Jul 15 2008
How Do You Decide Who to Read?
Reading Ann Oro’s post today about using tools to follow comments got me thinking (in a non-linear kind of way) how I decide whose blog to read.
Is it just content?
It’s certainly important to me–after all, I am reading to learn and reflect on what others are saying. I appreciate practical advice on how to use 2.0 tools from people like Ann, Sue Waters, and Paul Hamilton. Other bloggers expand my understanding about the “big ideas” in learning and technology. David Warlick, David Truss, and Dina Strasser make me think.
What about design?
I must admit, some blogs make me a little crazy. I’m just not good with visual distractions like Vokis (the flapping hair in particular), animated advertisements, or really crowded sidebars. There are some pretty elegant sites out there, ones that are easy on the eyes. Dan Meyer’s blog fits this category.
The Tone
I am not sure if there is another word to describe this–is it attitude? Some blogs have a respectful presence, an ethic that builds community–Dean Shareski and Clarence Fisher come to mind. I think in part it is the way they handle new ideas and how they respond to people who comment on their blogs. I get the sense I would like to work with these folks. I bet they would make great colleagues. Some blogs are feisty, poking at the establishment, or offering up contrarian opinions. Good.
Then there are a few blogs that leave me feeling squirmy. The tone is superior, dismissive, too cool–and rude. Yes, I do read them. I have a morbid curiosity about them, I guess. What would it be like to share a staffroom with them? Would I feel safe?
Blogs I don’t (yet) read
I would love to see more blogs by classroom teachers who are not tech specialists, who are using 2.0 tools effectively in the content areas. I’d love to find blogs by drama teachers or art teachers who just blog, but don’t necessarily use technology directly. And I want to read more student blogs by kids who are not just responding to teacher prompts. I better get searching.
So, what are your criteria?
How do you choose your blogroll?
Image: I Love Books by Weeping-Willow under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic license
6 responses so far
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Welcome to the ranks of the edublogers, Jan! Looks like you are off to a fabulous start, and I don’t say that just because you mention me. I love the theme you’ve chosen.
For me, the problem isn’t one of finding and adding blogs to my blogroll. It’s keeping the list pared down to manageable proportions. There are just so many fantastic blogs out there. –Paul
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You’re right, Paul. Managing the flow is hard. I am getting better at the quick glance–so I appreciate titles and subtitles that allow me to sift the content of a post. I suspect I will soon find a threshold where I delete a blog for every new one I add…but I’m not there yet!
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Thanks Jan for writing that excellent comment on The Edublogger of what you look for in a blog theme. Definitely each are great points and you may want to think about following it up with your own post outlining those points you raised.
Sad to say I’ve the Voki with the following hair but in my defense the Voki is for the students and teachers to see how you can use them.
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Just been tweeted by Sue Waters about your blog, Jan, so thought I would wander over. Love the clean look of your blog.
Criteria for my blogroll … teachers with great ideas, teachers who give lots of practical help using web 2.0, teachers who have me questioning why I teach using technology.
On my blogroll is also a link to my class blog and on that blogroll are all the students in my class who wanted their own blog. Hope you visit some of them.
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Hi Sue,
I enjoyed visiting your blog and was really impressed with your students engagement in blogging. Are you a one-to-one school?
I would agree with your criteria for your blogroll–what I liked about your blogs is that the pedagogy behind the tools is transparent–and that’s important. I will be more consciously looking for that as I read other people’s blogs.
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I choose my blog roll by some of the same criteria you’ve laid out. The blogs I read and enjoy the most teach me either how they accomplish or learn things (Sue Waters and Bob Sprankle), how they work in the classroom (Lisa Parisi and Brian Crosby), or how they assist people in their building (Patrick Higgins and Patrick Woessner).
I’m glad to have met you this year and look forward to learning with you. You have a great start to your blog and a nice clean look.
Ann
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