Do I read blogs – yes, but not on a regular basis. It’s kind of like exercise. If I get in the habit it’s great. When I don’t do it for awhile, it’s hard to get started and caught up again.

Do I have a blog – Yes, 2. MST PORTAL is my blog I use at work and MST Literacy is a blog I use for a grad class I teach at SJFC .

Other thoughts – I’m still trying to figure out “how to” blog. This is definitely a learning process for me and I’m in the beginning stages.

Suggestions – Start with the end in mind. What is your goal for blogging? How can the blog help reach the goal? Find someone good who can help you out. I did!

* What was your first perception of blogs or bloggers?
Very excited. I enjoy conversations, writing, fresh ideas and great design. I started finding all of this in blogs. I think I may have come across the notion of blogging in the middle of 2006. I also love podcasts and podcasting, and a couple I was subscribed to had companion blogs. That’s when I put the 2 and 2 together and came up with my own.

* Do you currently read blogs?
Oh yes. Lots. Thank you Google Reader.

* Do you have a blog?
Uh huh. Two on the go. My current challenge is to network these two blogs into difference niches I guess I want to maintain the individual ‘voice’ or tone of each blog and allow each one to grow in its own way into its particular community.

* Other thoughts/feelings? (it’s okay, let it out)
Blogging really, really has almost entirely eliminated my former time-poor academic whining. It’s paradoxical really. Blogging means not just writing your own thing, but reading others, communicating and reflecting back in your blog(s) … conversation right? I blog daily, though I don’t often post as frequently. So the academic formerly known as ‘too busy’ now has a body of writing which is reflective of practice and indicative of some pretty good research, if I say so myself. I’m developing a profile in the niche, and I’m getting invited to contribute and present at gatherings and conferences. That’s nice.
* What are your suggestions for those new to blogging and looking to get started soon? (For those already blogging.) Learn how to write a great opening sentence whether or not it contains tags that search engines will find. Tag your posts, so get a del.icio.us account. Check out other blogs in your niche area and comment. Get known, and play nicely with your fellow bloggers. Enjoy the journey.

And at least Darren has not least us down — as he is his normal witty self! That makes us all laugh. I also think every teacher should read Darren’s posts on why teachers should blog; they are excellent posts. With Darren’s schedule of one post for each day in November which is totally out of his normal schedule I think we should be laying beats on how he copes? Peace

I have expanded on my comments for advice to new bloggers in my latest post because it was really hard to give a lot of advice in a short comment – aquaculturepda.edublogs.org/2007/11/11/my-advice-on-being-a-more-effective-blogger – perhaps now Darren feels inspired he might like to do a similar post of his tips (as he needs to write ?20 more posts for the month).

Sue

Word.

* What was your first perception of blogs or bloggers?

I used to think that bloggers were fanatics, self-absorbed, and a few bars short of a full signal – if you know what I mean. Only in actually becoming a blogger have I realized that I was correct.

* Do you currently read blogs?

Yes. I currently read about 150 blogs. I’ve managed to keep up fairly well (and have learned a ton) but may need to put my aggregator on a diet soon.

* Do you have a blog?

Yes. http://drapestakes.blogspot.com/

* Other thoughts/feelings? (it’s okay, let it out)

I think that every teacher should blog. OK, I said it.

* What are your suggestions for those new to blogging and looking to get started soon? (For those already blogging.)

1. Don’t let your blog rule your life. Maintain a schedule, yes, but don’t go out of control. Doing so will only mean you’ll probably fizzle out shortly.

2. Read, don’t just write.

3. Comment everywhere.

4. Learn and have fun.

Peace out.

DD

This post is brilliant! I love how you used it to encourage your participants to express their
thoughts and to examine where it all fit for them. And congratulations to your participants for sharing their thoughts because reading it has been very informative. Would love to see you follow up with a post?

So since you have asked your readers to add their thoughts here are mine:

* What was your first perception of blogs or bloggers?
Well I was first introduced to blogs in March, 2006 but did not really get what blogs were about. Looking back part of the issue probably related to the fact that the people showing me
blogs did not recongise themselves the power of blogs so I was only shown a limited selection of blogs and also was not shown the true key to blogging which is how to locate blogs worth reading and how to subscribe to blogs. It was not until this year when I was shown how to subscribe to blogs and why blogs are important that I finally got it. After awhile of reading other people’s blogs I then began to appreciate the value of blogging myself. One thing that did help me relate to blogging was a great video that explains the importance of blogging (have the longer version on my wiki).

* Do you currently read blogs?
Yes and constantly feel sorry for the lonely blogs so can’t help myself and keep adding more.

* Do you have a blog?
http://aquaculturepda.edublogs.org/

* Other thoughts/feelings (it’s okay, let it out)
ROFL — ulitmately blogging is not about readers (although that is nice) but is part of your learning process. Whatever works for you do it – I started out as a podcaster because I could relate to it better – then I added a wiki because not everything I did fitted into a podcast – then a blog (been blogging since April 2007)

* What are your suggestions for those new to blogging and looking to get started soon? (For those already blogging.)

Start by subscribing to blogs and as you get confortable commenting on people’s posts. I
find co-mment a great tool for tracking my comments on other peoples post – if the blogger responds can then choose to comment back.

Based on the number of blogs I read you need to make my job simple – I am a speed reader. Make
your post well laid out. Short paragraphs. Line between each paragraph. Make the first sentence of each paragraph grab my attention and make me want to read the entire post. Insert a picture in each post when possible. If you add any embeds such as videos, slideshares etc make sure that you make it very clear you have added them (ideally embed and add a link back to the original video) as most Feed Readers do not show the embedded items so it looks like the post is empty.

Most of all enjoy – fit it in with your lifestyle and what you want to do

I just wanted to endorse what Brian has been trying to teach you. Blogging is truly an amazing place.

DD