I am excited to start blogging as a part of my learning journey. I know that blog has been used widely by people to express their thoughts, share experiences, or review certain products (Lately, I have been visiting some beauty blogs to find out how to do a skincare routine properly 😁). But, I have just known that it is also possible for a blog to become a marketplace.
Last Friday, I came to my ICT class and discussed the use of blogs as a learning tool. The teacher asked us to review an assigned blog to get ourselves engaged in the blog using. Lessonstream.com is the one I reviewed. I will divide my review into two sections: appearance and content.
Appearance
It looks professional! The pages are managed into four categories (home, about, blog, community, and join the membership), I could see it as more than just a writing publication platform as soon as I saw the phrase "join membership which is emphasized by different color and shape. The categorization makes the navigation clear and presentable. It is easy for me to find more detailed information in the blog. Interestingly, I also found that the blogger carefully defined different functions of different colors he used in the pages and subheadings fonts. I feel like it navigates me to the content categories. Not only that, but the nude color palette choice also leaves the sense of up-to-date and dynamic views to the presented blog contents. Another navigation tool used by the blogger is the links attached in the post. ups... there it is...👀 some links will navigate us to the product display (well, I will discuss it more in the content section😎)
Overall, the blog is well organized and presented. Now, let's move to the content section!
Content
There is a shrimp behind the stone
We (Indonesian) use this quote when we find the true reason why someone gave us something for free (ulterior motive). Reading the posts in this blog offers me insights into what and how to teach English. The title and the picture in each post attracted me to read more. I can tell that the posts are oriented to knowledge exchange, until ....the links of their 'real offer' are there. It will guide us to the lesson plan they sell. By then, it reminds me of what Fairclough (2003) explained in his book, Analysing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research, that nowadays written texts are meant not only for knowledge exchange but also for soft-sell advertisement. The blogger makes the posts as a display of the products he sells, a justification of why it is worth buying the lesson plan or joining the community by subscribing to the membership.
Apart from the marketing function it has, the blog can also be a platform for teachers to learn and share. There is new content in the blog called "LessonStream Live". The blogger will be sharing practical story/storytelling ideas and tips for teachers live on Youtube and Facebook twice a month. Check on this video if you are interested!
Finally, thank you for reading my first post, and would love to know what you think in the comment section 😉
sources:
Images: https://www.pexels.com/
video: lessonstream.com
Hi Ika, really nice blog and I like the title/quote you have used :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't see anywhere to subscribe/follow you on here?
Hi Nick, thanks, the quote just came up to my mind when I found the lesson plan links! haha . oh yes, I have not activated it, thanks for letting me know :)
DeleteHi Ika! I enjoyed reading your blog - the layout and content are very user-friendly👍
ReplyDeleteYou also mentioned useful points in your evaluation, thanks!
Hi Anna, thanks for reading. I am still exploring on how to manage and present the blog page :)
DeleteSorry, I didn't mean that! Please, could you delete those duplicated comments 🙏🏼😆
ReplyDeleteno worries, done it :)
DeleteHi Ika, This is a great first post! You seem to have a natural flair for blogging as you have very easily found your 'voice' and presented some really interesting content. Your readers will know that it is worth coming back to see what you say next! Great that you have embedded a video as well - all good technical skills. Thanks for explaining the 'Shrimp behind the stone' title - I was curious!! I like the fact that you have made it your background too. Your titles are nice and simple so you have an 'uncluttered' look. Well done - you've already got some others' comments so you are off to a good start!
ReplyDeletethank you, Tilly. I was nervous to click on the publish button because this is the first time for me to write my thoughts. I used to write stories and poems in my old blog on Tumblr.
DeleteHi Ika. It's nice to learn a Indonesia phrase and I can see you did a lot study. I will learn from you haha. Look forward to your next post.
ReplyDeleteahahhaha no waay, Hao. It was my reading list in the previous term assignment :P
DeleteHi Ika, I really like your title and it's very interesting. You also do a lot of extra reading. I can't wait to see you future post! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Hongyan, thank you, believe me I did not do anything extra, it was just the previous reading from last term assignment :D
DeleteNice post Ika, the first image you used captivated me and made me more curious to want to read on.
ReplyDeletethanks, Bola. the shrimp seems good at hiding, right? lol
DeleteVery good write up... creative too
ReplyDeleteam trying too , George. thank you
DeleteHi Ika, I like the title of this blog and it arouses my interest to read through. Also, nice picture attracts my eyeballs!
ReplyDeletethanks Leo
DeleteHi Ika.... Your first post is really well-written and organized. I like your reference to the use of colours to attract the reader attention to important features or facts. Bright colours are meant to do that job ;)....Your metaphor using the proverb is really expressive. It's a good way to show your point. Overall, I like the blog and its layout. Nice start. Keep the good job, Ika.
ReplyDeleteThanks Yumnaaa, I think I need to learn how to generate and structure my ideas, hope you can help with that wkwk
Delete