As part of the 2008 31 Day Comment Challenge, we’ve been asked to consider how we’re inviting conversation on our own blogs. It’s been suggested that we use Michele Martin’s post Six Reasons People Aren’t Commenting On Your Blog as a guide for auditing our blogs. Here are six common traps Michele says bloggers fall into.

1. You sound like a press release.
2. You sound like an info-mercial.
3. You sound like a know-it-all.
4. You haven’t showed them how.
5. You haven’t created the right atmosphere.
6. You just don’t seem that into it.

Ouch! That’s one tough list!

At first glance I think I can easily stroke two items off the list. So let’s revise.

1. You sound like a press release.
2. You sound like an info-mercial.
3. You sound like a know-it-all.
4. You haven’t showed them how.
5. You haven’t created the right atmosphere.
6. You just don’t seem that into it.

Number 6 was easy to eliminate. If I’m not “into it” I don’t write about it. Period.

Number 4 was also pretty easy. Figure it out people! There’s a similar structure to most blog platforms. There’s always some mention of “Comments”. Click on the link and see what happens

The rest are really hard! I suppose at times I may be perceived as sounding like a know-it-all writing press releases about what I’ve been doing and learning, and posting info-mercials that invite teachers to join my projects. That’s not my intention! In reflecting on my work I feel it’s as important to share the lessons I’ve learned as it is to raise questions. I’m trying to do this in a clear, well-thought-out manner. There are project promotions on this blog. I don’t see them as info-mercials; I’m not selling anything. I work for a not-for-profit organization that connects scientists, researchers, engineers and astronauts with classes around the world in an online collaborative learning environment. There is no cost for teachers to enroll in any of our projects and I use every means at my disposal to get the word out so as many classes as possible can get involved. As for number 5 – atmosphere, I hope people find it warm and welcoming.

This is a tough challenge; it’s very difficult to hear your own voice! Here’s how I think it sounds.

1. You sound like a press release. You have clear, well-thought-out reflections.
2. You sound like an info-mercial. You are passionate about the opportunities you are developing for students.
3. You sound like a know-it-all. You are willing to share what you have learned.
4. You haven’t showed them how. You believe in letting people build confidence by discovering things on their own.
5. You haven’t created the right atmosphere. (I really can’t gauge this one.)
6. You just don’t seem that into it. You write about the things that truly engage you.

You tell me – how does my voice sound to you?

Technorati tags: comment08, Comment Challenge, commenting, “blog audit”, “Michele Martin”

I think this is just the kick-in-the-pants I need to get back to being a participating citizen of the edublogsphere, one who enjoys the right to take part in collegial dialogue and lives up to the responsibility of adding to the conversation in a meaningful way.

I’m looking at the Challenge Activity for Day 1 (and I’d better hurry as this day is rapidly getting away from me). The activity is to do a commenting self-audit. It’s interesting that as I’m reflecting on my commenting behaviour, I stumble upon today’s post by David Truss where he re-visits one of his posts from a year ago. One of the comments David quotes from the original post is mine. A year ago I commented daily – on many of the blogs aggregating in my Google Reader as well as throughout the Classroom 2.0 community.

Here’s a snapshot of my Google Reader as of five minutes ago:

Four hundred + unread items. That’s actually not too bad, considering it was consistently 1000+ items for the first couple of months this year. I’ll admit – in juggling all the things screaming for my time, I’ve let reading slip down the priority list. And if I’m not reading it follows that I haven’t been commenting either. Well I’m back – at least for the next thirty days! Want to join me?

Technorati Tags: comment08, Sue Waters, Silvia Tolisano, Michele Martin, Kim Cofino, David Truss, Comment Challenge