{"id":132,"date":"2018-05-21T23:47:03","date_gmt":"2018-05-22T03:47:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/?p=132"},"modified":"2018-07-11T09:35:44","modified_gmt":"2018-07-11T13:35:44","slug":"once-upon-a-blog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/2018\/05\/once-upon-a-blog\/","title":{"rendered":"Once Upon a Blog!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The most common definition for a blog is that it is a \u201cweb log\u201d (Marketing Terms, 2018). It can also be referred to as an online diary or discussion of events, in addition to being a source of information for researched topics. \u00a0Over the years, its definition \u00a0has expanded into covering a multitude of subject matter including anything from literature to politics.\u00a0 Additionally, blogs are places where like minded individuals have the opportunity to discuss and debate topics that are relevant to them in both their personal and professional \u00a0lives.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">An advantage to using blogs in training environments is that unless they are removed from the internet, then the information contained in them is always accessible as a point of reference for a specific time in history. \u00a0That information can also be measured as to how well it continues to be relevant with current events. \u00a0A disadvantage of a blog is that many times they are a reflection of the writers opinion, and are often biased and not objective. \u00a0 This can affect one\u2019s research if it is being used as a reliable source of credibility. \u00a0The credibility of the bloggers material as well as it being a \u00a0reliable source will adversely affect how well they are received in the community of their peers and fans.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">By using blogs as training tools, this allows individuals to capitalize on people\u2019s strengths and enhance their opportunities. Depending on where their best abilities lie, micro blogging on platforms such as Twitter and Tumblr, \u00a0may be appropriate for someone who is more visual and can express themselves more creatively. \u00a0On the other hand, a \u00a0traditional long form blog may be best suited for individuals whose strengths and skills are in writing. \u00a0The combining of both provides a winning hand where each type of learner has an opportunity to improve in areas where their counterparts excel. \u00a0Blogs also provide an electronic journal of discovery and revelation in addition to stories that can be applied to future learning and training environments.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The five blogs below are excellent resources for educators, leaders, or trainers \u00a0who are using \u00a0storytelling when facilitating\u00a0workshops and its techniques to reach a wide variety of audiences.<\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>The International Storytelling Center \u00a0&#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.storytellingcenter.net\/learning\/stories-connect\">http:\/\/www.storytellingcenter.net\/learning\/stories-connect<\/a>: The International Storytelling Center provides\u00a0monthly information about storytelling around the world and how the center itself\u00a0 plays a role in preserving the art form in this blog. \u00a0The topics vary but mainly show how stories are used to connect with the international community. \u00a0The center is located in Jonesborough, TN where the art form\u00a0experienced its revival over 40 years ago and has been responsible for the rebirth of storytelling since the first festival in 1973. \u00a0While comments are permitted the blog is primarily a reflection of experiences from the International Storytelling Center Staff and its director and how storytelling impacted those experiences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>The National Association of Black Storytellers &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/nabstalking.wordpress.com\">https:\/\/nabstalking.wordpress.com<\/a>: \u00a0This blog focuses specifically on African American storytelling and its continued importance and relevance to the black community. \u00a0It also discusses the significance of the passing down of stories from one generation to the next. \u00a0The organization has been around for over three decades and one of its founders is still alive today. \u00a0Each year in November the organization produces a festival featuring tellers from around the world who specialize in the art of telling stories from the African diaspora. \u00a0Many topics of discussion from that Diaspora are the focus of this blog which makes it unique from other storytelling blogs in that it highlights ethnic storytelling. \u00a0<strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>National Storytelling Network &#8211; \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/storynet.org\/blog\/\">https:\/\/storynet.org\/blog\/<\/a>: \u00a0 The National Storytelling Network blog covers any and all aspects of professional storytelling from boardroom to class room and front porch to the stage.\u00a0 It is done monthly on the many facets of storytelling including the business of storytelling and storytelling in business settings. \u00a0Occasionally, followers will contribute and share their experiences. \u00a0The longevity of the blog and its consistency is due to the status of the bloggers who contribute and are well respected in the storytelling community. \u00a0This is an excellent resource for any professional looking to incorporate storytelling into their training with a number of blog posts relevant to many subjects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>TEDBlog &#8211;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.ted.com\/\">https:\/\/blog.ted.com\/<\/a>: \u00a0TED Talks are respected around the world and have a track record of producing quality education &amp; informative talks on a number of subjects. \u00a0Likewise, their blog is equally impressive. \u00a0Entries are made throughout the month for followers to engage and interact with the posts. There readers will find topics of discussion \u00a0pertinent to a training environment which include: \u00a0storytelling, digital storytelling, leadership skills, communication and \u00a0collaboration. \u00a0Each is in line with the tagline of TED Talks which is the sharing of great ideas. \u00a0The search engine is very comprehensive and leaves no shortage of interesting and educational blogs to explore.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li>Training Mag &#8211; \u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/training-day\">https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/training-day<\/a>: \u00a0Training Mag has monthly tips for training professionals such as learning from seasoned individuals and training the next generation. \u00a0Other topics covered include recruitment, retention, leadership skills, and learning theories. \u00a0This is a credible organization with history of being in forefront of \u00a0the training and development field for decades while partnering with reputable industry professionals. In addition to management and HR regulations, it covers best practices and strategies that are considered new and groundbreaking techniques in the training and development industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">For individuals who are new to blogging, here are a few tips to assist with getting started. \u00a0First, take interest in a subject or hobby where \u00a0you have a true passion.\u00a0 This will encourage reading and research of the subject which will enhance the blog that you are \u00a0planning to create. \u00a0\u00a0Secondly, look for blogs that have a consistent longevity of credible posts as well as comments. This shows that there is an effective dialogue taking place between the blog writer and the reader. \u00a0 A third best practice is to look for a blog that stands out and is different. The same can be said if you are starting a blog.\u00a0 Ask these questions.\u00a0 What is a trademark that will separate your blog from others?\u00a0 \u00a0What information in the blog can readers not get elsewhere?\u00a0 What makes it special or unique? \u00a0Does the blog have a brand attached to it?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">If starting a blog for the first time, look for a user-friendly platform where you can add, edit, and change easily without getting frustrated and in need of constant technical assistance. \u00a0In addition to these basic tips for beginners, there is a comprehensive list of 30 best practices as well as a beginning blogging guide by well-respected blogger Matt Banner (Banner, 2015). In it, is covered everything from topics to discuss, to the incorporation of videos, social media and beyond.\u00a0 The list though done in 2015, is still applicable today and is a must have fort anyone serious about blogging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The most common definition for a blog is that it is a \u201cweb log\u201d (Marketing Terms, 2018). It can also be referred to as an online diary or discussion of events, in addition to being a source of information for researched topics. \u00a0Over the years, its definition \u00a0has expanded into covering a multitude of subject [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-thoughts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=132"}],"version-history":[{"count":42,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":240,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/132\/revisions\/240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=132"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=132"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chettergalloway.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=132"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}