Blogs

//Your space on the web//
 * BLOGS**

**What it is**

A blog, a shortened version of the term “Web log”, is an online chronological collection of personal commentary and links. Easy to create and use from anywhere with an Internet connection, blogs are a popular form of Internet publishing and have become an established communications tool. Blogging has evolved from its origins as a medium for the on-line publication of personal diaries to a respected vehicle for editorials on specific topics**.**


 * When to use it**

Blogs are usually run by individuals (or groups in some cases) who use them to spread knowledge, experiences and points of view about specific subjects. Blog readers are encouraged to submit opinions and questions regarding blog posts and an online discussion may derive from there. In all cases, the owner retains control over the blog's content and opinions**.**


 * How it is applied**

Once the blog is set up (see technological considerations) individuals can access the blog through a normal link. The blogging process starts when the blog owner(s) generate posts that may include text, video, presentations, photos, etc. Posts are published in the blog's homepage and are also fed to subscribers' mailboxes or via RSS, a simple syndication mechanism through which new information automatically comes to you either through a specific system (RSS reader) or via email. Blog readers and subscribers can then access the post and comment on the content published.

**Using blogs at the organizational level**

Blogs can be used as tools for knowledge sharing in everyday workplace activities. Blogs can be used in these contexts to:
 * Deliver news and updates regarding a particular programme or activity to internal or external audiences (e.g. the Human Rights Council, the Social Forum or other events)
 * Request peer assistance on specific problems or issues an individual or team may be facing (see Peer Assist)
 * Request specialists to develop content on a regular basis and open this content for Q&A.
 * Electronic portfolio or repository of materials produced by groups or individuals in a given area (e.g. legal advice on NGOs laws; training materials; tools to mainstream gender in human rights work, etc).

Blogs can serve to foster discussion around workplace matters but in order to make this happen, care should be taken regarding the blog owner and his/her administrative relation to potential readers/commentators.

Blogs can also be used as knowledge sharing and assessment tools in the context of learning activities. In this scenario uses for blogs include:


 * Regular updates of training course schedules and activities.
 * Content update during the course: blogs are particularly useful for presenting multimedia and linking the learning activity with the "external world" of knowledge available beyond the activity itself.
 * Controlled discussion of controversial or unclear issues related to the topic of the learning activity. Typical situations may have to do with discussing the "**how** to implement" or "**why** should we implement" **what** has been learned during the activity.

**What to consider**

Technological considerations


 * You will need a place on the net to host your blog. Popular blogging platforms are www.blogger.com, www.typepad.com and [|www.wordpress.com].
 * Blogs can also be set up for internal use through the OHCHR Intranet (please contact intranet@ohchr.org for more information).
 * Other tools for this purpose include Drupal, Moodle and Joomla.
 * In order to include multimedia features, the easiest path is to make use of existing Web 2.0 services such as Youtube, SlideShare, Scribd, Flickr, etc. All these sites allow easy embedding of their content into your blogs.

Methodological considerations
 * Clearly explain the purpose of the blog.
 * Cover a well-defined topic and end the post with a question.
 * Ask structured, opened-ended questions that focus on people's experiences.
 * Avoid passive invitations such as ‘Comment’ in favour of questions such as “what do you think?” and “do you have other examples?”
 * Use content from related discussions as inspiration for blog posts.
 * Ask experts to write periodic posts and answer questions from readers.
 * Always check facts and spelling
 * Less is more: keep it simple. Short, concise text is easier to read and digest.
 * Posts can be described by using category tags. Organize your posts meaningfully with these keywords or categories so that you and your readers can easily find older posts.
 * Blogs where individidual opinions can be identified may deter participants from expressing their opinions openly.

**An example**

The International Training Centre of the ILO launched a learning and technology blog (www.itcilo.wordpress.com ).This is a practical technological tool to develop digital literacy and to raise critical awareness on new learning methodologies and technologies among ITC-ILO staff and interested constituents. The blog is built on three objectives.

1) monitor up-to-date learning and training methodologies and technologies available through the Internet 2) identify relevant methodological and technological resources to enhance learning and training activities 3) blog on a weekly basis on best learning methods and tools to inform and assist interested colleagues

In less than two years the blog was visited by more than 30.000 people. What was originally intended to be an internal staff development tool became an important resource for external partners with a specific interest for learning methodology and technology.


 * Where to learn more**


 * ITCILO blog: []
 * Pedagogical classification of blogs: __ [] __
 * Pedagogy behind blogs: []
 * Blogs in higher education: []
 * Multilingual blogging: [] and []
 * Knowledge Sharing Toolkit: []
 * To learn to embed pictures and videos in your Word Press blog, click []
 * Video tutorial on WordPress []