A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine feature article or a digital news article depending on the content. What makes it unique however is that it is personally published without needing permission from anyone except the author. The author becomes the publisher and determines what will be posted, which is the digital term for being published. The authors of blogs are Bloggers.
Now that we have established what a blog is, what does any of this have to do with Connected Educators? Blogs are having a profound effect on Journalism most specifically, and other industries in general. Blogs are becoming more than just a tool for information. By being able to comment in real-time about a post, the readers become part of the narrative. They give voice to support, objection, clarification, expansion, and validation in their comments. They help to immediately define, shape, and explain topics through their comments. None of this was ever possible in the print media, with the exception maybe of “Letters To The Editor”. It is that ability and power, which the blogger gives to the audience that connects them.
Thought leaders can express their ideas for immediate feedback, so that they may reflect and adjust. Readers may respond, reflect and often add a blog post of their own. The give and take; reflect and respond; adjust and refine abilities of the audience and Blogger are all part of a collaborative learning experience. Collaboration is the key to connectedness for educators especially.
Where do Bloggers come from? At first many education Bloggers came from the ranks of authors and speakers from education. They were comfortable with public exposure and writing, as well as technology, so it was an easier transition. Later, more and more educators began to get comfortable with the idea of blogging as a result of their commenting on blogs, as well as public discussion groups on the Internet. The fact that they were able to write their thoughts in a public venue and have them validated by other professional educators turned out to be a great incentive to go further. This only strengthened the voice of education Bloggers with the experience of practicing professionals.
As the community of education Bloggers grew, so did the audience. Many Administrators, who were leery of public exposure, began to step up and blog. Parents in need of a clearer understanding of the system began to blog. Finally, students themselves, the very focus for which education exists began to join in with their voice. A big contributing factor was the growing use of Twitter as a social Media tool. It is micro-blogging, blogging in small bursts. As people tweeted more and more, gaining a following, they found a desire to say more than 140 characters could express. Blogging applications like WordPress, and Blogger simplified the process of establishing a Blog site. A comfort with writing for an audience, and an ease with technology led to more educators climbing onto the train of connectedness and collaboration.
The result of all of this Blog evolution and proliferation has had a great effect on Education. It has made public the good, the bad, and the ugly of education. It has created that transparency that so many people have talked about. It is openly discussing what needs to be talked about by practicing educators and thought leaders. Blogs are connecting educators with thought leaders and administrative leaders in a way that could never before be accomplished. Education theorists can open their ideas to practitioners for analysis and critique. Practitioners can share their victories and conquests, and hopefully their failures as well. It is through the analysis and reflection of all of this that we can improve to move forward.
To be part of the change, educators need to be part of the process. They need to connect, comment and contribute wherever possible in our connected community of educators. That is where our voice as educators is the strongest. Connectedness is our best chance for positive change that is not mandated, or legislated, but rather collaboratively established.
Blogs offer a daily snapshot of what is happening in education. Blogs offer educators a public platform for discourse, and the ability to comment and affect change in a system that needs to change in order to be relevant in a world of fast-paced, technology-driven evolution. After the Blogs have dealt with the heavy lift, the printed Journals of Education report it. Educators need to connect to better communicate, collaborate, and create in order to more effectively educate students, and even more importantly continue to be educated.
Terrific post Tom! It is not an understatement to say that Blogger and Twitter have changed my life, personally and professionally. Blogging keeps me engaged as a learner and as a relevant contributor to educational thought. Like countless others, blogging provides the foundation for my PLN interactions. Here is one of my favorite recent post about blogging, it comes from Steve Wheeler, http://goo.gl/G74erD
And here is my recent post on compelling reasons to be a blogger: http://goo.gl/5j0rBi Thanks again Tom. You are an awesome conduit for connected learning and I appreciate being able to share in your conversations.
Reblogged this on The Echo Chamber.
Blogs present the opportunity for people who have lots of experience, but no voice, to share their knowledge. Today, a Spanish Instructional Assistant in our Resource room was talking about testing in Spanish and English. Even if a child is advanced in English in school, his or her academic score might be different were they tested in their native language. I suggested that Mrs. M. write a blog post about this! Imagine if we all shared our insights and experience. We might make education a better place.
Reblogged this on eduglean and commented:
The more I reflect on my role in my school, the more I learn there is more to learn.
In the past 4 years I have made an intentional effort to glean from – via blogs and twitter – educators and administrators who offer ideas, successes, and failures.
This is the first ‘reblog’ I have done on eduglean. I have read Tom’s posts for a long time and his words here are concise and composed. His argument for educators blogging is right on. So, Tom, thank-you for your post – I appreciate your thoughts.
Reblogged this on Vanessa's Blogueria and commented:
an “about blogging” companion piece to @CogDog’s command to stop dithering and just blog. I think I posted it here but can’t remember. Nebbish quote comes to mind: one of these days I’ve got to get organized (my addition: but may not live that long)
Awesome post, I will write about your thoughts about blogging in Dutch. Because we will be starting a new project on Kennisnet.nl with blogging with teachers. You did explain why we blog. Thanks for that. Cannot find a mention of Creative Commons License, hope you not mind my citations of your blog?
Jaapsoft
Anything I write is intended to be shared. If you are willing to translate it in order to share with other countries, I not only give you my permission, but I give you my thanks as well.
Thank you for the post. Your post is letting us see how blogging is helping educators connect and evolve. I am still taking baby steps towards blogging and connecting. I am more convinced then ever.
[…] Blogs and Connected Educators. […]
[…] Blogs and Connected Educators. […]
[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
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[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
Great post, and right in line with my thoughts!
[…] – yet. I do not engage in conversations on social media -yet. But as @tomwhitby pointed out here Blogs and Connected Educators, blogging is a critical step towards […]
[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
[…] A Weblog, or a Blog, as it has become to be known, is a form of writing that entered the scene with the advent of the Internet and personal publishing. It could be described as a digital magazine f… […]
[…] Follow Toastmasters blogs (read and comment). eg Pathways Experience Blogspot …the importance of blogging … […]