This blog is designed for online educators that are interested in collaborating and having an active forum and discussion regarding pertinent topics in online education.
For those that are new to
blogging, two best practices include sharing brief and direct thoughts
regarding the topics being discusses so that others will read them and also
coming back often and giving the blog a chance to become a welcome and
enjoyable place to visit regarding issues that come up in the classroom.
A blog is a website that is
regularly updated by one or more persons with images, texts, or videos. Blogs
are usually focused on specific topics and highlight the experiences or
perspectives of the blog’s owners (Byrd, 2017).
There are many advantages of blogs
including that many are free, easy to create, can be password protected, data
regarding views is readily available, and comments and suggestions can be made
to the content (Bozarth, 2010). Online facilitators can use these to share
experiences and have an engaging community when they may otherwise feel
isolated in a non-traditional classroom setting.
Disadvantages include actually
sustaining the blog long term, the posts are longer so fewer people may read
them, and it can seem more formal than other social media outlets (Bozarth,
2010).
There are a number of ways that
blogs can be used for training tools and to increase knowledge. In addition to
viewing what is posted on a blog, most sites also allow for the ability to call
in from a telephone. This allows for increased functionality in training
sessions. The content of the blog can also be locked while the comment section
can be unlocked so trainers can be sure that participants are getting targeted
messages while still getting the benefit of comments and questions. Further,
blogs can also be placed inside of company firewalls when privacy issues are of
concern (Bozarth, 2010).
Image retrieved from Pixabay,
(n.d.)
Blog example #1.
·
The first blog can be found at http://joitskehulsebosch.blogspot.com/2016/12/online-facilitation-inspired-by-car.html.
·
The blog focuses on new social learning and has
a few articles referencing online learning.
·
The author posts monthly topics and articles.
·
The blog has links to other reputable sites and
resources and seems to be endorsed by other professionals. There is regular
viewership and training aids that are offered.
·
The content positively affects the blogger’s
reputation as it looks very professional and adds regular insights into
incorporating social media in professional and educational environments.
Blog example # 2.
·
This blog has some great posts and comments regarding
course design and facilitation. This is an important topic in online
facilitation and would be a great benefit to readers.
·
It is a bit older, but the author actively
responded to comments. It looks like a great resource for facilitators.
·
The blog has multiple links to other sites and
resources that are great for facilitators. The author also followed up in the
comment section adequately defending a position that was challenged in the
comments.
·
This positively affected the blogger’s
reputation as he used great research and sources in the blog. He also provided
good follow up and was very responsive to questions.
Blog example #3
·
The third blog can be found at
·
This blog has a number of great facilitation
topics including techniques for leading sensitive discussions. This is a
valuable skill that facilitators need in the classroom.
·
Blogs on various topics are posted regularly and
the company actively follows up with readers.
·
This blog also has links to valuable, credible
resources. Many of the blogging topics are included in live webinars for those
that are interested in real time communication.
·
This is a very education oriented blog that
positively affects the blogger’s reputation. It is clearly written with great
points about addressing sensitive topics, and the introduction to the
credentials of the bloggers at the top were well done.
Blog example #4
·
The fourth blog can be found at https://www.edutopia.org/blog/mindful-facilitation-pbl-laura-thomas.
·
This blog is part of an educational website with
a number of great authors and tips about effective facilitation. Though this
isn’t specifically geared to online groups, it still has valuable insights.
·
Regular posts are occurring every couple of
weeks on this site.
·
The blog has links to a number of reputable
sites and the bloggers’ credentials are listed. It’s also associated with some
school districts to provide greater credibility.
·
The bloggers reputations are positively impacted
as there are many people that follow these blogs and comment below them. The authors
share the number of shares and clicks on each post and it is clear this is a well-read
resource.
Blog example #5
·
The fifth blog can be found at https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/L-and-D-Blog/2014/11/Are-You-An-Effective-Facilitator.
·
This blog gives more of a business perspective
on effective facilitation. Since most educators are preparing students for the
business world, this would be a great blog for them to follow as it crosses the
educational and business worlds.
·
There are regular posts including a great one
about facilitation just a couple of weeks ago.
·
This seems to be a reputable blog as it is
frequented by many big business names. You are required to create a login to
view the comments and participate on the boards, and this seems to be a great
place to collaborate with other professionals.
·
This blog also positively affects the online
reputation of the bloggers as it is linked with many recognizable businesses.
It looks very professional and has links to many other reputable sites and
resources for professionals.
References
Bozarth, J. (2010).
Social media for trainers: Techniques for
enhancing and extending learning. San Francisco,CA: Wiley/Pfeiffer.
Byrd, K. (2017). BlogBasics. Retrieved from http://blogbasics.com/what-is-a-blog/
Byrd, K. (2017). BlogBasics. Retrieved from http://blogbasics.com/what-is-a-blog/
Flickr. (n.d.). Teaching online [Image]. Retrieved from
https://www.flickr.com/photos/125497459@N03/14440759691
Hulsebosch, J. (2016). The new social learning blog.
Retrieved from http://joitskehulsebosch.blogspot.com/2016/12/online-facilitation-inspired-by-car.html
Laskaris, J. (2016). Boosting course design: 5
easy-to-follow course facilitation techniques. Retrieved from https://www.talentlms.com/blog/5-course-facilitation-techniques/
Pixabay. (n.d.). Learning [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/teacher-mentor-coach-coaching-1276277/
Rickenbach, R. (2014). Are you an effective facilitator?. Retrieved from https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/L-and-D-Blog/2014/11/Are-You-An-Effective-Facilitator
Thompson, P. (2017). Lucid meetings blog. Retrieved from http://blog.lucidmeetings.com/blog/a-mindfulness-based-technique-for-facilitating-a-group-through-a-sensitive-discussion
Thompson, P. (2017). Lucid meetings blog. Retrieved from http://blog.lucidmeetings.com/blog/a-mindfulness-based-technique-for-facilitating-a-group-through-a-sensitive-discussion
Wikimedia Commons. (n.d.). Education key keyboard
[Image]. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Education_key_keyboard.jpg
