This is now a moderated blog. All comments will be held until Salas has read them and verified if it is a suitable posting.
There are some rules to your comments:
1. Students must approve your username with me first (since you are getting credit for this as a class assignment, I need to know who is posting). Only appropriate usernames will be allowed.
2. Do not include your personal information or personal information of anyone else (phone number, address, names of anyone).
3. Proofread your comment for spelling and grammatical errors.
4. Use appropriate language for school.
5. Please do not use “instant messaging” abbreviations. Use complete sentences and proper use of words/terms.
6. Be sure to read the problem assignment – there are requirements about number of sentences on many of them…incomplete responses will be sent back to you.
Comments deemed inappropriate, incomplete, or off-topic will not be approved for posting.
Thank you!
How to Comment Like a King—or Queen
By Vicki Davis
The following entry on techniques for effective blog commenting was excerpted from coolcatteacher.blogspot.com.
1. Write a meaningful comment.
“Yeah” or “Right on” may make the author feel good, but of more interest to conversation participants is, “Why do you think it is right on?” If you don’t care, don’t comment. But if something resonates with you, and you have something to share, do it!
Sometimes authors (like me) feel like they are only posting to themselves. You can actually influence those you admire with a meaningful comment—blog writers change their opinions all the time. You can also reinforce opinions you agree with when you have real-world examples.
Remember this: Most bloggers read the blogs of those who comment on their posts. I want to know more about the person. I want to see who they are, what motivates them, and what they are writing.
2. Don’t be afraid to comment.
It is common for a beginner to think, “Well, I won’t comment until I know more.” You have an important perspective (see my post, “The Power of a Newbie“) that should be shared.
Beginners who comment will receive the feedback that will keep them blogging, push them to excellence, and will maybe even make them one of the Technorati Top 100 bloggers of tomorrow. I honestly believe that there is someone reading this post who will far surpass me and will do amazing things, but it all starts with a comment.
3. Teach commenting.
Children have a need to converse and will improve their performance when people comment on their work.
4. Remember the power of words.
Each of us, as an educator, has the power to build up or the power to tear down. Oh, the harm we can cause in our classrooms by a misplaced word.
I believe that there are people who are so abrasive and unhappy with themselves that they retreat to the Internet to wreck havoc on unsuspecting souls.
5. Criticize Kindly.
Here are my guidelines before countering a blogger’s perspective:
- Will it make a difference? Is this a blog that encourages meaningful debate?
- Is my perspective already shared in the comments?
If so, you can echo the comments of others. If not, I feel that I must post if it is a topic of meaning. - Start by genuinely complimenting the blogger in some way and point out where you do agree.
- Point out each area of disagreement and why in a brief, non-rantish, professional manner.
- NEVER: Be sarcastic, rant prolifically, curse, or personally attack a person. Commenting is part of this global conversation. People who make meaningful comments understand that the Internet is about discussing our common concerns and coming up with solutions in a more expeditious and helpful manner that does not exclude anyone.
Vicki Davis runs the Cool Cat Teacher blog. Visit it at www.coolcatteacher.blogspot.com.
