In with the in crowd..
19 09 2008The blogging project is a collective effort. From our discussions about what should be posted, to concerns about privacy and audience, this thing is taking on a shape in front of our eyes. Lave’s ideas about “legitimate peripheral participation” are well suited to this little community of practice we’ve got going here. For instance: (a) In this experience, the social process takes precedent over the content. (B) Moving toward legitimate participation may depend for some of us on the “validating” power of commenting: If no one comments, can I move from the periphery toward “full participation” in the community? So I am glad we are paying attention to this issue of commenting. And I hope folks will look out for each other and not leave anyone out in the cold. But mostly I am really having fun with the whole blog world. Hope you are too… Bill
Interesting point. I believe without commenting and receiveing comments, the purpose is defeated. If the idea is to create a community of learners, the validation is important. Given the required nature of our blogging, the comments become more than just feedback, but reinforcement to continue to be thoughful, reflective and open. In addition, peer feedback helps us to gain a feeling of bing part of this ‘blog community’. The social nature of peer feedback creates yet another form of positive reinforcement and, to me, allows the process to be less like homework, and more like fun! From reading my peers blogs, and from what I write in my own, I can say the learning goes beyond classroom reflection for most.