I can understand why people use blogs for different reasons. For example I would say that for the blog I approach it as 'Self-sufficient blogging'. I am neither avoiding or encouraging comments but instead use the blog as a central resource to record key finding or thoughts that I feel may support TMA's later in the course and if others find the content useful then I am really pleased to share this.
However (and importantly for me), I see the activity threads within the course for H800 as an extension of the blog and I like to interact and share thoughts/ideas/experiences and views, but chose to do this in the threads where they allow a full conversation across the learners as a group rather than independantly in multiple places. If comments were made on all the individual blogs as much as we do in the threads it would take a load of time to read and review each of our blogs. Plus the threads offer a building of ideas and summarised points.
I am currently in the process of trying to encourage my learners (who are apprentices) to blog to reflect on their activities at work, as this will offer ideas on evidence that can be developed to demonstrate their competence. So initially the hope is that this will be a 'self-sufficient' blog. This is then supplemented by chat-rooms and forums on our VLE. However, I really am engaged with the power of personal learning networks and connectivism so would like to reach a point where blogs are 'support networks'. This is important for my cohort of learners which totals approx. 100, all remote from each other and seen by a tutor face-to-face every 6 weeks over a 12-18month period. The use of blogging is a valuable tool within the blended delivery.
I find that not many of my learners currently do blog, but they are aware of them. I think the lack of uptake is much due to confidence or fear of negative comments. Therefore an initial target for me is for them to to set up a personal blog. I then hope to demonstrate the benefits this will offer in terms of supporting:
a) helping them identify opportunities to develop evidence to progress their competence qualification
b) make them feel part of a larger community. The learners are more engaged and comfortable with using the VLE forums so I may look to create an activity on this forum on 'the benefits they feel they can gain from using a blog' and then sharing a link to this on the forum thread as part of the activity.
References:
Lucinda Kerawalla , Shailey Minocha , Gill Kirkup & Gráinne Conole (2008) Characterising the different blogging behaviours of students on an online distance learning course Learning, Media and Technology, 33:1, 21-33, DOI:10.1080/17439880701868838
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Thanks for providing blogging inspiration, Tom - you have such a clear voice in your writing.
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Thanks, Tom. That is a very clear summary of how you feel blogging fits into your own learning strategy. I think you bring up an important point about the fear of negative remarks. I've often thought about writing a blog about literature and creative writing, one of my main interests, but some of the trolling I've seen on comment threads has played quite a large part in putting me off.
I don't feel nervous about it in this context, though, because I know that the comments are seen by logged-in users, whose names and identities are very clearly attached to their comments. students perhaps need to be assured that they have a 'safe' space to express themselves.