Advances in digital technolgy require Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (UMKM) in Pontianak City to adspt to online marketing strategies to remain competitive, particularly in expanding market reach and increasing sales. This study aims to analyze the use of blogsas an effective, effcient, and low-cost digital promotional medium for UMKM. The method used is mentoring and training in blog content creation for UMKM in Pontianak City. The results show that blogs offer advantages in the form of flexibility in presenting in-depth product information, building brand identity, and increasing visiility in search engines (SEO) compared to conventional social media. Through the use of blogs, UMKM can overcome limited promotional budgets while still reaching a wider audience in a professional manner. This mentoring has been proven to help business actors in digitalizing the marketing of Pontianak’s culnary products.

This research aims to assess the students’ obstacles in writing skills using interactive blogs. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative descriptive methods. The focus of the study involved 100 students who answered a questionnaire consisting of 15 questions on Google Forms. The questions were categorized into three groups: indicators of interactive blog use, benefits, and their influence on learning in the digital era. The data from the questionnaire revealed that 58% of students had a fairly effective understanding of blogs, 76% found blogs useful, and 89% found blogs effective and practical. The students showed enthusiasm for writing prompts because blog entries can include text, images, audio, video, and hyperlinks, enriching the content and providing supporting information. However, some disadvantages mentioned included difficulties in using blogs, the influence of online networking (internet usage), lack of peer comments, and the time-consuming nature of maintaining blogs. Another challenge in writing is the use of grammar, particularly tenses. The integration of blogs affects meaningful learning experiences by preparing students for effective written communication in a fast-paced world and improving their writing techniques. Nonetheless, interactive blogs proved to be more effective in enhancing students' writing skills.

Blogging has become a vital tool in modern education, providing a platform for reflective learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. However, its adoption and effective use in Nigerian tertiary institutions remain limited, particularly due to students’ perceptions and knowledge gaps. This study investigates students’ perceptions and knowledge of blogging for educational purposes in tertiary institutions in Ondo State, Nigeria. The population for the study consists of all students in tertiary institutions in Ondo State, Nigeria. A total sample of 300 respondents were selected using convenience sampling techniques from three major institutions in the State. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which was validated and tested for reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.85).The findings reveal that participants have positive perception toward the usage of weblogs for educational purposes with average percentage of 75.4%. The findings reveal with average percentage of 94.4%, that participants have knowledge of weblog for educational purposes. The constraints identified include lack of skills and insufficient knowledge of weblogs (70.3%), weblogs is only accessible by computer literates (73.4%), lack of mobile phones, personal computers limit the use of weblog (86.3%),inadequate electricity limit the use of weblog (88.7%), bad internet facility limit the use of weblog in the tertiary institutions (80.0%), and lack of relevant software’s and poor maintenance of weblog limit the use of weblogs among the students (90%). Despite these challenges, students expressed strong interest in learning how to utilize blogs for educational purposes. The study recommends that curricular integration, improved access to digital infrastructure, and structured training programs should be implemented in order to maximize the usage of weblog for educational purposes in tertiary institutions.

Background/Objectives: Palliative care nurses are at risk of burnout, trauma, and poor well-being. Expressive writing interventions are shown to promote self-reflection, personal growth, and resilience. A pilot study was designed to test the feasibility and use of a self-reflexive blog writing intervention to promote the subjective well-being, resilience, and personal growth of palliative care nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A sample of N = 144 registered nurses working in palliative care settings were enrolled in the study. Recruitment was performed using university alumni, nursing, and palliative care organization member listservs. Self-reported surveys such as the Subjective Well-Being Inventory (SUBI), Brief Resiliency Scale (BRS), and Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) scales were used to evaluate study outcomes. Pre- and post-surveys were obtained at baseline, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. Upon baseline survey completion, participants were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Participants in the intervention group were asked to write two weekly blog entries for a period of four weeks using a blog template on Qualtrics software. Descriptive statistical measures were used to evaluate the study outcomes and content analysis to analyze descriptive survey responses and blog narratives. Results: A total of N = 57 participants completed this study. Most participants were females (93%), White (89.5%), married (93%), and full-time employees (96.5%) and underwent PC training (93%). The findings indicate significant improvement in the subjective well-being (MD = 2.43, p < 0.05) and resilience scores (MD = 0.244, p < 0.05) in the intervention group. No significant changes were found in post-traumatic growth scores post-intervention. Most participants found blog writing as a supportive tool to reflect on their personal experiences and to ventilate their emotions and feelings. Conclusions: Self-reflexive blog writing is convenient and a potentially effective method for promoting the resilience and well-being of nurses. Future studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness in a larger sample across different practice settings.

