edtech and student services: supporting online learners through blogging
TRANSCRIPT
EdTech and Student Services: Supporting Online Learners Through Blogging
Melissa A. Venable, PhDEducation Writer – OnlineColleges.net
#aln13
The Sloan Consortium International Conference on Online Learning – Orlando, FL – 2013
What is a Blog?
The terms blog and blogging can refer to a type of website that allows for reader feedback and/or a style of writing and content presentation that is informal and usually updated chronologically.
The use of a blogging format to provide resources encourages conversation and an exchange of ideas and information.
What is a Blog?
Typical Features: • Structure: Header, Navigation, Branding,
Content, Widgets, WYSIWIG editors, Themes and Templates, Statistics
• Content: Posts, Archives, Tags, Categories, Images, Text, Author Bio(s)
• Connection: Commenting, Social Sharing Buttons, Links, RSS
Why Use a Blog?
• Flexibility – from an individual journal to large-scale website or course site
• Ease of use – familiar editing options, intuitive administrative interface, quick set-up
• Affordability – many platforms with free accounts with ample storage space and options for customizing
• Accessibility – browser and operating system compatibility, unique URL
• Professional interface – theme and template options, embed multiple file formats
Edu-Friendly Platforms
• WordPress http://wordpress.com/ • EduBlogs http://edublogs.org/ • Blogger http://www.blogger.com/features
• Usability! Find an option that is easy for you to use – so you’re more likely to continue blogging.
• User Community! Look for a platform that other educators, centers, etc. are using. Ask peers for recommendations.
• In-house? Check with your institution’s academic technology center to find out about hosted options. Your school may already have a blog platform and support in place.
Examples of Blogs in Use
• Career Services– University of Oregon Career Center– Rasmussen College Career Services
• Academic Advising– University of Massachusetts – Amherst Undergrad
uate Advising – College of Charleston Academic Advising & Planni
ng Center
Explore how college and university centers (for-profit and not-for-profit) are using blogs to communicate with students. Note the different platforms and range of features used.
Examples of Blogs in Use
• Library and Research Activities– Capella University Library– Stanford University Digital Library Blog
• Learning Skills– University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center– Walden University Online Writing Center
• Technical Support– University of Oklahoma Academic Tech– University of Minnesota Duluth Information Techn
ology Systems and Services
Examples of Blogs in Use
• Financial Aid– Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Admissions– University of Rochester Financial Aid
• Health and Wellness Counseling– Loyola University New Orleans Counseling Center
and Student Health Services– Ohio State University Student Health Services
Getting StartedCreate a Blog Purpose Statement using the following questions … and
refer to it often!
What are your goals?• Identify your audience(s) | What do they need? | What do you hope
to gain? | How often can you publish?What will you share? • Topic Categories | Scheduled Events | Resources | Reports and NewsHow will you share?• Articles | Tweets | Podcasts | Videos | Slide Presentations | Surveys
and PollsWho will contribute? • Director | Counselors and Advisors | Partners (e.g., Employers,
Alumni) | Studentshttp://www.problogger.net/archives/2013/05/24/how-to-create-a-blog-purpose-statement-in-3-simple-steps/
Blog Post Types & Formats
• List Posts (“Top 10…”)• Interviews• Blog Series• Video Possibilities• Reviews (books,
products)• FAQ• Invitations• Guest Posts
• How-to____• News, current events• Profiles• Case Studies• Checklists• Contests• Presentations• Updates
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2011/09/03/52-types-of-blog-posts-that-are-proven-to-work/
Blogging Communities & Resources
• CopyBlogger• ProBlogger• New Media Expo• Career Counselor Technology Forum• TechKNOW Tools Wiki (Academic Advising)• Education Twitter Chats• LinkedIn Groups
Keep the conversation going ...
Contact me!Melissa A. Venable, PhDEducation WriterOnlineColleges.net [email protected]://www.linkedin.com/in/melissavenable/