Is it time to keep blogs homework-free?

[Redbelly98]

Thank you to Hootenanny and the rest of the Mentor team.

I'll just add that anybody can report a HW blog post, by clicking the little yellow triangle at the lower-right of the blog entry. Members who could help in this way are actively getting the blogs cleaned up sooner.

 

[Evo]

Thank you to Hootenanny and the rest of the Mentor team.

I'll just add that anybody can report a HW blog post, by clicking the little yellow triangle at the lower-right of the blog entry. Members who could help in this way are actively getting the blogs cleaned up sooner.

Redbelly, you have been doing an awesome job. You've really gone above and beyond what's expected and you did it without being asked. If I had the power I would make you blog mentor. You are really deserving of recognition.

Until that happens, can I ask you to hit the report button on those homework blogs? That way we can enforce the new rule and hopefully point new members in the right direction.

 

[Redbelly98]

No problem.

Another possible issue is with blogs that are not homework, but are not "journal-like" either. These are the types of queries that most people normally post in the non-HW areas. But it's the same problem: few people who could answer such questions look in the blogs very often, so the question goes unanswered. And, it's clutter for people who like to read blog entries.

Is there a policy or guidelines about these non-HW question posts? Does the new delete policy apply to them?

 

[Hootenanny]

Another possible issue is with blogs that are not homework, but are not "journal-like" either. These are the types of queries that most people normally post in the non-HW areas. But it's the same problem: few people who could answer such questions look in the blogs very often, so the question goes unanswered. And, it's clutter for people who like to read blog entries.

Is there a policy or guidelines about these non-HW question posts? Does the new delete policy apply to them?

Feel free to report any inappropriate blog posts and we'll delete any unsuitable or misplaced posts as well as warning users not to post questions in the Blogs.

I'll also echo Evo's thanks for doing an excellent job in the Blog section.

 

[NeoDevin]

Isn't there any way to make Redbelly a blogmentor?

 

[tiny-tim]

Oh Moonbear, that's brilliant! …

No homework in blogs
Posted T at 08:39 PM by ashishraz
Updated T at 09:52 PM by Moonbear

Please write 10 times..."I will not post homework in blogs."

 

[Redbelly98]

That's pretty good. Within a couple more months, all these "no homework" edits will appear more frequently and prominently as featured blogs. Maybe more people will get the message before posting then.

 

[Redbelly98]

Just wanted to give a progress report of sorts on the whole inappropriate blogs issue.

The "question blogs" (HW or otherwise) are still trickling in, about 1 a day on average. I'm willing to continue checking on and reporting them, but at the same time I'll suggest 2 actions which could possibly alleviate this:

1. Get rid of the "Random featured blog entry" displayed on the blog main page. This often shows a HW (or similar) question, and sends the message that this is appropriate for blogs at PF. In other words, it encourages what we don't want.

2. In the row of links at the top of every PF page, move the "Blogs" link over to the "Quick Links" menu. First-time users will be less likely to find and post a question in the blogs, and experienced users will still have an easy link to the blogs.

If either of those items could be addressed, I think it could help in cutting down on the problem, not to mention the time spent by myself and the Mentors who respond to the reported blogs.

p.s., a belated thanks to NeoDevin for the compliment given me in Post #65!

 

[Evo]

1. Get rid of the "Random featured blog entry" displayed on the blog main page. This often shows a HW (or similar) question, and sends the message that this is appropriate for blogs at PF. In other words, it encourages what we don't want.

YES! I have started deleting those.

2. In the row of links at the top of every PF page, move the "Blogs" link over to the "Quick Links" menu. First-time users will be less likely to find and post a question in the blogs, and experienced users will still have an easy link to the blogs.

If either of those items could be addressed, I think it could help in cutting down on the problem, not to mention the time spent by myself and the Mentors who respond to the reported blogs.

That could help, or if we could fit in a link to "Forums", since a lot of posters aren't aware we have a forum.

 

[tiny-tim]

it isn't working

The system just isn't working.

New members are regularly posting homework blogs, coursework blogs, and academic-guidance blogs (4 today) which should all be on the forums.

And the supply of real blogs has almost dried up.

I suggest:

A threshold number of posts before a member can blog

Change the warning at the top from "Title (NO HOMEWORK!)" to Title (NO HOMEWORK OR OTHER REQUESTS FOR ACADEMIC HELP OR GUIDANCE!)

Delete infringing blogs immediately​

 

[Redbelly98]

Hi Tim!

The system just isn't working.

New members are regularly posting homework blogs, coursework blogs, and academic-guidance blogs (4 today) which should all be on the forums.

And the supply of real blogs has almost dried up.

I suggest:

A threshold number of posts before a member can blog​

Unfortunately, Greg has indicated he is unable to do that:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=1886487&postcount=9

Your other ideas are good ones. I report the blogs when I see them, to bring it to the attention of the Mentors. But some days I forget to check.

 

[Kurdt]

I've noticed a lot of members that post questions in blogs never return to post in the forums once they've been directed there. I have no idea what these people are thinking. First of all their decision to use a blog over the forum (one tiny link compared to a whole page of forums) and why they don't come back. I'd love to know how they think.