Final Presentation: A Synthesis

Final Presentation
By Krystal Demaine and Amy Morrison
Author’s of the Blog “Topics on Blogging”

This blog, “Topics on Blogging”, has allowed these writers to explore the various facets of blogging from heuristic and analytic perspectives. This caveat of experimental and research based analysis affords a broad perspective to develop an informed critique of blogging. When considering the use of blogging in the field of expressive arts therapies, various opportunities are presented, among those include both benefits and limitations. It is overwhelmingly noted that, while blogging offers an opportunity to present work in a public domain, it may limit the variability of personal work that can be comfortably shared (Lee, Im & Taylor, 2008; Hsu & Chaun Lin, 2008). According to Gurak (2008) sincere considerations are placed on the amount of personal work that is to be shared among bloggers alike, as it is offered on a digital platter for the whole world to peruse. Runte (2008) emphasized concerns with regard to informed consent, confidentiality, accessibility and longevity of the blog. Being anonymous is close to impossible and being indexed and therefore searchable is unavoidable within the blog domain. The above points raise particular concerns for researchers committed to protecting their participants and sensitive information including profiles, images, text and resources such as linked information. Notably though, divergent opportunities for sharing and responding to work through blog can generate opportunities for voices to be heard and the little known artists to be mentioned. Although not considered published work, the available and free forum of the blog affords almost anyone with access to a computer either public or private to write and be known, thus from a postmodern perspective varied truths can be continually represented. Pop culture brings the use of blog to the bright lights in the film Julie and Julia (2001), the blog is nearly portrayed as the main subjects’, therapist, savior and creative outlet. This may offer a spring board for others to find solemn in the use of this form of digital media in their own lives.
According to Psychology Today (2010), the role of blog in education has opened up opportunities for students to engage were they otherwise not finding interest or pleasure. Chong (2010) notes that students become engaged in using Blogs as journals, and that it opens opportunities for those to initiate use of computer media in educational research. The realm of blogging is expansive as it can be used not only for posting text but also, image, sound and podcasts. Additionally, the use of blogging in research generates another use for this digital media tool. From a clinical perspective the use of journaling for reflective process and growth is a primary tool. Thus one could deduce a supposed healthy clinical application to blogging, particularly, while one can limit by invitation who can read the blog, securing a certain level of privacy. While the journal or blogging can offer a sounding board, it does not replace those strong interpersonal connections that are made with genuine human contact. Posts in response to blogs are often short and content driven, differing from other forms of social media such as Facebook , MySpace, and SecondLife which are intended to potentially enhance social connectedness. If blogging were to come in a prescription bottle, it would have a big warning label that would say something like “this blog is open to the public eye if one neglects to utilize the important privacy settings they may experience serious personal exposure”. Though privacy is important and can be enabled on digital media tools, there is always the possibility for it to be hijacked and information to be shared or misused unbeknownst by the author. This could however happen with anything, even a manual journal.
In conclusion – the world of blogging can create wonderful opportunities and a free forum to be used in education, research, creative and personal pursuits. Generating opportunities for people to engage in these domains may broaden personal growth but may not create new interpersonal connections. On this project specifically, one limitation for collaboration is that only one author can submit posts, whereas the prezi, wiki or even threaded discussion allow for additional and varied voices to be presented as the author posts their own work. Digital media is expansive and growing each moment. We can embrace what we would like, but must remember the warning signs. Thank goodness for blogs like this that gives us an opportunity to research the wonderful world of blogging!

References:
Chong, E. (2010). Using blogging to enhance the initiation of students into academic research. Computers & Education, 55 (2). doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.03.012
Ephron, N., Lawrence, M., Steel, E., & Robinson, A. (Producers), & Ephron, N. (Director). (2001). Julie and Julia [Motion picture]. United States: Columbia Pictures.
Gurak, L. (2008). The psychology of blogging: You, me, and everyone in between. American Behavioral Scientist, 52(1), 60-68.
Hsu, C. & Chaun Lin, J (2008). Acceptance of blog usage: The roles of technology acceptance, social influence and knowledge sharing motivation. Information and Management, 45(1), 65-74.
Lee, D., Im, S., & Taylor, C. (2008). Voluntary self-disclosure of information on the Internet: A multimethod study of the motivations and consequences of disclosing information on blogs. Psychology and Marketing, 25(7), 692-710.
Runte, R. (2008). Blogs. In J. Gary Knowles & Ardra L. Cole (Eds.), Handbook of the
arts in qualitative research. (pp 313-322.). London: Sage.

