There are things you learn about yourself over time. One of them is that I'm not a very good work-blogger. However:
Is blogging about work doing work, or is it just writing about work? I'm guessing that Cole will say that it is doing work since it exposes my thoughts in the public and it helps him (and others) learn about what we're doing. I think I need a little more than that. Blogging about work will feel like doing work to me only if it is illuminating. If it helps me think through issues and come up with creative solutions, then it will be worth the time invested.
This sounds like a learning style issue. I may be the kind of person who learns more by talking through issues than by writing about them. And actually, I usually have my best thoughts while doing something physical (walking to work, running, swimming, etc...).
I may never know unless I try something new, so I've been thinking of writing one blog post per day for the month of August, as Cole is planning to do. That should answer my questions one way or another.
- I really enjoy work-podcasting: I have said publicly that I would come to work on a vacation day, just so I wouldn't miss the opportunity to record an episode of ETS Talk.
- I'm a good work-wiki-editor: if you look at what I'm doing with the 2008 Learning Design Summer Camp, I'm constantly in the wiki, editing and shaping the event.
- I'm a good recreational-podcaster: Jeff and I have a running/training podcast called Running with the Pack that has a fair number of listeners.
- I'm a fair recreational-blogger (more or less): I like posting race reports, gadget updates, movie reviews, etc..., but I don't enjoy it as much as I enjoy podcasting.
Is blogging about work doing work, or is it just writing about work? I'm guessing that Cole will say that it is doing work since it exposes my thoughts in the public and it helps him (and others) learn about what we're doing. I think I need a little more than that. Blogging about work will feel like doing work to me only if it is illuminating. If it helps me think through issues and come up with creative solutions, then it will be worth the time invested.
This sounds like a learning style issue. I may be the kind of person who learns more by talking through issues than by writing about them. And actually, I usually have my best thoughts while doing something physical (walking to work, running, swimming, etc...).
I may never know unless I try something new, so I've been thinking of writing one blog post per day for the month of August, as Cole is planning to do. That should answer my questions one way or another.
This could be fun. I agree with you that it can really only be viewed as being valuable if it is illuminating ... it is the reason that I don't post everyday -- I have a day job and blogging isn't it. I do like the idea of sharing the work we do in the open as it almost always leads to new connections and to new opportunities. I think people are paying attention and it can't hurt. We shall see how all this shakes down.
I was also thinking that if other people are blogging every day, it will give me more things to think about, reflect upon, and write about.
What you could do: when you learn things, record them. So rather than wanting to get the illumination from the writing, aid your memory by doing the writing: this might work best for you if you can do it soon after the physical activity that prompted it.
See it as wiki editing: recording the illumination as the work, perhaps.
Just a suggestion. Maybe it'll work.
You hit upon the same problem I have; to write about work seems to be redundant in one sense. I far prefer to stumble across something that moves me and then write about that so that I am basically engaging in a discussion. With this project, I think I am going to mine the efforts of others that are taking the plunge with us, then use trackbacks so that I can respond while still retaining a record of my content. At least that's my story for now. On your blog, no less. No trackback. You're welcome. ;)
Anne: I don't think a record of what I've learned is enough for me. Between my job, my interest in various technologies, and my PhD program, I'm constantly learning and often something clicks with me well after being exposed to a new idea or experiencing something unexpected. In those cases, it's not really my memory that is a problem.
If the writing itself helps me learn more, then it's worth doing. If it doesn't, then I won't continue the streak after August.