I posed a similar question in my class discussion and got “feedback” that I want to hang onto. Blogs are often tauted as a means for commentary and assessment. Yet, the benefits of blogging for the sake of journaling or personal reflection can become lost in the process of seeking feedback. While I am motivated by the eyes that may one day read this, I was reminded that there are other reasons – beyond seeking feedback – that make blogging a “meaningful” pursuit. Therefore, to answer my own question . . . “yes” and here is why . . .
My original proposal to the class:
“…what makes a blog more meaningful than a personal learning journal is that the output is shared (and potentially assessed) within a larger community. When we were introduced to writing our own blogs at NYU, we were also given feeds to other “edubloggers” via a blogroll provided by our instructor. We set up accounts on Bloglines.com to track the posts of other professionals in the field. What an eye opening experience! I was amazed at the care and thought of those who regularly maintained blogs about their professional experiences.
I was inspired to prepare my blog with the same thought and care – you never know who might be reading. Unlike jotting thoughts down in a hand written journal, your words and thoughts in your blog can have real reach. The thought that someone else could see my thoughts made me all the more determined to prepare well thought out commentary.
The process became even more meaningful as I began to see others were actually reading my posts. I began to really feel part of a “community” contributing and sharing ideas … If a blogger posts and no one reads it, does it have as much meaning? Maybe, but it won’t be as much of a motivator for the future – but, that is another chapter.”
Here is the response I want to save and ponder:
“Well, Jennifer, a blog can be meaningful even if no one reads it, at least right away. Why?
1. You might get responses much later.
2. You might refashion your initial ideas from the blog into a paper.
3. You might use your blog ideas in a later class.
4. You might die and people discover your blog and repost it. Your live it relived. This may sound impossible, but it might happen with those in your profession or my your family members who want to remember you. There is a guy who had a pub in 16th century England and he had a daily diary of the pub life for like 20-30 years. Someone has taken this diary and out out one story each day. In effect, his life is being relived and replayed. It could happen to you.
5. You could make new contacts and friends with your blog.
6. You could see themes in your blog and gain insights that way.
7. Your blog could lead to a book. In fact, there is a service to create books from blogs.
8. You might not want feedback on your blog if ideas are tentative or ill formed.
9. You might do a blog on a blog–a summary of your blog ideas.
10. You blog might be something you are creating for your kids to see your thoughts when you were young.
Anyway, you do not need to always think you need feedback on your blog to be successful. Why do we all feel that is so important? There are many other reasons to have a blog. The feedback thing has held us back since instructors do not have time for it and if they tried to give feedback to all students on every blog post, they would die. In a face to face class, an instructor gives feedback to what–3-4 people on their ideas and the others get none or share with their peers. Now with blogs and online classes all of a sudden, there is an expectation that everyone will get feedback on everything they write. That is impossible. The permanency of the text is great for reflection but a problem for those who now want or expect feedback on everything they do.”