Since the beginning of school, journaling has been implemented into the language curriculum of Arabic and English. Since then, Arabic has not changed the standards of its journaling curriculum. However, English has switched to blogging. This change has many differences compared to journaling, some advantageous, some disadvantageous. Personally, I am quite on board with this new change, and there are many exciting aspects to blogging that I highly would like to mention. However, I must start with some of the disadvantages.

One of the main differences between blogging and journaling is that blogging is typed on a computer on a website called blogger.com, while journaling is written in a personal notebook that only your teacher can see. With journaling, you can write about anything you want, from struggles to ideas, without having to worry about the “World” knowing about your journal entries. The only person who reads your journals is your teacher. This allows you to be able to bond and possibly connect with your teachers on certain issues or principles, and your teacher can possibly help you resolve your struggles in life. But with blogging, it is no longer as personal; everyone will be able to see what you write about. It is not as easy writing about personal issues, as people may judge or criticize you. In addition, blogging requires you to type. This may seem advantageous, but not many people are able to type quickly on a computer. Most people, especially others in the Waldorf School of Jordan, the school that I am in, do not have access to computers and mostly do work on paper.

However, blogging being less personal is also ironically a strength. And for me at least, I prefer typing, as I can type much faster than I can write, and I do not have to deal with the anguish of writing fast that results in very poor handwriting. With blogging, sure it is not as personal, but now talking about certain issues and raising awareness about these issues is more convenient. Instead of having to read your journals aloud to let people know what you wrote about and potentially having to deal with “stage fright,” once you finish writing a blog and publish it, instantaneously any person who has access can view your blog and comment their thoughts. It’s not only your teacher or your classmates who have easy access to your ideas; now anyone can read your blogs, and it can possibly make them more informed or, better yet, impact them! Additionally, instead of having to write five journal entries and having to come up with five unique ideas people may not possibly read about, you now only have to think about writing one topic for the entire week!

In conclusion, the switch to blogging for me personally is a great switch. However, the advantages and disadvantages for me and to anyone are truly subjective. But I really like how blogging allows me to type faster than I write and how I can express myself in front of the world now. In addition to only having to write one per week. If you resonate with my reasons, then don’t fear! Go out into the world and type and express yourself to the world!

-Mohammad Hammouri