilt<\/a><\/p>\n My advice for new bloggers is to write for YOU. Don\u2019t write for page views. Don\u2019t write for RTs. Write to share your ideas, to reflect, to ponder. Write to unleash your creative spirit. Write to make a difference. Schedule time in your day to write. Write every day, something, somewhere. You don\u2019t always have to click publish. Don\u2019t be discouraged if you hit a lull or encounter writer\u2019s block. I used to blog several times a month, and now I\u2019m lucky if I blog several times a year. Life happens, responsibilities shift\u2026. your blog is a space you can always call home and it will welcome you back with open arms when needed.<\/em><\/p>\n Luis<\/p>\n One of the fears of many bloggers: having posts with no comments. Most, if not, all bloggers have had blog posts that have not received a comment. Don\u2019t let this be something that demotivates you. Most of those blog posts are still read by a lot of visitors. I\u2019ve had a lot of blog posts that have not received comments but I know that they have been viewed by many visitors<\/em><\/p>\n Sue Waters<\/a><\/p>\n Make it a goal to read and comment on as many of the posts as possible. \u00a0You learn as much, if not more, by reading\/commenting as writing your posts and it helps generate ideas for things to blog about.<\/em><\/p>\n And don\u2019t forget \u2014 what is obvious to you is amazing to others<\/a>. \u00a0Don\u2019t assume others know what you know. \u00a0There is always someone who will be grateful for what you shared \u2014 even if they don\u2019t necessarily tell you.<\/em><\/p>\n Remember blogging is about connecting with others!<\/p>\n Visit the #EdublogsClub participant\u2019s posts to\u00a0leave feedback and comments on as many as you can.<\/p>\n We’ve included links to all\u00a0My Blog Story<\/a> submitted so far below to make it easier:<\/p>\nBlogging Challenges<\/h3>\n
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Benefits of Blogging<\/h3>\n
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Blogging Goals<\/h3>\n
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Blogging Tips<\/h3>\n
Don’t Forget to Comment<\/h3>\n