Feedback Thoughts

Being in an online class is much different than being in a physical classroom, being physically there and being able to hear other's talking with their voice instead of the typed word. However, they are both similar, too, in the sense that what we say to others, whether in person or in an online classroom, should be tactfully said, and said with respect. Of course it's good to have people with different opinions and views on readings and discussions, but how we deliver those messages should be nicely worded. If you disagree with someone, that's ok too, as long as everyone is civil, respectful, and receiving those different opinions/views with an open mind.

Throughout my educational career with online classes, I thought it was very strange at first to have these "discussions." I thought, "why do we have to comment on all these other people's posts? It seems like a lot of work." I mean, yeah, it is, but at the same time, commenting on other's posts is the equivalent of verbally talking in an actual, physical classroom.

I've also been one to take things a little bit close to heart. So having others comment on my writing, whether it be a post or an essay or project, I've always felt like the comments would be mean, degrading, and saying that my writing is horrible! But that was never the case - from neither the teacher nor my fellow classmates. It was actually quite refreshing to hear how they viewed what I had to say, how it related to their life somehow, and I always got a different perspective from what they had to say about my writing. If there was ever any criticism, it was always said in a nice way. I would even try to do that, too, while commenting on student's posts - I would always try to relate to it somehow, on a personal level, and tried to nicely give back feedback, in a positive way, which I believe is the best way to give feedback.