Am I Doing It Right...?
Due to Steve's latest email, it's made me take a look at my blog and think if I'm using it right.
I know from previous experience that I have trouble writing in an evaluative way. It was mentioned by Steve when I had my feedback meeting for my project. It's something I keep trying to improve and since it was mentioned, I hope that I have improved.
I have been using the cycle from my sketchbook and it does help. I often forget to mention how to do things better the next time and so on.
When Steve sends out these emails to us all, it makes me feel guilty. I'm sure it does to others. "Is it me he's talking about?" type of questions pop into your head. After all, some peoples blogs must be spot on, but I'm sure they get slightly worried as well.
It would be nice to have some formal sort of feedback with Steve regarding our blogging and also sketchbooks just to check that we're on track as the assignment spans such a long time.
9 comments:
I agree with you, James. Just a small amount of feedback such as "you need more evaluation" or "make an action plan for next time" kind of posts by Steve or John would help no end. At least then everyone is clear on what they have to do to improve.
Hi James,
Thanks for your comments regarding my sissy image. You have helped me understand it better. I'll amend my SA aswell as my blog.
I completely see where you are coming from on the 'is he talking about me?' thoughts. I think mine is one of the least formal blogs. I will have to think about changing the way I write a little? Could you possibly give me some feedback on this?
Hi James, I was worried when I received that e-mail too. I think that he just wants a bit more reflective evaluation in our blog entries. I find that the cycle in our sketchbook's is helpful too as it gives you a starting point to your entry.
It's interesting to note that only two people accepted my invitation to get back to me about the email. If that's not an open invitation to get feedback, what is?
However…
I think the educational system conditions most students to be reactive learners – to respond when required, to regurgitate information on command – information that may never used again. I’m trying to cajole you all into being proactive learners: to seek feedback rather than wait for it to be offered; to willingly offer a colleague some support with a thoughtful comment, rather than assuming someone else will do it.
We all need to become increasingly responsible for our own learning.
Thanks for the response James – a positive response – which shows that you’re willing to take responsibility for your own learning. I’ll look forward to having a productive conversation with you some time this week. The question is how many others will be bothered?
Update ... four responses.
If you don't mind James, I'd like to offer a bit of feedback on your blog. One of the things that pops out at me straight away when I read your blog is you're always telling me what you've done, but never whether it went well, bad, or if you'll change it next time.
Instead of following strict rules for writing the blog (which I in itself believe is impossible) I usually follow these three simple things:
What happened?
How did it make you feel?
What will you do differently next time (action plan)?
It does become formulaic to begin with, but after a while when you get used to it it seems natural.
Another I notice about your blog is the length. Read one of your posts back to yourself. Are you going into enough detail? From my opinion I don't feel you are.
Hope that helps a bit.
I know what you mean Craig. Thanks for the advice.
At the end of the day, I'm not a writing person. I can safely say that I will never be a novelist or journalist.
I don't believe in the sort of length equals better blog comment. Sometimes I just don't think enough has gone off in a week to warrant paragraphs and paragraphs of writing.
From reading your blog and other pieces, I can see that you are someone that enjoys writing and has a natural flair for it, whereas I don't. I know this is no excuse.
I suppose the only thing to do is just follow the formula and get on with it.
I disagree James. I feel you've got quite a natural feel to your writing, and it's improving week by week. I feel that maybe the reason you write short blogs is because you feel you are rubbish at writing, which couldn't be further from the truth.
The length is variable - it should be enough by what you feel.
But do you really feel two short paragraphs is long enough?
Well i've took on board your advice and done a super long blog this week. After looking through my blog though I can't find one where I only do 2 paragraphs.
I do know what you mean though. Maybe psychologically I think I can't write so I tend to write as little as possible.
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