This is mainly intended for students on WBS3730
I have been following the work of my advisee students on the first module for BAPP Arts. I thought I would like to give some general feedback to them, and any other student on WBS3730 (the first module).
In looking through hundreds of Blogs and comments I think some examples of good practice have emerged for me, and I would like to share these with you to help you, and to stimulate your thinking on these themes. It may be worthwhile to spend the time to look across the whole BAPP Arts Blog-sphere (even previous years) to see if what I am saying holds true for you. I would be really happy to discuss.
Engagement
I believe that the frequency of blogging and commenting vary considerably across the BAPP Arts Blog-sphere, and this can be due to a whole range of factors. But in terms of the quality of thinking and the development of ideas and skills, I think I can see a direct correlation between those who blog and comment frequently and good quality work. Testing out ideas, honing skills, reflecting on what others say … all lead to developing intellectual skills that come through in the quality of work. So engaging the Blog-sphere is very worthwhile.
Quality of Blogs and Comments
Again, there seems to be a great range of stylistic approaches to Blogs and comments. One of the greatest challenges is to be supportive while maintaining a critical perspective on what someone is Blogging. It is too easy (and there are quite a few examples) of individuals simply saying ‘yeah, I like you Blog’. Far harder is to find a mature and critical, yet supportive approach to someone’s Blog. There are some great examples of this, some from very early on in the semester, so do go and search them out and form your own views.
Using comments to improve the skills of critique
I have found some excellent examples of Blog comments. Tracking back through an individual’s commenting I can see some individuals developing their critical skills (assessment; evaluation; reflection). It would be very worthwhile to explore different people’s comments to see these developing skills and to learn from their practice.
Commenting to encourage feedback on your Blog form others
At a basic level, I can see very clearly that individuals who are commenting frequently are also getting far more comments back. So in addition to benefitting from the critical practice of commenting, some individuals are also getting a tremendous amount of feedback from others because they are engaged and commenting frequently.
Supporting others
Notwithstanding the theme above, there are also some great examples of people lending support and encouragement to others via their comments. It is a professional dilemma that we are, in the same moment, competing (for work, for grades, for recognition) and cooperating (to develop our support networks). The earlier we are in our careers (whatever the field or discipline) the more we need support. Early career professional therefore (I believe) need to get into the habit of constantly growing professional networks, and consciously improving current networks. Giving real support to others through comments is an easy way to grow you professional network and to practice the skills needed.
Working with the Conventions
Lastly, one of our ideas about professional ‘practice’ is that it is largely made up of iterative practices (practices that develop over time). These can be built on ‘conventions’ (the way it is done now) and ‘conventional knowledge’ (what we all know in a given field or discipline). So within our Blogs we can reveal and discuss conventions; our shared experiences; our shared knowledge. A small number of Blogs have been successful it demonstrating how the ideas being discussed relate to conventions (either conforming to, or arguing against the conventions). Being aware of, and being able to relate our ideas to the conventions, is an important professional attribute. Simply having a view on something is largely irrelevant. How it compares or contrasts with conventional knowledge and perspectives is far more worthwhile and useful (?).
Final thought. Emulate, don’t copy! The observations and comments above are to say ‘go and find examples of what I am suggesting and say whether it makes sense to you’. In the past I have included links to examples, but I think it is more useful for you to find these yourself. Where you find examples of good practice, engage that individual in discussion, they have something you want! If you can learn from their approach then do so. To emulate good practice is a great method of learning. I hope this Blog post is of interest and helps, but it would be great also to know of other good things you have come across, or if you disagree with something I have said (academics really do like people disagreeing – we like it - that’s why we encourage it!).
Alan I think reading through this has put a different light on blogging for me sadly before I saw it as a bit of a chore but reading your post has made me view blogging more as a social thing which is a productive way of learning and socialising together.
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry to disapoint you but I cant disagree with anything you have said it makes a lot of sense.
recently I haven't managed to get onto the computer and blog because a friend very close to me died so haven't been very focused so sorry about that but today I have managed to read through yours and other peoples blogs and things are starting to come together and ideas are starting to appear so thank you for this.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteIronically, out of the entire post the bit that really resonated with me was the very last sentence!
"...if you disagree with something I have said (academics really do like people disagreeing – we like it - that’s why we encourage it!)."
This made me realise that this is something I have been avoiding. I don't feel as comfortable disagreeing with an advisor as I do with a fellow student. This links directly to Adesolas recent inquiry into the lack of comments on her blogg, and not wanting to disagree with a "superior" is one of the potential reasons she listed.
It's great to be reminded that we can disagree with you, and not only that, but that it's encouraged!
Having said all that, I'm afraid I agree with you 100%. Everything you've said makes sense. The most interesting point, I feel, is the "commenting to encourage" point. It's totally true, a strange sort of currency develops and you start to feel a loyalty to certain bloggers. You feel that you owe certain people comments because they took the time to comment on your blog, and this is something we can capitalise on.
One thing about blogging that has surprised me is that it feels like you develop micro relationships with people through reading what they've written and comments they've made. You almost go as far as deciding who you do and don't "like", based on their writing. This is slightly balmy of course, because I've never met a lot of the blogging community and to judge them purely on a blogg seems silly...and yet I do it!
Thanks Alan - the challenging bit is to apply some of these insights to our own blogs - we are all in this together.
ReplyDeleteDialogue in the final campus sessions and conversations I have had over the last week bring out how complicated and yet liberating undertaking degree level education can be to individuals. As I discussed in the social networking session for Module 1, the reality of lifelong learning for the 21st century is that individuals DO NOT have an option but are now compelled to take part in developing a capacity to change and the ability to learn throughout life. Beck refers to this as individual 'agency' because there are less support structures in society [http://nextreformation.com/wp-admin/resources/risk-society.pdf]. Blogging is just one way to structure this ability.
These might seem like rather heavy concepts for the lighter idea of blogging, but it is these necessities of life that provoke action AND this capacity for change is one of those necessities. It could be called a mindset that we need regardless of age or occupation. It is finding the time to think about change that is the real challenge. I will probably get it about right by the time I retire... but in the meantime I too can seek to improve my performance.
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of what your are saying here, I can understand completely how the amount of blogging/commenting will reflect in how much you get back (much like what is explained in reader 1 about web 2.0). However, for myself specifically, working on a ship and only having a limited time in port each week it has been hard to keep up to date with every ones blogs. I have been using Google reader as much as possible by saving the page so I can look through peoples posts without being online, then writing my comments in Microsoft word so I can post them at a later date, which is actually what I am doing now! This is working OK but I still don’t feel completely involved.
Further more, I feel like I m missing out by not being able to attend the campus sessions. Some people give an over view of the session on their blog but it is not always as detailed as I would like, hence feeling lost and confused about how to go about some of the tasks.
I would be grateful if you have any ideas on how I can get involved more so I am able to get more feed back on my blog as well.
Emily
Hi Alan
ReplyDeleteWith task 2 I had fallen behind a little, too much reflecting.
But I have noticed that when students are doing the work at home or away and not coming to the campus session. They seem to get more done !?
I don't know if this is a pattern that happens a lot or just within our module.
I then always tend to look at certain blogs who seem to be ahead. To get a clear picture where I am going in my next task.
I have also noticed that the ones that are ahead have created a small community of people who comment on each others blogs regularly.
I can see the importance of commenting now and trying to get in with the conversations.
I have noticed also that I need to be more objective in my comments and really start a debate and not always agree because 5 people have loved the post.
Thanks for the post