The Blogging Community

We are all familiar with the definition of ‘blog’ where it can be described as a series of journals or essays written online in chronological order through a series of weblogs, however a blogging community is somewhat an extension of that. 

In other words, a blogging community are made of independent blogs that share similar outlook or mindsets with different groups of people that are connected via a similar platform (Kinkeldei, 2007, p. 2).

Figure 1: An exemplary of a blogging community in Malaysia

                                                                  (Image source: http://www.blogged.my/ , 2012)

There are various ways that a blogger can create a blog community, According to Swafford: 

• It is important to be visible. No blogger would like to be a “wallpaper”. Bloggers should give and reply comments as a step to reach out to other bloggers.

• Create a linkage of posts and share them on other networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

• Create a partnership with another well-known blogger to do a combined weblog or postings as this will not only help traffic but also recognition (2011).

Nancy White’s three models of blogging communities (2006):

 

The Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community:

Figure 2: Single Blog/Blogger Centric Community Model

                                                             (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

 

This type is typically owned by an individual or an organisation but they have several authors that can access to post the weblogs. Like the image above, the readers not only get to comment on the blog but also get to know other commentors. Therefore, the organisation or individual have total control over the blog. 

Central Connecting Topic Community:

 

Figure 3: Topic Centric Community Model

                                                           (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

 

This type is usually used by bloggers that share a particular interest or a common passion and are less concern about being in the spot light. Different from the single blogger, the community does not depend on a common platform and have less control.  

Boundaried Communities:

 

Figure 4: Boundaried Communities

 (Image source: http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au , 2006)

This type promotes regulatory membership requirements in order to gain access where it contains more than one tool and forms part of the overall ecosystem.

 

Application

Figure 5: Taylor's Online Portal

 (Image source: http://portals.taylors.edu.my , 2012)

In application to Nancy White’s theory of Boundaried Communities,  student portals such as the one provided by Taylor’s University (Taylor’s portal) is one form of the third model where it grants access to their students while simultaneously provides tools such as discussion boards to comment and share ideas, directory of staffs and their information, similar to the concept in Figure 1. 

REFERENCE LIST: 

2012, “Malaysia’s Blogging Community (image)”, blogged.my, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.blogged.my/

 

 

2012, “Taylor’s Online Portal (image)”, portals.taylors.edu.my, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://portals.taylors.edu.my/portal/login.do

Kinkeldei, B., 2007, “Whitepaper Blog Communities: Forging Connections and Promoting Growth Through Blog Communities”, 21Publish Cooperative Publishing, Viewed 26th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://www.21publish.com/pub/21publish/blogging-whitepaper.pdf

Swafford, B., 2011, “How to Build a Blog Community”, bloggingwithoutablog.com, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://bloggingwithoutablog.com/how-to-build-a-blog-community/

 

 

White, N., 2006, “Blogs and Community – Launching A New Paradigm for Online Community”, Australian Flexible Learning Framework, Viewed 26^th March 2012

[Available Online]:

http://kt.flexiblelearning.net.au/tkt2006/edition-11-editorial/blogs-and-community-%E2%80%93-launching-a-new-paradigm-for-online-community