Journal 10 - "Is Blogging Worth the Risk?"

Maxlow, J. & Nielsen, L. (2009, May). Is blogging worth the risk?. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved May 7, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200905/

This Point/Counterpoint article in ISTE’s L&L covers the important topic of blog-related risks. In today’s technology-driven world, it’s easy to get pulled into all of the innovative techie tools available to us as people and as educators. In our excitement, we sometimes forget to consider the risks that may come with these innovative technologies – especially those tools that are web-based. Blogging is no exception. So are the advantages of becoming a member of the blogosphere worth the risks that online exposure can bring about? Although I thought both authors of this article’s argument brought up great points, I still believe that blogging is an important technology that educators should use to their advantage.

Question 1 – What are some of the risks involved with blogging?

As Lisa Nielsen mentioned in this Point/Counterpoint article, a teacher who blogs is going to be under much more of a microscope than a teacher who doesn’t, and is therefore subject to much more scrutiny. Then there are risks involved in introducing students to the blogosphere. Privacy issues may arise and letting students publish blogs is going to require monitoring on the teacher’s part. All of these risks to mean more work for teachers who are often already suffering from work overload, but there are some serious benefits to be gained from the extra work that these risks present educators with – which leads me to my next question.

Question 2 – How can educators use the risks involved with the technology of blogging to their advantage?

Although it is unfortunate that with great technology can also come great risk, this doesn’t necessarily have to be negative thing for teachers. In fact, educators can actually use the risks involved in blogging to their advantage. How, you ask? Simple, it’s all about modeling responsibility. The inherent risks involved in blogging present teachers with an opportunity to model for their students how to practice digital-age citizenship and responsibility!