"I don't know what to write!" is a lament I often get from students in classes where a blog is required. Here are a few of my recommendations:
Use your blog to float some ideas that you are considering for an assignment in the class.You'll get feedback from me and from others in class before you spend hours working on a topic.
Consider a video blog! Use your Flip camera or other recording device and create and post a short video blog instead of -- or in addition to -- writing. The Tech Cage has two Flip cameras that you can borrow to experiment with this technology. Load your video to YouTube and share it by using the little "clapper board" icon when you post. Here is a YouTube video with some ideas for video-blogging.
Follow other blogs, Facebook profiles, Twitter, or sources for ideas in your profession and share some cool ideas with your classmates. One of the beauties of blogging is that you get to look cool by being the person who shares ideas AND adds their own creative twist to that idea. One of the blogs that I follow is Brand Flakes for Breakfast, which the blogger promotes as a resource for people who want to see what's new on the Internet -- especially YouTube -- but don't have time to look for content themselves. I found a really cool fashion-related post there this week about clothing that transforms itself as the model wears it down the runway.
Share something that occurs to you after class. Maybe you see, read, or hear something or a brilliant idea strikes you related to a topic from class. Before that idea goes cold, post it on your blog. For example, when I saw the "transforming fashion" video I had to share it, even though I've already posted this week. Posting once a week is minimum; you can post more!
Use the blog as a way to share when you cannot share in class. If you are absent (horrors!) your blog is a way to stay connected to your classmates and to me. Let us know you are alive and thinking, even if we don't see you in class.
Ask questions about something related to class. Chances are pretty good that others are thinking those questions too.
Make a suggestion about something related to class. Share ideas you have about how an assignment could be tweaked or changed completely to make it more interesting, fun, and/or useful.
Read my blogs and your classmates' blogs. You might be inspired to respond in more than just a comment, or maybe one of our ideas sparks a bigger idea that you can run with.
If all else fails...end me an email and I'll try to give you some ideas.
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