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Using Blogs Professionally vs. Personally


This is the first time I've blogged in a long time. I used to keep a blog as a teacher so that my students and parents could access it. My previous blogging experience has got me thinking about the difference between blogging for class, blogging personally, and blogging professionally. Has anyone blogged for professional uses before? I felt more structured as teacher blogger and felt the need to make my blogs perfect. I wanted to make sure I stayed professional and always had to watch what I said to avoid any blowback from parents. I was teaching elementary school when I was blogging so my students didn't use Blogger as much as their parents did. I felt like blogging benefitted my career because it allowed parents to connect with me on a more personal level, but I didn't really feel like myself. I always had to put on my professional face and put a lot more thought into what I said. Blogging for class has felt more free and I'm more interested in the variety of topics I have to choose from. This has been more of a pleasant experience for me than blogging as a teacher. While I may be getting a grade for these blog posts, I feel like I'm blogging for personal uses instead of professional uses. If I were blogging about my dogs or what I cooked for dinner I may feel even more free but I'm enjoying blogging for this class so far. 

Comments

  1. Leah, I see a similar blog post shared by SoD. You mentioned one of the most challenging aspects of using tools in everyday life! And I wish I also had an explanation for black and white ways of using these spaces. I'm enjoying your blog presence and insights, so far! Keep it up! :)

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  2. Leah, It's funny that right before I read this post, I blogged about how I used to blog personally too. For me though it was about raising my children and the journey of that as a mom of multiples. I had never thought of using this as a means of communication for parents! That may be something I have to try. Let's see how this experience goes first.

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