I’ve been blogging in various forms for over 10 years. This particular blog is coming up on its 5th anniversary. Over the last decade my interest in blogging has been sporadic. Some years I’ve been a prolific poster, other years I’ve struggled to find my voice.
2014 wasn’t a good years for me content-wise. I published a number of posts I’m proud of but I’ve also ended up with far more drafts that I never got around to finishing.
Maybe the obituaries are correct, blogging is dead.
And then I saw an idea on Twitter that I had to steal from @drspikecook, a blog a day challenge.
Put simply the challenge is to post something, in my case learning-related, for the next 365 days.
Is this idea insane?
Absolutely.
Will I likely start off with a hiss and a roar then quickly fade away once reality hits?
More than likely.
However after two failed attempts at the photo a day challenge, 2014 was the year I finally completed a long-term creative challenge and I learned a few things along the way.
Firstly, it’s ok to fall off the wagon with a creative challenge but you need to jump back on.
Secondly, by making a photo every day for a year my photography improved.
Thirdly, by creating a photo every day I’ve become a lot more aware of the environment around me.
By posting about learning everyday I’m hoping to spend time questioning why I do what I do in the classroom and making it better for the kids who call me their teacher.
I’m hoping others will join me.
Maybe there’s something in your life you want to record or improve. To take part in the challenge all you need to do is post each day for the next 365 days using the blogaday tag and hashtag.
I’m leaving the definition of what constitutes a blogpost up to whoever ends up doing this challenge (which might just be me) but photos, sketchnotes, videos and podcasts all count so long as they are published to your blog.
Posts can be written in advance then scheduled.
Reblogging old or other people’s stuff without commentary is, at this juncture, out.
The point of this challenge is that you create something each day.
Of course, when I get desperate for content I reserve the right to break these rules.
Happy blogging.
Oh and happy new year.
Teaching the Teacher 
Congratulations on completing a 365! An awesome achievement. I have done two (a few years ago now) and agree that they are great way to improve your photography. Your comments about about blogging resonated with me. I have struggled to get motivated to blog (for several reasons) but would like to change this in 2015. Maybe a challenge is what I need, although I don’t really want to do another 365. A 52 week challenge would suit me better. Hmm, might have to shock the world and make a blog post – after a trip to the beach 🙂 Happy New Year and good luck for your challenge.
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Hi Sharon thanks for stopping by. I did a weekly reflection post for the first three years of the blog. I guess blogaday is a payback for such poor blogging in 2014.
stephanie
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I really like this idea! With all that is going on with me this term/year (classes, practicum – both part-time and full-time, as well as looking for a job eventually and completing licensure requirements, AND what little personal life I have!) I was thinking of doing something similar to this (maybe a blog a week or every few days could work for me!)
I will write it into my agenda book on a certain day when I get the rhythm down and then I KNOW I will do it (as a future teacher, I can’t stand having things not crossed off on my to-do lists :p) I’m going to re-blog this post after I finish this comment, stating my differences to it. Excited to take this on!
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Reblogged this on newTeachrtips and commented:
FOLLOWERS (and other readers):
I am going to try this challenge, with some tweaks. I think a post every week or few days would be helpful for me to get my blog on the road as well as fully become committed to getting my thoughts out there :). So far, I have done about a post every few weeks or for some pages, once a month. I am going to write it down in my agenda book on a day that I think will be most successful, and feel free to hold me accountable! My first new post (apart from this one) will probably appear later tonight or tomorrow. It will be tough as school and my part-time teaching workload takes more of a toll. Wish me luck!
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