Thing #4: Commenting

Commenting... does anyone really care what I have to say?  What can I contribute that is so earth shattering and important?  These are the thoughts that cross my mind when I think about commenting... right before I silence them and remember- you only live once.  So, like it or not, here I comment!

I learned today that a comment is an expression of a vote- a way to say I vote that this topic or this idea or this thread is important.  It is the Facebook equivalent of a "like", or well... a comment, which in those terms makes the concept not so intimidating.  I also was reminded that a comment is the participation in a discussion, and it is characteristic of being a responsible blogger (also a new concept to me...)

Commenting stimulates discussion and promotes a sense of community and interaction within that community.  If a blogger were to blog, and no one ever read, then the blog is nothing more than a diary never being read.  The ability to comment on other's posts allows for an interactive flow of ideas and opinions, and those who comment then find themselves within a community of bloggers.  Those who frequent the same blog are termed "neighbors."

As my initiation into the commenting community, below are the names of five blogs within our class and two within the blogosphere, which comprise my first-ever comments.

• Stephanie Freeman: I posted on her Pinterest blog for Thing #6 because I thought it was a great idea to use that website to generate ideas for the classroom.  I let her know I'll make a board too so if I see anything really cool I can share it.
• Stephanie Fortner: A thanks for sharing a link in her Thing #8 to http://bighugelabs.com/ which I can see being very useful in a classroom for making posters or presentations.
• Catherine Ericson: A thanks for the information on RSS feeds in her Thing #10 post and for sharing the top 3 blogs she follows.
• Natasha Long: Related to her concern about students having internet and computer access.  Commented on her Thing #22 on LiveBinders.
• Heather Ray: Posted a thanks on her Thing #11 for sharing about http://www.blogsearchengine.org/. I had not heard of it before.
• Simply Recipes: Noted how the Stir Fried Green Beans with Ginger and Onions recipe is great because it's quick, healthy, and can be made in small or large servings.
• RecipeGirl: Commented how the recipe for Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches is a great one to bring the crock pot out for. So many slow cooker recipes turn out looking the same, but this one looks really flavorful and different.