Blogs. In J. Gary Knowles & Ardra L. Cole (Eds.), Handbook of the arts in qualitative research.

Runte, R. (2008). Blogs. In J. Gary Knowles & Ardra L. Cole (Eds.), Handbook of the

arts in qualitative research. (pp 313-322.). London: Sage.



Runte (2008) has written a comprehensive chapter on blogs related to artist researchers. Runte outlines the purpose of the blog as an art form in three components; publishing venue, marketing strategy, and virtual community (p.314). The blog is discussed from two points of view, that of the researcher utilizing the blog as a source and from the view point of the blogger in terms of the blog as a research tool. Highlighted are points made to the ethical issues regarding anonymity and availability of stored information as well as concerns of informed consent. Runte confirmed that once a public post is created and published, even if it is later deleted, that it can, indeed, be uncovered and continues to be indexed for searches. Advantages listed are the blog as a project management tool, a personal knowledge management tool, portfolio venue, and networking and dissemination tool (p.320). Runte stated “At minimum, blogs represent an emerging art form that engages a significant portion of the population and so is deserving of attention” (p. 322).

Submitted by Amy Morrison

Rubrics for Blogging

http://facultydevelopmentbgsu.blogspot.com/2005/11/rubrics-to-evaluate-classroom-blogging.html



Above is a link to a blog containing a variety of rubrics to understand and ultimately guage student investment in thier blog entries.

The most useful rubric I found to assess blogging was titled the 7 C's for: Complete, Correct, Coherent, Coordinated, Comprehensive, Concise, and Creative-

This is perfect timing as we are coming upon the end of the semester! What I also found useful were the many different ways educators are placing value on different aspects of the blogging experience and the quality of blog entries. Hope you enjoy the blogging rubric landscape that this blog offers!

Submitted by Amy Morrison

Article Review: Acceptance of blog usage: The roles of technology acceptance, social influence and knowledge sharing motivation.

This author notes that several people use and keep blogs, yet little research has been explored as to why people do this. The authors surveyed 212 blog users and found that 78% of the bloggers enjoy the ease of use and the knowledge sharing aspects of the form, they also comment on an innate social aspect of blogging - that a network of "friendship" is built among the blogger and her readers.

Hsu, C. & Chaun Lin, J (2008). Acceptance of blog usage: The roles of technology acceptance, social influence and knowledge sharing motivation. Information and Management, 45(1), 65-74.

Respectfully Submitted, Krystal Demaine

Article Review: “Who Bloggs? Personality Predictors of Blogging”

The author of this article points to Costa and McCrea (2002)and personality traits which include: neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness to experience and consciousnesses; and examined which of these five traits may be predictors of bloggers. Results indicated that personality does play a role in future bloggers and that those who have a neurotic personality are more likely than those who don't. Additionally, this authors research indicated that women are more likely to fall in this category.


Guadagno, R., Okdie, B. & Eno, C. (2007). Who blogs? Personality predictors of blogging. Computers in Human Behavior, 24(5), 1993-2004.

Respectfully Submitted, Krystal Demaine

Article Review: Voluntary self-disclosure of information on the Internet: A multimethod study of the motivations and consequences of disclosing infor

This article came from a marketers need to understand the consumer, which requires the facilitation of two way communication. While the marketer realizes that the consumer is hesitant to disclose personal information - the marketer believes that type of information is required to best meet the needs of the consumer. Through a multi method approaches researches examined what invites certain consumers to volunteer personal information, the author indicates three areas of of a consumers personality that may lead to self disclosure.

Lee, D., Im, S., & Taylor, C. (2008). Voluntary self-disclosure of information on the Internet: A multimethod study of the motivations and consequences of disclosing information on blogs. Psychology and Marketing, 25(7), 692-710.