Objective 4 - Commenting on Colleagues

I started leaving comments on fellow ASH 23 Things blogs before I finished reading the 25 Sample Blogs. I had a difficult time leaving meaningful comments. Once I read through the 25 Sample Blogs I understood what was being said and left better comments. I know some ASH 23 Things participants were very excited to get a comment on their blog. I want to leave quality comments and not leave anyone out (there is that Sacred Heart quality shining through), but this takes time. I still have not made it through everyone’s blog and I do not want them to feel neglected – there are only so many hours in a day!

If we, adults, feel this excited about feedback, I am beginning to understand how students feel. I have experienced collecting an assignment from students and the next period they want to know what I think about their work. I know I have said something like “are you kidding.” But there are adults in the ASH 23 Things project that want t know if I read their blog minutes after they posted it. I think it is just human nature to want immediate feedback. In this day and age this has come to be the norm for many experiences.

I read and belong to many online learning communities, almost all of which relate to education, science, and/or technology. However, up until now I have rarely commented online. I am passionate about learning. I love the feeling of discovering something new or validating something in which I believe. I even comment to myself as I read. It is a risk to put your thoughts and feelings “out there”; I think I have the same insecurities I try to help students overcome. This project is helping me rethink how I approach my online learning.