The study aimed to explore the extent to which language learning blogs are used in developing creative writing skills among EFL secondary school students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To achieve the research aim, the researcher used a descriptive survey method involving. 270 English language teachers through random selection. The results indicated that the teachers reported medium perceptions toward the use of blog in developing students' writing (M=3.35). Moreover, the participating teachers showed high perceptions on the impact of using language learning blogs in developing fluency in writing skills (M=3.92). In addition, their perception of the extent to which language learning blogs are used in developing flexibility in English writing was “agree” with an overall mean of (M=2.74). The results also revealed the participants’ perception of using language learning blogs in developing the skills of elaboration/completion in English writing was “neutral” with an overall mean of (M=2.80). The study results confirmed that there were no statistically significant differences between the study sample’s responses regarding the impact of using language learning blogs on developing these skills among secondary school students resulting from the differences in their educational qualifications. Finally, the results showed that teachers' years of teaching experience have an impact on teachers' perceptions regarding the role of language learning blogs on developing students' writing in general and particularly on flexibility and elaboration/completion skills. The study recommends the use of blogs in developing students' writing skills.

This community service activity aims to enhance students' digital literacy by promoting healthy and responsible internet use at SMP Satu Atap Negeri 1 Soa, Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The rapid development of information technology requires students not only to be passive users but also to be critical, ethical, and responsible digital citizens. The implementation method included interactive lectures, discussions, and hands-on practice in creating educational blogs. The activity was attended by 60 students and conducted in a face-to-face format. The results showed an increase in students’ understanding of data privacy, identifying misinformation, and the use of blogs as a creative and reflective learning medium. Moreover, integrating this activity with the school curriculum supports project-based learning approaches. Direct, in-person socialisation proved to be more effective in enhancing student engagement and comprehension compared to online methods. This program demonstrates that the right educational approach can foster digital awareness among students and serves as a foundational step in developing a digitally literate young generation. Future efforts may include follow-up training, development of digital learning modules, and active involvement of teachers and parents in supporting students' digital literacy journeys.

This study explores student and lecturer perceptions of web blogging as an alternative assessment tool for language testing in the Sri Lankan context. Rooted in constructivism, the research investigates how web blogging engages learners in meaningful language use and reflects real-world communication. The study seeks to identify (i) What language skills can be effectively assessed through web blogging? (ii) How do Sri Lankan students and lecturers perceive the use of web blogging as an alternative assessment method? (iii) What challenges do students face when creating web blogs for language assessment? and (iv) What challenges do lecturers encounter in assessing language skills through web blogs? A qualitative approach was employed, using open-ended questionnaires for students and lecturers and content analysis of the student-created web blogs to gather rich, contextual data. The findings reveal that blogging supports the assessment of various language skills and soft skills while also fostering learner autonomy and engagement. However, challenges such as digital access, workload, and assessment criteria were noted. The study concludes that, despite some limitations, web blogging holds strong potential as a student-centered alternative to traditional language assessments.

