As the semester closes, so does the blogging for ENGL 223. Several of the students mentioned in Spring 2010 semester that they wanted to continue with their blogs and asked me if they could, but no one ever posted again. At first I was a little disappointed, but I understand that 'life' gets in the way of doing some things, and one thing that often goes is posting in a blog that, after all, was an assignment in a class. Even I stopped posting in that blog. But it was fun while it lasted, as this semester blogging has been.
I started to read the blogs from this semester on Thursday afternoon and evening, after my final session of ENGL 211 (at the Logansport Pizza Hut actually), and then finished them on Friday morning. What a task! I loved every minute, but combining the laugh-out-loud moments, the 'really?' thoughts, and trying to record everyone's original posts along with all of the responses, trying not to miss any--I breathed a sigh of relief that it was over. I hope to return and read them again this coming week and comment on some of the posts.
Was the blog assignments for midterm and final successful? I think so overall.
Some people took to blogging well. Others did not. Some thought of it as a chore, like laundry. It had to be done. A few saw it as a 'guilty pleasure.' Several used the forum to share personal writing or lines and passages from favorite authors. All of these allowed the blogs to be your own, to be personalized, which was one of the points of blogging.
Dana commented on the blog of one of the guys "'I like what you've done with the place.' (looking around)" Me too! Did you notice the different backgrounds and formats, the pictures and pieces of art that were included on some blogs?
Heather, Abby, and I had chatted about the discussion board comments on one of the most recent story selections. I was ready to post a response about how we, as readers, need to open our eyes to past history, to the treatment of people before our time, to realize the discrimination and the treatment of races and ethnic groups as well as the handicapped. Before I could do that, however, another student beat me to it.
Another student posted about the differences between the literature we began reading and the literature that was written in the 20th century. Different styles, different attitudes, different situations....why? Which did you prefer?
This online class has to be one of the best I have taught. One student commented that even though none of you really knew each other, you actually did. Before this class, I knew Kevin, James, Lindsey, Heather T., Christina, Dana, and Megan. Now I feel like I know the rest of you as well, even better than some of the students in my Logansport classes! We started with 20; we ended with 19; and most of you had high grades, which means you worked hard!
As we draw to a close, please remember that reading is fun, an escape, a way to explore, a way to learn, a way to relax. Moving out of one's comfort zone and reading new genres can create challenges! If you have learned anything this semester, I hope you learn that reading can take you places you have never been before, may never go again, and give you experiences that no one can take away from you.
Thank you for coming on this journey through literature with me. I hope our paths cross again.
Happy reading!
