Well, here’s my final post in the best professional learning experience I’ve ever undertaken – my reflections on using Twitter™ to build blog readership in response to the final Edublogs™ Kick Start Your Blogging Challenge.
Flickr CC Image: 'Yahoo Censorship Still Sucks, Part Four'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51035555243@N01/420604426
Well, the Edublogs™ Kick Start Your Blogging Challenge draws to a close this week. It’s been quite a ride, and quite a heavy workload - for a blogger accustomed to producing 4 posts a month.
In response to the penultimate challenge, I’ve created a guide to the widgets and badges displayed on the A Relief Teacher’s Journey sidebar, which has undergone a significant evolution over the course of this incredible professional learning experience.
My Sidebar Widgets & Badges
The most recent blogging challenge asked us to embed some media (e.g a video, a prezi, voki, voicethread) into our blog. Now, I’m pretty confident with my media embedding skills, and I have even gone so far as to develop a rudimentary understanding of the HTML code which underpins my blog posts.
I’m not some incredible blogger, able to create amazing media-rich posts out of thin air. I have a little secret ... I cheat …
Images make the blog. A good image often says more than the carefully crafted words the writer has used to convey their message.
I know of (and use) various ways to present images in blogs; however, I only recently realised that I haven’t always demonstrated best practice in regards to publishing images on A Relief Teacher’s Journey.
Learning about Creative Commons
In December 2010, I engaged in some wide-reading about Creative Commons copyright regulations, and quickly changed my blogging practice in response.
After I belatedly realised that my past use of images hadn’t been strictly legal, I made a conscious effort to use legally available images (from Flickr CC) to represent / support my blog posts. Over the next few months, I will revise some of my older posts to ensure their compliance with the copyright regulations which (do actually) apply to the Internet!
Flickr CC Image: 'Rodeo Beach - Marin Headlands'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28027240@N00/4085330908
So, where to from here?
I’m not going to write a lengthy post about Creative Commons, nor am I going to present a series of tips for the effective use of CC images, sounds, etc. in blog posts. I know for a fact that others can do this better than I can, and many already have – see Sue Waters’ excellent “how to” post: Enhancing Blog Posts with Images.
No, I think I’ll provide a few handy links for ‘creative commons savvy’ educators, and publish a few of my PhotoStory™ presentations (2008-2009) which demonstrate the power of images for telling a story.
Let me know what you think.
I send emails, I blog, I tweet, and I leave comments on other people’s blogs. As I conduct my online activities, I am conscious of my digital footprint, and endeavour to promote a consistent, positive image of myself online.
I have generally been reluctant to share my own image online, a key reason why I found this challenge difficult to undertake.
The Teacher Challenge #4 encouraged us to consider our online avatar, a critical component of our online identity which represents us to the world.
For some months now, I have used one of my all-time favourite photographs, entitled Sunset over the WA Maritime Museum, Fremantle Harbour, as my avatar. It reflects my love of photography and Fremantle Ports, which is one of my favourite photographic destinations.
Now, after reflecting on the implications of Challenge #4 and @brittgow’s advice, I have decided to use a more personal avatar, reflecting my efforts to build professional online relationships with teachers around the world.
I joined the Edublogs Teacher Challenge because I felt I was ready to refine my blogging skills and build an audience. To be honest, I also thought it would look good on my resume.
Now, as I approach the mid-way point of the Challenge, I have received some incredibly valuable constructive feedback & criticism on my work.
Its’ time for a formal response …
Flickr CC Image: 'celestial light'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/99771506@N00/3130228600
As part of the Edublogs Teacher Blogging Challenge, I’ve been reflecting on, and discussing my blogging process with teachers around the world.
I have really enjoyed these conversations, as I have gained valuable constructive feedback on the layout, style, and content of my blog, as well as practicing my blog commenting skills.
As I’ve noticed a huge spike in readership as part of the Edublogs™ Teacher Challenge, I thought now would be a good time to ask for some reader feedback on the layout and navigation of A Relief Teacher’s Journey.
Sunset over Fremantle Harbour, Western Australia (Michael Graffin, 2010)
Blogging. What a word ...
We blog for different purposes and audiences. Yet, to be truly effective, bloggers need to ensure that their posts are relevant, informative; and perhaps inspiring, motivating, or informative for their intended audience.
After reflecting on the Probloggers “Nine Signs of an Effective Blog Post, and examining several Edublog™ Award exemplars, I created a Prezi presentation on the topic.
Check it out!
Reflecting on my own blogging practice
As I recently wrote in I’m Not Talking To Myself Anymore!, A Relief Teacher’s Journey is starting to attract significant international readership; and this is having a fundamental impact on my writing process and online professional interactions.
As my Twitter™ conversations and recent blog comments may suggest, I’m moving away from blogging at my audience, towards interacting with and learning from them. This openness and mutual sharing of ideas will, no doubt, take time to develop; however, it marks an important evolution in my blogging journey.
For this evolution to occur; however, I’m going to need some help. I don’t have much experience with meaningfully inviting readers’ suggestions and constructive feedback; and I’d like to move away from the repetitive line: “Your comments and feedback are greatly appreciated”.
I look forward to reading your suggestions and advice below, as I continue my participation in the 2011 Edublogs™ Teacher Blogging Challenge. Thankyou.
Today, as part of the first Advanced Teacher Blogging Challenge, I will be “interviewing” my blog; sharing some insights into the writing processes, inspiration, and experiences which underpin A Relief Teacher’s Journey.
Here goes …
Image- Flickr CC: 'Pioneer Unit at FunX, Amsterdam'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32068310@N00/3490292855
When I started A Relief Teacher’s Journey, I was literally talking to myself; however, as reflected in my revised landing page above, my blogging journey has helped me break out of the lonely, isolated experience typical of so many graduate / newly qualified teachers.
As I have started to expand my Personal Learning Network through Twitter™, I have been overwhelmed by the recent traffic on my blog; after my recent posts were retweeted and read by hundreds of teachers around the world. My readers’ support and comments have been a wonderful boost for a first year blogger.
Now, shortly after participating in my first international Reform Symposium eConference, I am excited to announce my participation in the 2011 Edublogs™ Teacher Blogging Challenge.
I hope you will join me on my learning journey over the next 30 days, as I refine my blogging skills and build my audience through my participation in the Advanced Blogging Challenges. I look forward to reading your comments and feedback. Your support, as always, is greatly appreciated.
Image – Flickr CC: 'Bloggeur, after Cassandre'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9106303@N05/2258650778