The transformation of digital media has changed the landscape of da'wah communication, encouraging da'i to adapt more relevant and participatory approaches. One platform that attracts attention is that blogs, although not as popular as mainstream social media such as YouTube or Instagram, still have the potential as a text-based and multimedia da'wah communication channel. This research aims to examine the use of blogs as a medium of Islamic da'wah by highlighting the form of interaction, content effectiveness, and communication dynamics between da'i and audiences. This study uses a qualitative approach to the case study method of three Indonesian-language Islamic blogs that have actively published da'wah content in the past year. Data was collected through analysis of blog content, in-depth interviews with blog managers and audiences, as well as participatory observations of the interactions in the comments column. Research shows that da'wah blogs serve as a dialogue space that allows audiences not only to receive religious messages, but also to provide feedback, questions, and discussions. The most effective types of content include practical worship articles, personal inspirational stories, and short video lectures. Two-way interactions and contextual message delivery increase audience involvement and their religious understanding. The study also noted significant challenges such as low comment moderation and the risk of unvalidated dissemination of religious information. The main contribution of this research is to affirm the blog's function as an alternative medium of personal, open, and needs-based da'wah, by integrating the Use and Gratifications theory in analyzing audience motivation.

This study explored the perceptions of Grade 9 students on the use of blogs in learning Social Studies, focusing on their access to computer and internet, ease of use, and how blogging supports their learning. Grade 9 students participated by completing tasks and reflections on blogs. A validated researcher-made questionnaire and selected interviews were used to gather data. Results showed that most students found blogging easy to use, especially when uploading assignments and adding links. They appreciated the flexibility it offered and the chance to communicate with their teacher through the comment section. However, some students experienced difficulty in navigating blog features, showing a need for proper orientation. Blogging was also seen as helpful in increasing students’ interest and engagement in the subject. Most students relied on school facilities due to limited internet access at home. Overall, blogging supported student learning when combined with clear instructions and access to technology, making it a practical tool not only in Social Studies but also in other subjects.

The use of blogs and vlogs by people with serious mental illness (SMI) and common mental illness (CMI) has attracted increasing academic interest due to the development of online illness narratives. This systematic review aims to explore the use of blogs and vlogs, identifying their narratives and characteristics, perceived benefits and adverse effects associated os their use. This would allow us to know the influence of this type of media on authors' personal recovery. Following PRISMA guidelines, an exhaustive search of four databases was conducted, using terms such as 'blog', 'vlog' and 'serious mental illness' among the most relevant. The selected articles were empirical studies, written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals from 2014 to 2024 and explored the use of blogs and vlogs by people with SMI and CMI. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Self-expression narratives on these platforms tend to be first-person and address issues such as stigma, barriers to treatment and self-management of symptoms. Key benefits include the creation of support networks, reduction of social isolation and individual empowerment, all of which are intrinsically related to personal recovery. However, risks were also identified, such as the possibility of employment discrimination and emotional vulnerability to negative comments. This review highlights the need for future research that explores cross-cultural experiences and provides a sound basis for the design of interventions that promote the positive use of blogs and vlogs in mental health recovery.

ABSTRACT Social media tools have revolutionized how people communicate with one another. A 2018 paper in Fisheries summarized the use of Twitter, Facebook, and blogs for fisheries science and management professionals. Since that time, there have been many changes in the social media landscape. These changes include the decline in usefulness and professional use of Twitter, longstanding tools like Instagram becoming more widely used in the professional community, and the emergence of new tools like Bluesky. The goal of this paper is to summarize the professional benefits of social media usage that are applicable for fisheries science and management professionals, and to provide a detailed guide for those who wish to use Instagram and Bluesky. When properly used, these tools can help fisheries scientists and professionals with stakeholder outreach, professional networking, and research.

