I'm really excited because the local college has accepted my proposal to teach a class on blogging for senior citizens. I've entitled it:
Sharing Your Brilliance With the World:
Blogwriting for Beginners
Blogwriting for Beginners
Many of my bloggy buddies come from far away, even overseas, so it seemed like an apt title.
I was curious about where visitors to my blog were from, so I installed a widget to show that info. Clearly, some of them are stopping by without commenting; it seems a shame, given how far they've traveled. Here's a sample just from the last half day or so:
Czestochowa, Poland
Eden Prairie, MN
Taverne, Switzerland
Antwerp, Belgium
Columbia, SC
Madras Tamil, Nadu, India
San Diego, California
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia
Wow, huh? I worry these people have come seeking knowledge and I have somehow let them all down. People really should not read without commenting.
Totally superfluous aside:
Thanks to the lijit widget, I also know the top search terms that bring people over here. I'm sure many things cause folks to look at my blog, but the top one is - drumroll, please -
"Mike Rowe naked"
My class will start in April and run for five weeks, once a week for 2 hours. So I need to pack a whole lot of information into a relatively short time. But I think it will get people started down the path of blog enlightenment. I can hardly wait!
If you have any thoughts about what I might include in such a course, I'm all ears. Anything you wish you'd known when you began? Anything you've found particularly fun? Any cautions?
Posts
16 comments:
http://shaungroves.com/2009/10/11-tips-for-persuaders-to-a-cause/
I sent a link that Shaun Groves posted on being an influencer. When I go on the blog trips I always think through these tips.
What a fun class to teach!!
oh oh oh, I need to send my dad to that class!:)
Can't think of a better teacher for this class! Have fun!
Congrats on the class. Considering all the senior citizens I know of don't even know how to turn on a computer, it should be a challenge.
And why are you writing about Mike Rowe naked? I mean, he is sexy and all, and I totally think my job is worthy of an episode of dirty jobs, but the naked part confuses me.
Maureen - you'll have to search my blog for the infamous Mike Rowe post. It has a fun video. Sadly, the nekkidness has been strategically covered with cartoon characters. Kinky, I know.
Kathy - thanks, buddy. I am astounded at my audacity in believing I can actually teach this. It is mostly just my greed for a teaching paycheck. And the desire to spread knowledge wherever I go, of course.
Kyooty - your dad would be very welcome, but I think it would be a very long commute! :)
Patricia - that is a SUPER link! Thank you so much. And welcome back from your trip. Can't wait to see you this Wed. xoxo
I have thought about teaching a blog class too but you are way ahead me - I'm still thinking.
I would include the usefulness of joining a blog community/forum like blog catalog. It helped me find other bloggers and them find me.
Mike Rowe is kinda hot in a Mike Rowe kinda way.
I'm just sayin' ....
Sad to say, I don't know who Mike Rowe is! I got here via a different route. Just wanted to say good luck with your class, and I bet it will be fun to do. So much fun, you'll hardly notice the paycheck.
I LOVE that you are doing this. You will be ideal. I can just picture you wise-cracking with the OAPs. In fact, I'm going to bet that this class becomes a regular feature of the community college calendar.
I will have a think on some advice for newbie bloggers.
(Laughing about your top search. Don't people search the darndest things? I think that I might have missed that post. Might have repressed it, though.)
Heck, I would like to sit in on that one, my Dear! Sounds great. I think the fact that Blogger is so simple and easy to use should really be a boon, esp. for a generation of "digital immigrants" - I'd be interested to see what their main purpose to learn blogging would be: family history documentation, or sharing travel, or simply keeping up with family news & grandkids. What a great way to get family stories out there! Might want to introduce them to some photosharing programs like Flikr so that family and travel photos can go up easily, too. Just a thought.
What a great idea! I think everyone should have a blog. And here's a fun blog kept by two elderly women who are lifelong friends. If you haven't seen it, check it out because it is a hoot:
http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/
lisleman - great idea! I hadn't done that.
A Tired Wife - oh, my, yes.
Kerry - so that begs the question "how DID you get here?" :) Thanks for the good wishes!
Bee - I love your Britishisms like "OAP"; they make me smile and long to buy an airline ticket. Please do think of some good tips for newbies. And of course I'll be taking my class to visit you, so you might want to put the virtual kettle on. I'll give you fair warning of the day we'll visit so you're prepared for visitors. Actually, it would be super fun to skype you in. Let's talk.
mommapolitico - LOVE the "digital immigrants" expression! Did you coin it or borrow it? Flickr is a great idea. First I need to learn it myself. :)
Becky - Brilliant link. I love her comments about Palin. Love them, you hear?!
Congratulations! That sounds like an excellent idea. I swear my dad spends as much time on YouTube as my teenaged son. There are several seniors in my blogging community.
Only a small fraction of my visitors comment. It’s always nice to get feedback but some are shy. Don’t take it as an insult. Perhaps they are awed by your writing.
On cautions I’d warn them that they should assume that the last person they want to read their blog will find it. In general, though, it is a warm, accepting community. They should try reading a bunch of blogs before they start (you can recommend some for homework) and commenting on other blogs is a great way to build a community around yours. Also try to keep the posts as short as possible and post regularly. Hope that helps!
Good luck!
That class is a great idea! :) I wish my Mom and/or Dad would take a class like that.
Let us know how it goes! :)
Oh brilliant Holly! I'm thinking of starting a small blog giving people the tips and hints I've learned along the way. But you're going to meet and teach real life bloggers!! Well done!
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