To blog or not to blog…is that the question?
It may be. And, intertwined with this question are probably a few more, like: what is a blog anyways? What am I supposed to be doing on this blog? Is this ‘really’ a blog? Should we be calling it something else? Does our blog fit the standard definition of one? Is there even such a thing as a conventional type of blog in this rapidly evolving era of social technology?
What do I think? Well, let’s start with the first q, what is a blog anyways? According to Wiki, the term blog combines two words, web and log. Basically, it is a personal journal existing on the net, in which one ‘posts’ entries. Because of its interactivity (i.e., people can comment on one’s posts), this promotes exchange, networking, and relations amongst the blog users. As such, blogs can be seen as a form of social networking media.
Traditionally and commonly blogs are personal (i.e., recording the thoughts and ideas of one individual), however, several other types of blogs also exist, such as group or organizational blogs which are used to “enhance communication and culture” within a group.
My take on this is that we, the KTTC, have been striving towards using our blog medium in its maximum potentiality, whereas some groups might simply use blogs as a way to disseminate information about events, we use our blog it to share our thoughts, experiences, perspectives on a range of topics related to knowledge translation and also in relation to being a trainee in this field.
Thus, for me, this website is a group blog belonging to the KTTC, that its members use to do any of the following and potentially more: network with those interested in knowledge translation; becoming familiar with the membership and building relationship amongst members; disseminate activities, updates, opportunities of pertinence to the membership; engage in thought provoking dialogue related to knowledge translation; and intersubjectively develop an academic culture of peer support amongst knowledge translation trainees.
Well, that’s my take on it…What about you? What do you think?
Evelyn Cornelissen 12:02 am on January 11, 2012 Permalink
Thanks Shalini! Being a neophyte in the blogosphere, I don’t have a preconceived notion of what a blog c/should be. I love how you’ve described your perspective on what our blog offers. You’ve captured all the key purposes/benefits that I can think of. I’m particularly interested in the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking dialogue in a peer setting. Keen to hear what others think…
EC
Robin Urquhart 10:32 am on January 11, 2012 Permalink
Yes, thanks Shalini for the post. I have to agree with Evelyn in that I had no preconceived notion of what a blog c/should be before the KTTC, since I didn’t previously participate in one. Nonetheless, after our experience on this one, I have a few thoughts:
1) Because I am new to the blogosphere, I am not quite sure how to interact/work with/feel about this form of communication (while this is certainly not the case for everyone, perhaps others feel similarly?). For one, I really enjoy reading others’ posts, many of which make me think about something a little differently or provide me with a few pointers/tips to use (related to PhD process, etc) yet do not necessarily trigger me to respond. So, if/when I post something that no one responds to, does that mean no one cares or is paying attention, or rather is it just the nature of blogging wherein people read each other’s posts – and sometimes get something from it – much more often than they actually reply?
For KTTC’ers who have not yet posted or responded here (as well as those who have) — is checking the blog from time to time valuable at all?
2) In regards to functions of this blog, I am especially interested in the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking dialogue (as Evelyn said) and to become familiar with the membership/build relationships with other members. For me, I think it would be great to somehow use this forum to let each other know what we’re up to and what our KT interests are.
Robin