Blogging and Learning

by Frank Girolami

Blogs are an important part of today's Internet. Some add to the collective body of knowledge, others are for fun. Some are long, others short. Some are professional, but others are personal. Some are topic/niche specific, while others are merely a collection of random thoughts.

Self-Directed Learning

Given that learning is more important than ever, using blogs is one way to fuel personalized professional growth. As an important informal learning tool, blogs represent the shift from classroom-based learning to self-directed network learning. They , blogs are a wonderful example of how learning occurs all the time and at any time. In his blog, Tom Haskins states, "… bloggers are self-directing their own learning process, monitoring their own progress, synthesizing their own meaning, and constructing idiosyncratic mental models."

Blogging as Learning Activity

Bloggers form a topic-centric community of learners for the sake of learning, support, and dialogue. Blogging involves three primary actions: reading, writing, and commenting. Writing a blog isn't necessary, but people are surprised how much they learn from reading and commenting. After all, this cyber-interaction with others stimulates the necessary reflection that could lead to possible improved performance.

Not only are blogs topic-centric, they are also learner-centric because the learner's actions and desires are a fundamental key to professional growth. The learner decides what to read. The learner shares experiences and resources. The learner stimulates discussions. With those thoughts in mind, this type of learning may be for the intrinsically motivated.

Getting Started as a Blogger

There's a big Internet out there. If you want to join the ranks of blog readers, where do you start?

• First of all, Google is a great learning provider leading each of us to valuable information. If you're interested in training and instructional design, key phrases like training blogs, instructional design blogs, and e-learning blogs are helpful.
• Many blogs also provide links to other blogs, so follow the trail. Take a look (warning! shameless plug ahwarning!) atinvite you to look at The FPG Notepad, which provides links to many blogs.
• RSS (real simple syndication) feeds serve as a distribution system for updates and postings. RSS requires a simple add-on at the author's end and a receiver subscription to the feed. Once established, the receiver automatically receives notification through services such as Bloglines or Technorati, and even via personal pages such as MyYahoo and iGoogle.

Why Bother?

Since many STC members work in the learning field, we should be at the forefront of self-directed learning, let alone interacting with other learning professionals. Blogging is an excellent tool for reflecting, learning, interacting, and becoming members of a community of practice. It's our actions that can serve as a model for accountants, project managers, nurses, and many other professions. You may be surprised at the synergistic outcome.

Further Reading

Common Questions and Some Thoughts Around Blogs and Blogging

Top Ten Reasons to Blog and Top Ten Not to Blog

Blogs and Community: Launching a New Paradigm for Online Community?

© FPG Resources, LLC. Permission granted to STC members to use within their organization.