Blogs vs. Discussions -- how do I teach my users the difference?

I was about to ask the same question. Seeing no responses, may I suggest this as a Blog Topic for the CollectiveX Champions

Funny you should ask. One of my Board members wanted to know the same thing.

A good answer about "What is a blog or Web log?" is here:

http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/02/05/what-is-a-blog/

I tell them, they need to be familiar with all forms of communicating with technology. This is just one of many.

Nancy,

Thanks for the link. I especially enjoyed the video.  We still need to answer the specific question here: How do I decide whether to start a blog or start a discussion topic?

And with the newer, CX concept of the Group Blog, the water gets muddier.

How do we help others with this decision?

Using the first definition: A weblog is a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser.' 

... we might say that if your idea can be richly enhanced by non-text tools, you should go to the Group Blog - even though it is possible to include/embed these in a discussion post.

Perhaps...

Do you plan a series of related posts or is this a one-time contribution?

What other guidelines should we communicate?

I'd suggest asking, "What am I trying to achieve?"  Then try to use the best tool to fit the need.

A blog is (primarily) a publishing tool. It gives your group a powerful "voice" inside your Groupsite as well as to the rest of the world (if you choose to make it public)

Use your blog to:

• teach or provide others with the means to learn


• publish important information about your organization's mission or values


• impart "expert" advice, facts or opinions


• show off good work (that would be of value to your audience), or
  

A discussion forum is a conversation tool.

Start a discussion topic when you:

• Have particularly sensitive or controversial topics to discuss


• Primarily want to stimulate productive online conversation, two-or-more-way, or
  


• Have a question - are seeking to learn more than to teach

Both tools are a means to document ideas or information that may otherwise be inaccessible or lost.

Thanks, Diana! This answer was spot on! I am going to add it to my primer for our groupsite.