I started my blog because feel strongly about being an advocate for students who learn in different ways. I want my blog to be a place that people visit to share and learn more about this issue.
So, you would imagine my delight when I received a message from Sue Waters and Lisa Dick, inviting me to participate in the 31 Days Challenge. I decided quickly to join this group of edubloggers who are collaborating and learning together with a view to becoming better bloggers.
I hope that by participating in the 31 Days Challenge, I can learn more about blogging and transform my blog into a space that people want to visit to share thoughts, strategies, concerns and resources and get in touch with other educators around the globe.
One teacher commenting on Colin’s blog said “I’ve learned more from reading people’s blogs and following their links, than in any professional development classes that I’ve had recently.” This is a powerful comment, and is one of the reasons why I am keen to be part of this exciting learning community.
I will be writing my thoughts about this experience here.
9 responses so far ↓
Sue Waters // Jan 14th 2009 at 2:08 pm
It’s so hard to truly describe how much the original 31 Day Project impacted on my life. However if you look back at my initial posts on my personal blog and compare them to now you can see the progression. The other aspect you will notice is also the growth a the blogging community.
Have to agree with the commenter on Colin’s blog – blogging and all the activities I do online provided me greater learning than I achieve through any professional development or conference attendance. However PD (and conferences) is often a contributing factor for getting people started. Also important to further developing the f2f relationships.
Best of luck with the project.
pnichols // Jan 15th 2009 at 2:48 pm
Sue,
Your comments made me think about the impact this experience is having on me as a learner. I am enjoying learning so much about the technical and practical aspects of this kind of social networking. I am also finding that the collaborative, active, reflective and constructivist aspects of this way of learning (all points that Jenny covers in her post http://jennywood.edublogs.org/2009/01/15/teaching-with-blogs-and-wikis/ are very meaningful. Thank you for your message. Paul
murcha // Jan 15th 2009 at 10:10 pm
This time last year, I joined the 31 day blog challenge, but I think I only did one day of it as school returned and life got busy. I often regret not completing it as I may have learnt the skills of blogging sooner. However, all my students blog now with their own individual blogs and it has been a wonderful and powerful learning outcome especially as they connect with others around the world.
jeanettem // Jan 16th 2009 at 3:43 am
Hi there Paul
Thanks for sharing and I am glad you enjoy my posts. It is always inspiring to read the comments of others and reflect on our own experiences. My first impression whils visiting this blog is the heading… what language would that be? Is the image one of your own? Keep in contact won’t you.
pnichols // Jan 16th 2009 at 12:59 pm
Thank you for your comment, Jeanette. When I first started the blog I was trying to think out of the box and come up with a name that was creative and made people curious. So, I searched around and decided upon the name eruditio pro totus which is a rough translation in latin for Learning For All. What I now understand is that the name confuses people and does not clearly express what the blog is about. So I am considering a name change. Here are some suggestions that other readers have made…
Learning Space
Learning for Everyone
Connecting Minds
Searching For Learning
Understanding Learning
Do any of these grab your attention? Do you have any other suggestions? Thanks again for your thoughts…
alijoy // Jan 16th 2009 at 10:22 pm
I really like the connecting minds idea for your title as i think that is just what blogs do. Could you combine two so that you reflect what a blog in general does and what yours does in particular – connecting minds to learning or something. Keep blogging! It is fascinating.
jeanettem // Jan 16th 2009 at 11:19 pm
Tena koe Paul
I do like the title Connecting Minds – now that’s the start of something great!
Twitter and see what other responses you get:)
Errin // Jan 17th 2009 at 7:42 pm
Hi Paul,
That’s a fantastic banner photo! I’m going to jump into the conversation above about your blog name. I struggled with a blog name when I started. I wondered about what your blog name meant – I like it now that I know the meaning! You could always keep it and include the translation in your ‘about’ page. Of the list above, I like Searching for Learning. It seems to fit with what I’ve read in your blog.
BTW, good start on the 31 Day Challenge!
pnichols // Jan 20th 2009 at 2:51 pm
Thank you Errin, Joy and Jeanette. I appreciate your feedback, ideas and encouragement very much. There will be a name change! I look forward to telling you more in my post on Thursday 22nd January. Thanks again!
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