1. BLOGGING A Research and Resource Repository

2. What is a blog? • A reverse-chronologically ordered sequence of entries on a particular topic or concept. • Individual entries written, usually by one author. • Links and uploaded documents enabled. • Available for a World Wide Web audience. • Comments on posts enabled to generate discussions.

3. Uses for a blog • Journal – health, spiritual, travel, or other types of reflective journals • Expert source of information – sharing individual expert knowledge • News and media • Educational – a variety of uses in education • A repository of resources

4. What is a repository? A repository is place for storing information.

5. Why a research and resource repository? • Tertiary students and teachers undertake great volumes of research and reading. • Research and resources come from many various locations. • Research and readings are done at many different times and in many different locations. • Research and readings come from many difference sources and authors. • Research and resources need to be easy to find.

6. So…why a research and resource repository? • Students and teachers can link articles and research they have found to a post in their blogsummarising the important of the research to their current study. • Downloaded copies of research and readings can be uploaded and stored in a blog to keep safe and on hand. • Make citation easier when completing assessment tasks. • Allows a teacher to see the progressive research and reading of a student in their course.

7. So…why a research and resource repository? • Keep notes on very relevant resources for easy recovery. • Teachers can make it a requirement that posts have to be made for each set reading so that reading student blogs will then show evidence of course task completion. • There are may many more benefits for blogging in this area.

8. Examples – E-learning Queen • http://elearnqueen.blogspot.com/ • A comprehensive blog on e-learning - Susan Smith Nash looks at all kinds of technology that contribute to e-learning. - Shares podcasts and videos on the issues facing e-learning and its development - Has links to downloads of free articles, ebooks, tips, essays, flowcharts and other guides.

9. Examples – Stephen’s Web • http://www.downes.ca/ • Stephen is a prominent Canadian researcher who has chosen to use a blog to share valuable research, publications, newsletters, articles and links with theWorld Wide Web. • Chat and discussions take place here between many researchers and educators.

10. Examples – Dissertation Research • http://www.dissertationresearch.blogspot.com/ • Provides resources for research purposes, reference materials, online expertise, development in writing and other skills. • Posts point to and discuss various resources to assist students looking to make sense of research materials. • Assist in developing writing and publication practice.

11. Examples – Information Wants to be Free • http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/ • A librarian puts her experiences into a blog that is specific and detailed in its real-life examples of the impact of technology. • Shares a huge amount of bookmarked resources. • Presentations available for viewing and further information. • Research into technology in education – case study examples possible.

12. Examples – E-research for Education • http://blogs.usyd.edu.au/eresearch/dataresources/ • A blog from the University of Sydney that explores the implications, policies and methods of researching online. • Often looks at and particular quotes relevant literature, providing good links to information on some implications for e-learning.

13. Examples – eSchool News • http://www.eschoolnews.com/ • Technology news for todays educators using technology. • Shares various resources and looks into much research on e-learning and educating with technology. • Links shared to other resource and research centres.

14. Possibilities are endless… • Blogs are so diverse in their setup and production, educators can use them as a tool for anything but as a tool to reflect on resources and research, it could prove of great value. • When writing an assessment task, someone could often end up thinking “where is the evidence to support that point I just made?”. If the student has a great record of their research in a blog and their reflections on each article or publication, finding the evidence needed is going to become so much easier.

15. Ownership… • Individual blogging on research and resources gathered adds to the profile of a person. A position on a particular topic or argument can be formed when a student is asked to reflect more critically on articles of relevance to their study. • Pursuing further study after an initial degree may become more common if students form and grow a love of their topic of interest by blogging about it… their blog could become their lifelong specialisation.