Welcome to my first post on my grad-class blog. I do have a scarce amount of blogging experience which I should explain up front. This summer I decided to participate in the 23 Things on a Stick program which was my very first venture into blogging. From there, I have actually developed a blog for my school library (http://lourdeslibrary.edublogs.org) which I plan on going live with when school starts on Wednesday.
I guess my reasons for choosing a blog format for my job website fits into the first question for this assignment. First of all, I really like the way a blog allows you to update and post news without having to change the entire site. I plan on using the front page of my blog to post news and such about the library in a timely fashion. Hand-in-hand with that, not so current posts will eventually "disappear" so I do not have to worry about deleting the post about August's new arrivals come October or whatever - it will eventually end up in the archives which is fine. At this point, I do not plan on making my blog interactive. The main reason for this is that this is totally new to the school that I am working in (they did not even have a library homepage when I started) and I know there is some reservations from the powers that be about internet safety and the like. But, besides their concerns, I do not believe that I am ready to be totally interactive. If someone has a comment or suggestion for the library, I advise them to email me with such information. As I get more comfortable with this endeavor, I can definitely see myself opening up to the idea of interactivity. I am already brainstorming ideas such as online book clubs/discussion groups, etc.
As far as my overall opinions of blogging - that is where it gets tricky. While I myself like and use the format, I cannot say that I am a huge fan of all blogs. I guess what bothers me the most is the way that anonymous voices have been given such power in our society. I am all for the First Amendment and a person's right to free speech - however, I believe that with such priviledge comes the responsibility of standing behind what you say and claiming it as your own. Nothing bothers me more than the "comments" section that online newpapers are now using and the fact that no one who posts their thoughts/opinions have to take any credit/blame/responsibility for what they say. I think this is especially important to keep in mind when blogging in an educational setting. Giving children the opportunity to say whatever they want without hlding them accountable for it can be a dangerous thing. That is something that I am currently working on as I think about opening my own blog up to commentary and the like. Having said all that, however, I still am in favor of using blogs (particularly in a school setting) because I think it is important to expose kids to something that appears to be becoming a prevalent (maybe even necessary) form of communication.
I look forward to working with and sharing such ideas with all of you throughout the semester.
8 comments:
You have me all fired up to at least begin a one-sided blog for the library! I like how you are going to post news & updates there. I believe that is something that would help me professionally--thank you.
You mentioned archives and disappearing old posts. Is that something you go in and do individually, or is there a setting in admin that I should go search for? That sounds like a very good aspect of posting news and updates--they remain current, rather than become historical!
Facilitating discussion on topics seems like it should be such engaging and enlightening process.
Yet, I am also concerned, and often irritated, by the prevalent use of anonymous comments, especially when they are located alongside a news article.
When those anonymous comments follow an article they seem to be endorsed by the publication. The Star Tribune has actually started highlighting a posted comment in bubble near the top of the article.
I wonder what message that is sending to readers. It is a good comment by a reputed source, or just funny or especially outrageous.
Good for you, Brad, being bold and starting a library blog, especially when the "powers at be" are not fully cheering you on. I've started one for my media center, too (euemediablog.edublogs.org) and post it through an aggr on my Media home page, though my admin fully supports me. I'm using edublogs and it allows me to prohibit anonymous comments. I so agree that with the right to express our views we have a responsibility for them as well. I think the temptation for inappropriate/joke posts will go down dramatically if the user must identify themselves!
I am using my library blog similar to you, posting events and news. I am also trying to do a little PR for Media Specialists everywhere and adding kind of a my week in review to show what behind the scenes things that LMS's do. There is this constant threat of budget cuts everywhere and I'm trying to do some preventative work. Now... to get someone to read it!
I'm curious about your library blog. Would you mind posting the URL?
Thanks for the post!
While I agree that comments are getting out of hand in our society, I feel that the education setting is going to be the best (and most likly only place) students will learn that what they say anonymously can still affect and hurt others.
Also students posts don't have to be anonymouse? I am not sure if all blogging sites have major securtity, but this site does. You have the option of only allowing those you choose to view and comment on your blog. While it may limit what students say in thier blogg or on thier comments, it would help to teach them that they dont have to "say" every horrible thing that comes to mind. In many ways it can be like a facebook where it is pretty much immpossible to anonymously leave comments. A good thing in my opinion.
You do have a point about the anonymous voices. People are given this “power” to publish comments without standing behind their ideas. On the other side, it does allow people that may not have the social skills to stand up for himself or herself in person to speak out in public.
You have great ideas for blogging in the media center! I am eager to finish my studies and incorporate some of yours and our fellow classmates’ concepts into the media center setting.
Brad,
How did you like the 23 things on a stick? My media generalist at my school worked on this last year and was impressed. Anything you would adjust?
People can hide behind their keyboard and put out comments that they wouldn't dare say face to face for fear of a physical challenge. Too many cowards out there that are gutless. If you can't say it person to person then it shouldn't be written in my opinion.
bp
You have voiced some of the same concerns I have regarding blogs. While we encourage freedom of speech, we as educators must teach proper protocol and enlist the help of parents and administration (the village to raise the child).
If we teach safety and take these precautions we may prevent inappropriate banter and postings. It is also very important to monitor what every student is writing and incorporate what we expect in our syllabus. I hold the traits of integrity, honesty, and tolerance as my classroom motto and my students have alway walked into my room knowing it is their safe zone, thus safety via the internet.
I agree with you about how the interactive feature on blogs, news, youtube what have you allows everyone to chime in with most times not very helpful or insightful comments. This has elevated everyone's sense of self-importance maybe too much!
We have tossed this idea around on our CSS Library site, too, and we have decided that unless we are willing and able to react to the comments, we should not solicit them. And honestly we might be able but not willing to make some of the changes that will inevitably suggested.
Regarding archives, yes, the default is for posts to be moved after one month, but you can change that under "settings" and then "archive."
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