One way a leader can use a blog is to solicit comments and insight outside of meetings and "regular business hours." Time for meetings is always limited within an educational setting. By offering a blog option, a leader can allow members of a team to contribute when they have time, whether on campus or off. Since the blogger and followers making comments will be identified (and non-participants will be easy to determine), this can provide motivation for making contributions. Requiring comments does not have to be oppressive (comments are required, for instance, within the online classroom!). To make the blog a valuable tool, a few "rules" should be posted and observed by the leader and/or followers:
1. Ground rules: don't attack (be polite and constructive in making comments).
2. Don't avoid conflict; vetting opposing views and ideas could be helpful. Let the team know it is OK to oppose the idea, but not the person posting the idea!
3. Cite articles, documentaries, and other resources, and link them to the blog. Encourage comment on the material. This would be a great way to "embed" professional development into the school calendar.
3. Mention what was learned during the blogging process, both the comments that were affirming, and those that were challenging. In other words, acknowledge the team who was asked to follow and comment..
4. Keep a time limit on a topic/concept in the blog. Move on to new topics fairly frequently, to keep the conversation fresh.
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