Engaged Learning

Blogs – Day 1 – An Introduction

Nov 9, 2009 Social Media & Network Challenge

Week 1: Blogs: Day 1

Blog is short for ‘Web Log.”  So many people have told me that they think blogs are only good for “verbal vomit.”  Yes, that can be true, but that is not how WE are going to use them.  In fact, anyone who uses it correctly uses it for sharing and learning and conversation.

This is written on my blog.  Blogs are made by creating a series of ‘posts.’  For the next few weeks I will write a post every day on this blog.  Hopefully you won’t see this as “verbal vomit” but instead will use it as a chance to learn, ask questions and get answers.

In these posts I will explain how to use and why we would use these different social media and networking technologies.

BB (Before Blogs)

If we want to get information out to a group, a company, association or even extended family, their are two common methods that come to mind.  The first is a newsletter.  Write articles, print them and mail them.  The second is to email them.  Both of these assumes two things: 1) You have their correct mail or email addresses and 2) they want the information you send to them.  Because of the medium and the ’spam’ factor, typically these types of communications only go out no more than once a month.  And if a reader likes or dislikes what they read or has a comment or more to add to the information, there are very limited ways to share it.  And lastly, to get off the list you have to ‘opt-out.’

Blogs

Blogs have turned this method of communication on its head.  Blogs are ‘opt-in’ – only those who want your information will get it.  Thus, the ’spam’ factor is no longer a problem.  Also, when you have information to share, you can share it.  You don’t have to wait until the next printing or the next email blast.  You can share it NOW.  Oh ya – and all past posts (formally called articles) are ’searchable’ and ‘findable’ by topic.  Your readers can make your blog more valuable by adding more information, insights or resources that you might not have included in your post.

The difference looks something like this:

Blog Advantages:

• Two-way
• Constant
• Receive feedback
• Searchable
• Archived
• Interactive
• Conversational
• Smaller, faster updates
• 1: many:many
• Learning increases

This video is a quick, simple explanation of what a blog is.

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The best way to become become familiar with blogging is to use it.  So here is today’s assignment.

TO DO – Create a free blog (Difficulty Level: EASY – Time: 10 minutes)

1. Each blog is centered around a topic.  Pick one.  It does not matter what it is.  It could be around your family, a hobby, a political perspective or your professional career.  You cannot choose incorrectly here.
2. Go to Wordpress.com.  Click on the “SIGN UP NOW” button on the right.  Wordpress will walk you through setting up an account.  I suggest you use a personal email address, not your work email.  Make sure “Just a user name, please” is checked.  Click NEXT.
3. On this next page Wordpress gives you the opportunity to create the address of your blog in the “Blog Domain” field.  You choose what that will be and fill out the rest of the information.
4. You will receive an email (save this) with an activation link.  This is a security measure.  Click on the link to activate your account and then log in.  You will be taken to the authoring side of your blog.
5. From here, if you would like to jump in and look around, go for it.  If not, close the browser and you are done.

BONUS TO DO – At the bottom of every post is a place to make comments.  I encourage you to use the comments on this post below if you have:

• a question
• answers (I don’t need to be the only one to answer your questions)
• an ‘ah-ha’ moment you would be willing to share.  We can learn from each other through these comments.
• more information you would like to share about blogs

Tomorrow: The purposes of blogs and examples.

Tags: Blog, social media challenge