Why Blog (Redux)? Revisited

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A “Revisited” blog post indicates that I reread the original and used AI-assisted tools (e.g., Grammarly) to improve grammar and word choice.

First published January 07, 2014.

I initially made ~~several~~ many half-hearted attempts at blogging about seven years ago. Still, I didn’t seriously start using blogging tools until I was awarded an opportunity to become an online “community blogger” as “Curious David” for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. During that year, I discovered the seminal technology tool dissemination work of my “virtual” mentor, the indefatigable, who never seems to sleep, Jane Hart. Thank you, Jane, for your idealism, generosity, and persistence. I value your collegiality.

I was also blessed to have a supportive editor who gave me a free license to explore Web tools and write about whatever I wanted. Given the freedom to explore, I rediscovered the joys and challenges of writing. The following year I was given the opportunity to teach a semester-long course on Web learning tools to 25 Carroll (then) College freshmen. Blogging was one tool I introduced to them.

One of the best books about the history of blogging I have read is Suzanne Stefanac’s Dispatches from Blogistan.: a travel guide for the modern blogger. Thoughtful, witty, concise, practical, and thought-provoking—it opened my mind to the value of blogging tools.

I have investigated the relative strengths and weaknesses of WordPress, TypePad, Edublogs, Blogger, and Tumblr. In part because of the beautiful and lucid book Teach Yourself Visually WordPress by Janet Majure —I find I prefer the printed copy to the Kindle version— I have decided to invest a good deal of time exploring what WordPress blogging tools allow me to do. WordPress.com itself provides so many rich learning resources.

As Suzanne Stefanac points out, some blogs are linkfests, others diaries; some serve as clubhouses, newsrooms, and soapboxes. I blog when I feel I have something to say that might interest others. I am enduringly interested in lifelong learning and enjoy sharing what I learn. I am not interested in having many followers, but do I cross-post to Linked-in, Twitter, and Facebook because those venues allow me to stay in touch with friends, former students, and people I learn so much from? I welcome comments and feedback. In the past few years, I’ve corresponded with many interesting individuals worldwide who have enriched my life and informed my teaching and learning.

Here are some topics I am thinking of exploring in the new future: