Allyson hit the nail on the head with the bit about internet anonymity. You (blog author) knowing the “real” me (blog commenter) is definitely atypical. Surfing the net, you get the feeling people are creating these strange and extreme personas. I guess the post-modernists would say they’re feeling powerless, and want to escape or lash out at the culture. Perfect example is the whole Perez Hilton thing. Weirdness.

The futility of your professor’s motivational techniques seems so obvious–one has to wonder if her style was prompted by a severe lack of self-reflection or of burn-out or basic cluelessness. As Dr. Rice indicated on the first day of class, the best way to shut down discussion is with the blanket, “So what do you think?” May I have the insight to hang it all up if I ever reach that low point where I can’t invest enough in my students to provide guidance in their learning. Profitable, engaged discussion only happens when enough participants prepare–it won’t happen when instructors abdicate responsibility and then bludgeon students into participation.

And now I’ve revealed my grasp of the obvious.

Your experience on this blog will be different than what it would be if you tried it in the typical way. On this blog you’re not anonymous, and that makes a HUGE difference. When you don’t know your readers, it’s easier to be bold when you’re naturally shy (and in the process become the person you’re pretending to be). And your idea about being able to write in fits and starts with frequent deleting…is there any other way? Why do you think I love it so much?

My point is that I think blogging and discussion boards are good exercises for anyone who isn’t comfortable with their own voice, written or verbal.