Why blog? [Blogpost 114]

I have - over the last few days - been ruminating on the focus of today’s blog. As always, I have lots of ideas, but sometimes it takes some time to settle on the area of focus. It will be no surprise to realize that one idea this week was to focus on the implications and ramifications on school life during the outbreak of Covid-19.

As a result of a conversation with AR (a trusted friend) whom I had asked for some feedback, I have, however, settled on the question of blogging and the purpose thereof for me and with reference to the question, "What gift are you giving to your audience?"

At present, I perceive blogging to serve three main purposes:

• I very much appreciate having some time each week to share my musings and process my thoughts (shared through my blog as well as through Twitter and LinkedIn) on a variety of topics related to education*.

• I enjoy reading/researching and see this as part of my personal Professional Development. This PD serves me well in the here and now and will also serve me well in the future when job hunting and/or in a different job.

• I aspire to publish articles in education journals. I enjoy writing and see that writing a blog gives me a space to practice and refine the art of writing.

* Areas of particular interest are admissions, leadership, learning differently, school culture, social justice, Third Culture Kids, and wellbeing.

I wish (based, in part, on the conversation with AR) to continue to think of how to expand my purpose. This is not simply a case of a larger readership (although that would be welcomed), but to consider how I could better serve potential readers be they:

(i) Families looking to apply to an international school and wanting general advice or specific advice about, inter alia, how best to support the transition to a new school and - especially if it is their first time going overseas - how to navigate a new school system, a new country, and possible a new language and/or

(ii) Educators and others interested in learning about international schools from the perspective of those who work in the Admissions Office within an international school.

Looking ahead, I already have a few ideas for future blogs and continue to be open to suggestions for topics of discussion as well as feedback in terms of content, delivery and more.

AR - Molte grazie and shukran for your feedback earlier this week :)

References:

• Crenshaw., D. (2014) Reasons Why PR Pros Should Blog (updated) Crenshaw Communications