Those of us participating in this challenge are not necessarily blogging on professional topics. Of those that aren’t – do you feel constrained in anyway not to speak out on professional topics? I am not saying that you should professionally blog- just wondering if perceptions of risk to career colour that choice. Of those that do post on professional topics- have you ever felt it threatened your career? And even when it’s posts about topics of general interest to the larger profession?
This blog began when I went to a course run at work. I wanted to find out about blogging and podcasting since "podcast" was the word of the year and I had no idea what it meant! So this space began as a place for me. I did occasionally post stuff about librarianship but mostly, this blog is a personal one. Where I brag about my crafts, kids and cooking.
When I went on maternity leave, my blog became my connection with a bunch of scrapbookers and as such was a kind of sanity saving community for me. Since I returned to work it has been a struggle for me to maintain the momentum for a variety of reasons. I no longer have as much time to do crafts. The scrapbooking community has moved more to Facebook. Blogs in general seem to be winding down in favour of micro-blogging.
So to answer Sue's question, no I'm not constrained about posting on professional topics on this blog but it isn't a topic that many of my previous readers would want to hear about continually. I've since joined a professional blog The Diligent Room, and that is where I post about professional stuff. Sometimes. Which brings me to my next point.
I don't feel constrained when I post on Diligent Room. When I began there I informed my boss that I'd be doing this and asked him to let me know if there was a problem with this. I don't blog about the sticky stuff - I'm no good at controversial or pot-stirring type posts.
So far, my posts there have been about what we're doing at MPOW because I figure if I like to hear about other libraries activities then other librarians will like to hear about it too. I tend to blog about what I know and what I feel I am qualified to speak on. In fact I struggle with think posts. I do think about things, but I tend to observe and keep my thoughts to myself. I think I'm afraid of being shot down.
For me, Twitter has become a place for interaction with other librarians. For me, Facebook is more about family and friends. Different tools for different communities. At least, that is how it has evolved for me.
Interesting question and I enjoyed reading your response. Funnily enough Penny, I am spending less time on Facebook. I don't really feel like I am part of the scrapping community given I hardly scrap. I too have noticed that there is a lack of blogging going on and I guess as you pointed out micro blogging is playing its part in that.
ReplyDelete#blogeverydayinjune has seen a rush of both blogging and micro-blogging (about the blogging) so it's hard to see one being superseded by the other at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI think many of us seem to be active in different spaces for different reasons - I am new to Twitter (very new), settled into a rhythm and pattern with Facebook, an active user of Linkedin and currently an active blogger and commenter(and always an active blog reader, I just usually lurk more and say less).
One of the many things I'm enjoying about this June challenge is watching the development of everyone's posts - whether they are personal or professional and the commenting and cross commenting often then leading off another round of posts on a different topic.
Great post Penny, my brain is starting to sag from all the food for thought it has been receiving this month :-)
Yep, interesting. I have a professional blog and a scrapbook one. Lately I have been been posting more on my professional blog than scrap one. Our school has an ultranet on which I have both a 'teacher' blog/portfolio and a professional learning blog/portfolio. On the professional one I am expected to post of professional development, reading reflections..... I just can't get into twitter...but face book is a 'go to' space now.
ReplyDeleteInteresting comments. Personally, I have found Twitter much more interesting and useful than Facebook. Facebook seems so much more personally intrusive. My blog is languishing a bit from lack of time more than anything else but I still read quite a few blogs (although mainly on subjects other than scrapbooking these days). Many of them are far more infomative than the TV news (which admittedly, isn't a high hurdle to jump these days!)
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