Continuing the Conversation

If we think of a weblog (blog) as an online journal, we need to clarify some matters before our blog can sustain itself. In other words, after the initial excitement of creating the blog has worn off, what will motivate and focus us to keep the blog going? Remember that blogging isn't a one-time publication - it's an ongoing reflection, explanation or conversation.

Here are some questions to ask ourselves (again):

• Why am I blogging? Is the overall focus that I have chosen important enough to warrant setting up and sustaining this blog? Do I need a broader focus?
  
• Why am I asking my students to blog? What are the 'big ideas' or learning outcomes that I wish for them to derive from blogging?
  
• Who is the intended audience? (remembering that the blog is 'public')
• How can I gradually expand my audience (e.g. getting parents involved)?
  
• How can I best cater for my audience to encourage them to read and engage with my blog on a regular basis?
• How can I commit to 'feeding' and 'nurturing' my blog? (given that it will die if left unattended)
• What are some ground rules that I need to set for myself (minimum length for posts, number of posts per week/month, number of blogs from other people that I will read each week, etc.)?
• Which blogs will I model my own upon? Do I read other blogs?
• How can I make my blog and each post more visually engaging?
• How can I keep this process simple so that it will be self-sustaining?

When we first start blogging, it's like getting going with a story idea. We might be reluctant to start writing initially, or we could be very enthusiastic about exploring an idea that we have. Either way though, soon after starting we often experience self-doubts, as this creation will be viewed by others. Students will often discard a story draft, claiming that their story 'stinks' (or using other expressions). It's our job as the teacher to help the student nurture the story, and show them ways to refine their work. Similarly with blogging, you need to be ready to experience the lows of dealing with your creation, and have strategies to work past these self-doubts.

The other motivator for continued blogging is getting a reaction from an audience and interacting with your readers. Somehow, you need to encourage ongoing comments (a comment thread) on your blog, otherwise you'll soon get a sense that you are essentially talking to yourself and only yourself. In order to sustain your enthusiasm (and that of your students), you need to schedule time for commenting. By commenting on other people's blogs, you will start to reap the rewards for sowing connections elsewhere.

The big thing to remember is that, like writing a story, no-one gets it right the first time. So too, keep in mind that blogging is more than just a communication tool - it's a growth opportunity, and you can't grow if you don't sow.