Thing 11

Online Comments: What I Like
I enjoy the exchange of ideas and insight that comes with a well maintained and monitored blog. I have learned from people I don't even know in a way that would previously have been impossible. The many different perspectives that I have experienced from these people has been a valuable asset to my learning. I also enjoy the informal atmosphere of an online exchange. While good, concise writing is a key component to getting your point across, you can also do very well even if your writing skills are not your strength.

Online Comments: What I Don't Like
I despise/loathe/hate/resent the Grammar and Spelling Police who insist on correcting minor flaws in another's writing. It is simply not necessary to remind someone of the correct usage of to/too/two, or ensure that next time they will use the personal possessive form of the word properly, or that they spelled the word "salient" wrong. These people need to get over themselves and focus on the topic of the discussion. I also get frustrated with the self-promoters/spammers who try to get you to click on their links - they prey on those who are not internet savvy.

It is a nice feeling to get a comment on something you've written. It is important for people to continue to comment on topics of their choosing in order to encourage the healthy discourse I referenced in the "What I Like" portion above, and to ensure that the ideas that people are posting don't just sit there, unless that is the intent of the author.

Most students are already connected in some way (Facebook, MySpace, etc.) and the commenting idea is not new to them. Indeed, it is as natural to them as writing thank-you notes is to my mother. I think that the challenge for students who post their writing publicly, or even within the confines of a classroom, is that these students need to be prepared to take criticism, develop a thicker skin, turn criticism into a positive thing, and learn how to deliver criticisms in a positive manner. That is where the teacher as facilitator comes in - we need to provide students with the skills and knowledge to successfully navigate the internet in a safe and effective way.