What is a blog, and what does it have to do with journalism?

Dean of graduate studies Amy Reynolds was asked to explore this question in a session for Mini University, a summer enrichment program offered by the IU Alumni Association for the past 35 years.

During the week of June 17-22, Reynolds's class was one of almost 100 other classes. Participants, including many IU alumni, selected up to 15 classes during the week. Most classes are at the IMU, and participants spend their non-class time exploring campus and surrounding city amenities.

For the second year in a row, organizers asked Reynolds to lead the session, a role she was happy to fill.

"(Mini University) is one of those events that every school should be a part of," Reynolds said, "because it promotes life-long learning."

With an audience that included a teacher, a librarian, a scientist and a parent of a journalism student, Reynolds approached the topic from a number of angles. The background knowledge of the 35 or so attendees ranged from regular blog consumers to quite the opposite, Reynolds said.

"Several came in before the session began and said, 'You are going to explain what a blog is, aren't you?'" she said.

Reynolds said she tried to provide a working vocabulary of some of the technology in use. Once the basics were established, discussion turned to the idea of trust.

A lot of people in the session felt bloggers were discredited because they remained anonymous, Reynolds said. However, this fact didn't devalue the role of journalists. In fact, the two were viewed separately in the minds of many in attendance.

"They value journalists more than ever because they trust the source," Reynolds said.

In the real world, the two roles of blogger and journalist often are intertwined. Blogs have found their way into many ethical discussions in classrooms of Ernie Pyle Hall and even into the livelihood of students. Last winter, two Indiana Daily Student writers started a "basketblog" that resulted in full-time jobs, with pay, when AOL sports picked up their project. And current journalism students Ben Weller and Jonathan Hines have used the forum for communicating their journeys while traveling abroad.

Reynolds admitted that she herself is not a "blogger," although she does try to read those of students. Yet, she continues to have offers of speaking on the topic.

The Mini University session was presented to her by the Alumni Association due to a high interest in the topic, she said, and this spring she led a similar presentation at Meadowood Retirement Community.

As for the journalistic merit of blogging, Reynolds is not offering any blanket statements.

"Like anything, it depends on the blog," she said. "You have to be an informed consumer to get the full benefit of the blog.

"My general approach is to focus not only on blogging, but things the school has been discussing: How does all this technology change journalism, and does it?" she said.

The public needs this information, too, she said.

"It's important to have discussions about journalism with all different kinds of people," Reynolds said. "We get different insights."

She also likes to brag on currents students using the new medium.

"It's nice to be able to show people some of the interesting things go on here, to a completely different audience," she said of student blogs.

Regardless of how blogs will fit in the future, Reynolds said they are a definitely a part of the future of journalism.

For those unable to attend Mini University, but interested in the classes offered, a podcast will be available through the IU Alumni Association Web site.