What is the purpose of professional blogs?

[Angela Branyon]

I am trying to get some feedback on what everyone thinks is the purpose of a professional blog. Do you think it should be for networking, information, professiona. growth or a place to vent or both. I am leaning toward the first with an alternate site to vent. What do you thihnk would serve you the most professionally?

[Darshell Silva]

I think a proffesional blog is good for all that you mentioned. I feel that venting is ok because there are always others going through the same issues who can then commisserate (and feel as if their situation is not unique & they are not alone), offer advice, or explain what came of their similiar situation. This is just my opinion. Good luck & post your blog address when you decide!

[Jen Spisak]

I think prof. blogs should be about the sharing and exchanging of new ideas. They are learning and networking tools for me. "Venting" blogs can serve their purpose for those who want to talk about what changes need to be made in our field. But I am one who would prefer not to have one of those blogs on my aggregator. An individual can create a blog for this purpose, but I believe professional blogs (i.e. those from professional organizations and such) should be focused more on professional development. I'm looking forward to seeing others perspectives on this issue as well. Good topic!

[J.Robertson]

If it's a professional blog, it should be something that allows for growth - either yours or that of your visitors. I think it's hard to separate the venting from the learning however because sometimes, in the process of trying something new, you encounter frustrations in the form of roadblocks, and end up needing to share those frustrations. This sometimes comes across as venting, but is really just a sharing of obstacles you encountered. As long as the sharing of complaints remains professional; no identifying names or too many specifics, then I think it's okay for a professional blog to be both.

[Cynthia Alvarado]

I try to use my professional blog as a place to help others learn and to seek feedback for my own learning. I don't really have a use for venting of the emotional type in this arena. On the other hand, if you mean by venting, an honest critique of a professional situation, or an idea to move the profession forward that seems to be neglected, that seems appropriate to the format. I know that both students and parents read my blog, so I want to appear professional at all times. I save the venting for F2F or more casual online communities. My professional blog can be found here. http://blog.dearbornschools.org/alvarac/
As you can see, it is on a school hosted server, therefore making me even more careful about content that might be viewed as unprofessional.

[Miss M]

I see a professional blog as a place for networking, information, and professional growth. I began my professional blog earlier this year as a way to track my discoveries and project attempts in the web2.0 world. I love being able to have a record of my web discoveries along with ideas for implements as well as a record of my first attempts at using various technologies with students and teachers. I also love the networking aspect of reader comments leading you to other ideas and blogs. There are a handful of blogs that I read where I grow in knowledge with every post that I read. I find blogs to be one of the best professional development tools out there. As far as venting goes, if it is a professional blog, I do not see venting as appropriate. You can pose a problem you are facing and ask for suggestions and help, but most most people do not read blogs of a professional nature to hear the blogger complain and whine. My blog is located at http://makatche.blogspot.com.

[Dana Buchanan]

I started mine as a record of what I had been learning. That way I could take that information and share it with others. I also had used it as part of my evaluation. However, I have been learning quite a bit, but I haven't had time to place the info. on the blog.

"Venting" sounds so unprofessional, could we call it something like "Professional Conversations." If your venting, I don't think that you would want your co-workers stumbling onto the site.

Dana