1. Professional Development Blogging Tiffany Miller April 28 th, 2008 ITEC 67436

2. Overview Blogging as Distance Ed Activity Participants Schedule Benefits Highlights Survey Results

3. Blogging as Distance Ed Activity Corporate Trainers: Train as many people in as short amount of time as possible Don’t spend any money doing it

4. Blogging as Distance Ed Activity Where does professional and personal development go?

5. Blogging as Distance Ed Activity Blog = an “easy to use website, where you can quickly post thoughts, interact with people, and more.” ~Blogger.comBlogger.com

6. Participants NamePositionLocation Beth BushmeyerSupervisorColumbus, OH Brandy McQuayFacilitatorColumbus, OH Tarisha Mickel*FacilitatorYoungstown, OH Lisa WaltherFacilitatorDetroit, MI Tiffany Miller*Instructional Designer Canton, OH

7. Schedule Bi-weekly week format Sensitive to trainers’ schedules Topics from SelfGrowth.com:SelfGrowth.com Work Wellness Brain Enhancement Stress Management Creativity Enhancement

8. Benefits

9. Highlights Team Bushmeyer Professional DevelopmentTeam Bushmeyer Professional Development:

10. Survey Results What did you like most? We could all make comments when it fit into our own personal schedule. It made it very easy to participate. I have never used a blog before, so it was interesting to see what it is all about. I really liked how we were all able to stay in touch remotely. Communication through e-mails can sometimes be overwhelming. This form of communicating doesn't seem as intense. I liked to read someone's take on the information. It helped me see the information in a new lights I liked the opportunity to share things/ points of interest with others on non-critical topics in a non-critical approach.

11. Survey Results What did you like least? I think that while this form of communication is effective when used, I also think that without the discipline to utilize it, it may slip away. Also the topics were a little bit off of our general interest. I cannot really think of anything I disliked. The only challenge I experienced was in posting the link for my article. Nothing.... it really was fun.

12. Survey Results Would you like the blog to continue? Yes – 2 No – 2 If yes, what other topics should we cover? If we continue to do this in the future I would like to see us focus on topics that will help us to enhance our performance skills - leadership/ time management/ communication skills/ computer skills, etc. Trainer Best Practices. Could also have ties to Personal Excellence Workshop.

13. Survey Results What else can blogs be used for in training/the workplace? It is a great way to chat about policy or things like that after we've read the actual policy - blog about how it affects the unit members. Also great as a way for managers to connect with their people. I think they are a great way for administration members to share best practices and contribute their ideas to large masses of people! It may be a great tool for our Skills Coaches. Could be used to channel best practices or provide feedback on different learning activities they may need to complete. Would be a great tool to use before and after a training event. A great way for the participants to get to know each other and the facilitator.

14. Questions?

15. The End THANK YOU!