The Blogger in Me

It's interesting that I have this opportunity to reflect on becoming a blogger. I don't think I ever explained this, but part of the reason for naming my blog Actually Aricka is because I was thinking -- I am "actually" blogging and I can hardly believe it. In general, I don't do electronic social networks. I believe that true relationships are built through personal, more intimate connections. I have read some blogs, but only when invited to do so by friends or professors. I guess I never really had a purpose to blog. The way I see it, most people don't really care about my opinion or thoughts on most subjects. And, if they do, then they are close enough to me that I can share my opinions in person, rather than on the web. I'm not saying that I'm not opinionated, because I definitely am. However, I tend to keep my opinions to myself unless or asked or encouraged to share by someone.

Anyway, despite my apprehension, blogging has helped me to think through my thoughts as they are happening. This helps me to preserve my learning to be revisited another day. I am at the age where I have already forgotten what a lot of people have yet to learn, so preserving my learning is important. Since it's on the web, hopefully somebody out there will share a common interest or connection with something I had to share. Also, though I have not had much time to do so, I hope to go back and read my classmates' blogs to understand them better, gather new ideas, etc.

I do see a connection, however between blogging and social studies. Social studies is all about people and their similarities, differences, agreements, conflicts, shared resources, and groupings around the world. Blogging on the web can serve to connect you with others that you wouldn't ordinarily have met.

I maintain that social studies is one of the broadest topics taught in schools. A teacher could view almost any subject she or he teachs through the social studies lens. It is unfortunate that the topic doesn't get its due in most schools. This course has made me more determined to teach social studies from the beginning to the end of the year and to integrate it with as many subjects as I can. It has piqued my interest and made me thirsty for more knowledge about history and geography (two of my weakest subjects). And, who knows, maybe I'll even continue to blog about what I'm learning. Me! Blogging! This is . . .

Actually,
Aricka