Human Resources Blog is a widespread technological system adopted by organizations for employees to use in the workplace. Nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical research exploring the role and influence of leadership on employees in HR Blog, and thus far lacks a strong theoretical foundation. Through the theoretical lens of Social Exchange Theory (SET), this research aims to explore and investigate leadership's role in HR Blog and determine the impact on employees' use of HR Blog. Two mixed methods data were collected which are 23 semi-structured interviews and 143 computerized first-hand typewritten comments (content analysis). The finding reveals that leaders' roles in HR Blog significantly affect employees' use of HR Blog. This research made several contributions; theoretical, methodological (two mixed methods), empirical, and practical implications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has walked into our lives as a source of social isolation. This study aims to determine, by using web blogs, the emotions, thoughts and coping strategies of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the COVID-19 pandemic, using the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping developed by Lazarus and Folkman. This study, which was designed as a descriptive qualitative study, uses international web blogs as the data source. The statements of 42 women determined between April and May 2021 were evaluated with the directed qualitative content analysis in accordance with the aim of the study. The themes of this study were determined as psychological changes, cognitive changes, changes in social life, changes in the diagnosis and treatment process and coping strategies. While some of the women interpret the pandemic process to be death-equivalent, lonely, helpless and worrying, others commentate that being at home is reassuring, they are satisfied with online health services and their relations with their partners are positively affected. It is thought that the online sharing platforms (blogs, forums and so forth) used during the pandemic process have an effect on sharing the feelings and thoughts, and coping strategies in GDM management.

Whilst some disciplines in HE encourage creative practices and expression in their assessments, they are less common in others, leading to a disparity in creative skillsets which are beneficial for multiple cognitive activities, such as critical thinking and leadership skills (Karunarathne &amp; Calma, 2023). Educators may also fear that implementing an assessment which has more flexibility and opportunity for students to express themselves in a format which benefits their learning, would be harder to grade in an equitable way. Therefore, creative assessments sometimes pose a risk to educators which could lead to perceived failure and lack of self-efficacy (Creely et al., 2022). Students in turn might feel anxious with different options for assessment and looser ways of presenting knowledge without a more structured and scaffolded approach. However, the implementation of creative, sustainable assessments can be integral in the learning journeys of students to think differently, which can create space for innovation and development of critical thinking skills for employability. This paper explores the use of blog writing as a sustainable creative option in assessing student knowledge and development of reflective practice. It will comment on the prevalence and affectivity of blog writing in the development of IT-based technical skills and in the promotion of original development of ideas, reducing the potential misuse of AI in facilitating learning. It will also comment on the need for sustainable assessments and joy of learning to enhance student engagement and performance.

This article reports on the investigation of the use of web blog as media in teaching writing to English Department Students of STKIP PGRI West Sumatera in Academic Year 2016 – 2017. It aims to research about the motivational factors for using blogs as an essential tool to promote students’ writing skills in EFL classrooms, specifically in English Department of STKIP PGRI West Sumatera. This study discusses how using blogs may be integrated into classroom activities to promote students’ writing skills as well as polishing their skills. It would also illustrate the features offered in blogs as well as the motivational essence that is attached to the blogs. To achieve the aim of the study. This includes the advantages and also the challenges of multimodal literacy in the implementation of using web blog as the medium of teaching writing. In addition, the data in this article were collected through semi-structured interviews by using a semin structured interview guide of protocol. The findings of the study would serve as an insistent reminder that the blogs which have been clearly underlined in the curriculum should be re-orchestrated more effectively again by the lecturers or teachers of English as a Foreign Language (EFL).

This qualitative study examines teachers’ use of blogs for professional development. It uses email interviews as a collecting data tool with six educators who regularly maintain educational blogs. It emphasises the significant role of weblogs as a platform that can transform the way educators interact, collaborate, and reflect on their teaching practices. Weblogs offer great opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous communication, fostering knowledge sharing and professional growth. Research suggests that social interaction enhances teachers’ cognitive and professional learning and weblogs are considered as an effective tool in this regard. The findings reveal that blogging teachers recognise the educational value of blogging for professional development. The study highlights the importance of integrating blogging into the teaching profession as a means of continuous learning, professional support, and reflective practice. However, further research is required to explore both the benefits and potential challenges associated with blogging in education.

