Increasing Student Blog Participation Jeff Marlow Imperial College 30 August 2008

Barriers of time, expertise, and interest What’s in it for me? Two types of blog participation Writing Responding

Writing

Responding

1. Writing Benefits Incentives ∙ Solidify knowledge through explanation ∙ Become a member of scientific community ∙ Develop the skill of communicating research ∙ Understand the state of your field ∙ Blogging for credit ∙ Competitions

2. Responding ∙ Ask clarification questions ∙ Develop relationships with potential mentors / advisors ∙ Require quotations ∙ Tailor assignments Benefits Incentives

Benefits of access without the risks

∙ Bibliography litmus test ∙ Responsible use ∙ Incentivization Challenges

Good and Bad Blog Use

Bad: Mandatory course “online communities”

Expedition Blogs Good: