Task #3

I am feeling a bit pretentious about this task, as I sit in a Decatur coffee shop and blog about blogging. I have actually been working for about three weeks on this task and the next one, but I am finally getting around to posting my thoughts. I agree with some of the other teachers who commented that what makes the writing on blogs unique is that it is often less formal, and almost always more immediate. I suspect many people also feel a personal connection to the blogger, particularly if one follows the blogger regularly. I occasionally read blogs about sports or politics, but my blog reading is a fairly rare occurrence. I worry about the reading and writing of blogs for the same reasons I worry about texting or e-mailing: I like structured writing, and sometimes I fear all things 2.0 will negatively impact literacy and critical thinking. Yet, as John C. pointed out in one of his blog posts, good writing is good writing. Many bloggers write with clarity and precision, and certainly I am not opposed to the interactive nature of blogs. I like the idea of blogging taking a conversation outside of the classroom. Next year, I will be teaching World Religions for the first time, and I think many articles and topics could be further discussed on a blog. Furthermore, some less vocal students may voice some pretty interesting ideas if they are given time to reflect and respond. Like any other assignment, if a student took it seriously, blogging seems as if it could be a powerful tool.