University of BirminghamBlogging in a Managed Environment

Stephen Clarke, Head of eLearningUniversity of Birmingham

What is a blog?BlogA blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are written in chronological order and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) and are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.

As of September 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 106 million blogs.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

BlogA blog (a portmanteau of web log) is a website where entries are written in chronological order and commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.

Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on art (artlog), photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting) and are part of a wider network of social media. Micro-blogging is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts.

As of September 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 106 million blogs.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Educational BloggingWeblogs in the ClassroomBlogs provide a communication space that teachers can utilise with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom.

DefinitionBlog/WebLog: a web page containing brief, chronologically arranged items of information. A blog can take the form of a diary, journal, what's new page, or links to other web sites.

Peter Scott, Internet Librarian 2001

Weblogs in the ClassroomBlogs provide a communication space that teachers can utilise with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom.

DefinitionBlog/WebLog: a web page containing brief, chronologically arranged items of information. A blog can take the form of a diary, journal, what's new page, or links to other web sites.

Peter Scott, Internet Librarian 2001

From an education perspective the availability and ease of use of blogging software makes creating Weblogs a viable classroom activity and a means for teachers to communicate with other teachers.

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/

From an education perspective the availability and ease of use of blogging software makes creating Weblogs a viable classroom activity and a means for teachers to communicate with other teachers.

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/

Educational Blogging

Is it all ‘win-win?’• Blogs have educational value• But there are risks

On the nature of risk…

• Most human activities involve risk• Innovations are particularly risky• Risk aversion slows innovationBUT• Poor risk management reverses innovation• Risk management is about recognising risks

and guarding against them

Good Blog Bad Blog

• A few examples of blogs• These blogs contain both positive and

negative features• Opinions may vary

Blog One

Blog One

• Focused on learning• Core part of the course– May be assessed– Archived, supported etc– Maintained throughout course– Safe and Secure

Blog Two

Blog Two

• Good quality• Builds cohesion• Enhances student life• Can be transient• Independent of learning activities

Blog Three

Blog Three

• Disrespectful• Rude• Spreads a poor image• University can not intervene• Created by students

Blog FourDisplaying all 8 posts by 3 people.Post #11 reply xxxxx wrote on ……..I gather there was some confusion about xxxxx in the 2nd year lecture last week. ...............................................................................................……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Send Message

• A student wrote on ………..• hmmmm...i reckon we can solve 99 per cent of ……. problems with beer...including …………!!!

• Send Message • Post #4

Blog Four

• Could cause offence• Contains material that could be regarded as

‘core’ content• Learners could lose access• Created by staff

Further Risks

• Universal loss of servicehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6914843.stm

• Individual loss of service• Facebook is now banning names such as– Lord (20)– Gay (11)– Beta (0)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7067150.stm

Moving Forward and Managing Risks

• All activities have some risk• Agree an acceptable level of risk• Manage the risks

Good Blogs

• Secure, safe and reliable• Inappropriate use can be stopped• The institution– Controls access– Sets the ‘acceptable use’ policy

• Support institutional goals

Bad Blogs

• Are a fact of life• Institutions need to maintain distance• Should not be imposed on learners

Conclusions

Blogging in a Managed Environment:• Supports Good Blogs• Protects Users• Protects Content• Carries Responsibility