Using blogs to support information, knowledge sharing, and provide emotional support during internship

Abstract

This study sought to understand the use of web logs to facilitate information sharing, knowledge sharing, and emotional support for internship students. Fifty-three (53) students from the BScIM Programme (Bachelor of Science in Information Management) evaluated the use of blogs during their internship. The results reveal that students generally have positive perceptions on blogging as a tool to facilitate information management and social support. The blogs are also perceived to be useful in terms of self-reflection, communication, and learning problem-solving skills. On the other hand, this study shows that the supervisor-students communication via blog comments needs to be improved. Finally, the blogging platform does not seem to have an impact on the students’ perceptions of the usefulness and effectiveness of blogs.