Why Blog? Blogging as Productive Procrastination

I have created (and deleted) around four different blogs previous to publishing on this one. I love the idea of blogging, but I have just never found my blogging groove. I have had this particular blogger account since 2010, and I have only ever published one post (it was one sentence actually). "One day I will post on this blog", it read. It sat there, un-touched for five years!

So what has changed? Why is it a good idea to write a blog now as a student teacher?

This time, before I started, I did a little research. My google history is very telling: 'Why write a blog', 'how to write a blog', 'best blogging platforms' etc. I'm hoping this has helped!

I have challenged myself to write a post a week. Below are five reasons why I think it is a good idea for me to write a blog as a student teacher.  If there comes a time when I want to give up on it all I will read back over these reasons and (hopefully) get re-inspired.

1. Blogging can change your life! 

According to this guy, blogging can change your life. He claims (among other things) that blogging makes you a better writer, a better thinker, live a more intentional life and develop an eye for meaningful things ...I get that! One summer I took an instagram challenge, where I had to post a new photo of something that made me happy every day for 100 days. I began to notice things that I would not have noticed before, I began to see interesting and beautiful photo opportunities all around (sometimes the in the most mundane/ordinary things). Having a platform to share with others, changed my outlook, and for those 100 days I developed an eye for the happiness around me.

Blogging as a student teacher, I am hoping will allow me to be more intentional in all that I do, and to develop a more meaningful eye for all things inspiring in education.

2. It encourages reflective practice.

Time and time again I come across research that claims that reflective teachers are the most effective teachers. The Teaching as Inquiry Model is constantly referred to at University in most of the papers that I have taken recently. After filling out countless reflections in practicum folders, I never thought I would think about writing reflections for fun! Writing a blog should allow for deeper thinking and clarity of ideas. But as I see it, getting into the habit of reflection and recording now, is probably a good idea!

3. Networking and sharing of ideas

The Internet blows my mind! You never know who might be reading, which is both scary and exciting. I encourage anyone who might be reading this (if there is anyone!) to post a comment and let me know what you think too. I love collaboration and I have so, so much yet to learn.

4. Kids can blog too! 

I love the idea of encouraging kids to blog. Their writing suddenly has a purpose, and an audience. 

So often kids write in their notebook and who gets to see it? Maybe just themselves and the teacher! How un-motivating. Publishing work on a blog gives children's writing a purpose AND they can get feedback from other people, not just the classroom teacher. How cool is that?! Reluctant writers might just come to the party too if they realise there is a platform out there just for them. I know I would have loved that as a kid. It's all just so exciting!

And so, if I want to get kids in on the blogging too, it's probably a good idea to know what I'm talking about in the first place.

5. Blogging is productive procrastination

I have an assignment to do at the moment. Can you tell?