The Potential of Blogging and Training

I did not realize the full potential of training and blogging until I read the chapter on blogging. Until this course I had always thought that a blog was an online diary, and I suppose it can be and is for some; However, it can also be used for so much more.


I think that facilitators who encourage their students to participate in blogs are very 'future forward', and that the overall idea of blogging as a whole is very creative.

I believe that blogging has the ability to enhance the overall quality of education provided as well as provides a different method of learning to help capture the overall learning needs of a larger population (meaning they have a blended learning experiences and those that may benefit from an online environment have that opportunity [i.e. shy student]).

Students who are encouraged to create their own blogs, to research and link with others' blogs, and to participate in course blogs are being given an opportunity to maximize their learning experience because the resources they use are more involved.

The chapter mentioned that blogging can lead to an improvement in critical writing skills. I agree with this. Knowing that your work has the potential to be critiqued by an unlimited audience most likely will make one pay closer attention to the final product. As well, when reading and commenting on anothers blog, skills are learned to make comments more 'politically correct' - these skills can be transfered to many aspects of life.

Reading about how classes have had authors participate in their blogging experience (related to that book) was wonderful. As a student, knowing that the author is "listening in" would not only make the learning experience more memorable, but also more meaningful. This example really made me think about how small the world can be, about how easily we might connect with each other and share our ideas. Blogging holds vast potential in this regard.

I think that blogging can also open up opportunities in terms of feedback. An instructor has the ability to post questions and view responses. Based on answers, the instructor will be able to tell whether or not the learners have grasped the necessary meaning of the course. Also, the instructor can post questions on how to make a course better. Anybody might comment and the instructor may receive some ideas for improving the content or method of delivery.

I have learned that blogs can be either an individual experience or a group experience. It enables freedom of expression, and if done properly (thought involved) opens a world of potential in terms of communication.

The idea of blogging and training is still new to me. However, seeing how great a resource it has the potential to be, makes me believe that blogging cannot be ignored by a facilitator, it should be USED.

The internet is a wealth of resources, and I don't think I fully understood this until now. As facilitators it is our responsibility to help our learners better themselves, and in my opinion, this means making use of as many resources as possible (of course within reason). Blogging is only one of those sources of knowledge, but it is an important one and cannot be ignored.

I am happy to have read about how blogging has been used by others in their classrooms. It has given me new insight into training methodologies as well as made me think about how I might bring my instruction into the future (where it should be!)

Until next time!!