This paper presents three studies on the design, use and effectiveness of multimodal online baking blogs that present cookie recipes in two forms: illustrated step-by-step Instructions with Pictures and printable text-only Recipe Cards. Firstly, a corpus study describes how authors combine text and pictures in 15 blogs. Secondly, an eye-tracking study was conducted to explore how 12 participants read and evaluate baking blogs and the Instructions with Pictures in them. Finally, a user study was conducted to explore how 4 teams of participants execute and evaluate either an Instruction with Pictures or a Recipe Card of a typical baking blog. Questionnaire data on the readers’ and users’ judgments of the comprehensibility, design and their (expected) performance of the instructions, as well as eye-tracker data and videos capturing the reading and baking practices were collected and analysed. Thus, the triangulation of exploratory studies displays how different research methodologies inform the relevance and evaluation of particular characteristics of multimodal presentations given the readers’ and users’ judgments as well as through objective measurements that provide complementary insights on multimodal baking instructions in terms of multimodal information presentation, reading strategies and situated use.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted agribusiness operations nationwide. This study analyzed text data from the websites of 200 farmers markets across the United States using a &amp;ldquo;Text Mining Analytics&amp;rdquo; approach. We created word clouds to examine three key aspects of farmers markets: (i) digital marketing strategies adopted in response to the pandemic, (ii) popular products sold, and (iii) market operating days and times. Our findings revealed a notable increase in online presence and identify effective digital promotional strategies, such as the use of Facebook, websites, Instagram, Twitter (now X), and blogs. Additionally, we highlighted the most popular products available at farmers markets, including tomatoes, baked goods, peppers, apples, plants, and lettuce. Furthermore, we found that Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays are favored operating days. This research offers valuable insights for policymakers, market managers, and vendors, aiding them in making informed decisions.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the use of video blog (vlog) by undergoing several stages to improve the speaking skills of the students enrolled in Purposive Communication class at the University of Cebu-Main Campus, second semester, School Year 2020-2021. Based on the findings of the study, an action plan was proposed as an output. The study sought the following particularities: pretest scores in speaking test of the control and experimental groups; posttest scores in speaking test of the control and experimental groups; significant difference between pretest scores of the control and experimental groups; significant difference between the posttest scores of the control and experimental groups; and significant difference of the pretest and posttest scores of the control and experimental groups. This quasi-experimental research utilized the production of video blog (vlog) as a strategy in improving the speaking ability among college students. Students’ speaking test scores and video blog (vlog) outputs were evaluated by three experts using researcher-made rubrics. The data were statistically analyzed using per cent, mean, t-test for correlated samples and t-test for independent samples. Findings show that the majority of the students in both control and experimental groups showed fair performance in the pretest. The two groups of subjects showed an increase of their scores in their speaking skills in the post test. There is no significant difference on the scores of the control and experimental groups in the pretest of their speaking skills test. There is a significant difference in the pretest and posttest scores of the two groups of subjects. Furthermore, there is a significant difference between the posttest scores of the control and experimental groups. The group who underwent the video blogging (vlog) production showed high improvement in their scores in their speaking test. The study concluded that the use of video blog (vlog) as a strategy in improving the students’ speaking skills is effective. Furthermore, video blog (vlog) is an effective tool in improving students’ speaking skills as it increases learning motivation and interest among students especially in today’s digital age.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of weblogs in teaching English writing skills to the secondary school students in Malaysia and to determine the students’ attitude towards the use of weblog in improving their writing abilities. In this study, the researcher interviewed nine Form 2 students who were selected at random and through face-to-face interviews the researcher asked them about their perceptions on the topic. The findings suggest that the use of weblogs enhances students’ writing skills and achieve higher results in grammar, writing structure and the use of the appropriate vocabulary. Students admitted they benefited from the feedback given through weblogs as it assisted them in enhancing their writing and also creativity with a view of writing more. Application of weblog in learning was effective and the feedback and interaction significantly helped in learning. Based on the study, it is possible to use weblogs in teaching English language with a focus on writing with proper support and supervision from the teachers. More studies should be conducted to establish weblog use in education in the long-run.