Reflection

This semester’s assignment of Blogging was definitely a new experience for me. I have never before created a blog, let alone try to maintain one for an extended period of time. Personally, I tend not to even spend much time reading other people’s blogs as I find it difficult to find credible sources. It’s mainly developed from someone else’s opinion on a certain subject matter. To me, it makes more sense just to gather the information myself and form my own opinion. Even if I am reading many blogs that comment on a particular product that I am contemplating purchasing, and I want to learn about what other people feel about the product, I still take that information with a grain of salt.
Since this was my first time creating a blog, and I haven’t spent much time reading blogs in the past, I could probably improve the way I delivered my content. Simply by looking at other people’s blogs within the class, I notice that there is almost a certain script or blueprint that people seem to follow. I approached as if I just wanted to speak to anyone that was accessing my blog. My attempt was to make it very informal and make a few points, almost as if the reader was standing next to me and I wanted to tell him/her something.
I definitely could have maintained the blog a bit better as well. I do not think that I am a big fan of blogging, but I probably could have created some more interactivity within my blog so that the end users would have a richer experience while accessing my page. Outside of updating information more often, I probably should have added more links, videos, pictures, etc. that would entice people to return and spend more time on my page. My very basic format did not do much to enhance my readers’ experience.
Blogs could be a good learning tool for students if they do not have access to an on-line classroom type module similar to Blackboard. It will allow the students to share and discuss certain topics in an asynchronous environment while teaching the students how to get involved in discussions, as well as facilitate one. If the class does have access to Blackboard, or something similar, the discussions within that module are much more elaborate and beneficial in my opinion.
All in all it was a good learning experience for me. Having never taken part in this type of activity before, allows me to formulate my own opinion based on experience, rather than perception of what I may see/hear. Any time that you have an opportunity to try something new, whether it turns out positive or negative, it is beneficial simply from the learning experience.