Blogging, like most forms of communication, can serve various purposes. It can contribute to both IF’s learning by doing (through recruiting, say) and teaching (by drawing attention to the lessons we have learned by doing).
But it is a fundamental error to value blogging because it might create opportunities for discussion. Blogging might engender discussion, that is true. But not all discussions are created equal. Not all discussions are exploratory; not all are developmental. In order to ensure that they are, IF goes to great length to facilitate its discussions. That is what we do. Discussions on a blog will rise to the level of IF’s other discussions only if and to the extent that they are likewise facilitated.
The notion of blogging as creating opportunities for discussion rests on a quantitative view of communication: the more communication, the better. But that view is fundamentally at odds with the very raison d’etre of IF. Not all opportunities actually lead to discussion, and not all discussions are equally useful.
One Comment
The blog structure is limiting if what you are trying to do is create exploratory conversations. Blogs involve a post and response technology rather than an interactive, fluid, discussion technology. And the focus on chronology, with stories constantly cycling through, assumes that the new stuff is the most newsworthy. Again, not exactly in line with the principles of exploratory discussion. So, that’s a limit too, and it’s built into the technology itself. Yes. And, on the other hand, I have learned a ton by reading the blog posts from my colleagues and responding, reading others’ responses, etc. Blogging, as a type of journaling, encourages personal reflection. So, that’s a part of the exploratory process. I don’t agree with the assessment that blogging’s value relies on a quantitative view of communication –although I see what you’re saying here. Some of that deep personal reflection, validated and responded to by others, is important in building exploratory conversations. I think there are lots of other tools for online interaction that are a better match for the goal of creating space for exploratory conversation, but I wouldn’t want to throw the blogger out with the bathwater… so to speak.