Oct 3, 2012

Week 1: Blogging

This is my first posting ever, and I am thankful that I get to experience new things.

The last time I kept a diary was .... a very long time ago.  I am not a big writer and I have stayed away from blogging.  I am doing it now as part of course requirements, which I think is a good thing.  I saw one of the TED presentations the other day.  It was about stepping out of your comfortable world.  Living in the times when it is almost impossible to find something that is not tailored for you,  we are deprived of opportunities to learn something new.  I am now given the opportunity to learn how to blog and how I can use blog in my teaching.

Creating a blog page was rather smooth and painless, but I think I need to learn by doing how to maintain my blog page.  It is a reflective blog, so the primary purpose of my writing is my own reflection.  I know by experience that I can clarify what I am thinking by writing.  However, I am not doing it in my diary book this time; I am doing it on the Internet.  My instructor and colleagues are going to read it.  I may also have other readers,too.  At this point, I am not at all used to the idea of somebody reading what I am writing here without my knowing it.

I will learn one way or the other, and that's what stepping out of the comfortable zone is all about.

Sam
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8 comments:

  1. Robert Elliott10/5/12, 2:03 PM

    Hi Sam- Yes I agree it is difficult yet important to step outside your comfort zone now and again. Blogging is different then journal writing in that there can be a bigger audience, even the WWW. The good news is it can be private as well if you set the settings that way. I keep a private blog too I share with only my family. -Robert

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  2. Bernie10/5/12, 5:38 PM

    Hello Osamu,

    Are you Japanese? If so, do you know about Ibunka Project? I regularly take part in it. It connects many schools which exchange experiences about education, culture and social issues.

    I started a blog two years ago, but found the task difficult to carry on. I think I'll begin another one again.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown10/5/12, 11:53 PM

      Hi, Bernie,

      Yes, I am Japanese, but I didn't know about the project. I quickly googled it and learned a bit about the project. It looks like a great opportunity. I was surprised to learn it has been around more than 10 years.

      Actually, I tried a similar thing, though on a much smaller scale, last semester with my high school students. They had an opportunity to hold asynchronous discussions with Taiwanese students. However, it did not work well, partly because I just started it without careful planning. Another problem was the low level of English ability and low level of confidence of the students.

      I am just curious to know more about your experience with Ibunka Project. Is it mainly for university students? Do they make the posting during the class time, or do they do it on their own? -Sam

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    2. Bernie10/6/12, 5:44 AM

      Hi Sam,
      Most of the schools taking part are universities, but mine has always been high school. Every student has an account with credentials to log in. There are topics posted for some periods and students interact online when they are free. But sometimes live chats are organized. For more information, sent a mail to Masahito Watanabe (wata33@gmail.com).

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  3. Mrs Kelemen10/5/12, 11:42 PM

    Hello Sam,

    It seems to me that we show similarities, as many things new for us. But do not worry too much, challenges will bring us wonderful experiences.

    Good luck to you,
    Csilla

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    Replies
    1. Unknown10/6/12, 12:06 AM

      Thank you for the encouraging comment, Csilla.

      Yes, we are all in it together. It is just good to know I have someone like you who share the same concerns. I believe I can enjoy the challenges and learn a lot through this course because I have wonderfully supportive classmates. -Sam

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  4. Unknown10/7/12, 8:10 AM

    Hi Sam,
    Like you I also felt some apprehension at the idea of opening my thoughts to so many people but I looked at the bright side of it and realized that this is an opportunity for me to know other people, other cultures but also to make people know about my country, my people, my culture. I know men are not really keen on writing but I'm convinced you'll end up liking it with all these amazing people around.
    Colomba

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  5. Samsmaran10/7/12, 3:15 PM

    Hi Sam,

    I too had the similar feeling that it was after a very long time I prepared a sort of diary as I prepared the first post for my blog. Yes practice makes us perfect. We will learn many more features of blogging as we continue with our course.

    All the best

    kinnari

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