Jordan's Practicum Project Practicum Blog Posts
Blog Post #1 I have been assigned Group 3: Internet Users, B: Support Groups. I am optimistic about becoming engaged in a group whos members are struggling every day and need an outlet to discuss their issues and gain support. Honestly I have never given any thought into support groups because fortunately my immediate family and friends havnt really had any severe problems with addiction, mental illness, or chronic disease. Typically when I think of support groups, I think of physical rehabilitation centers which involve therapist intervention and meetings were individuals are physically present. The internet has been revolutionary for those struggling because it allows people to communicate and gain support online. Before my research, I had no idea what types of online support groups were out there so I Googled them and found a list. I thought about immersing myself in a group for those suffering from something severe like meth addiction in order to gain a new perspective. After clicking around I stumbled on a site called KillTheCan.org. The site seemed credible, well maintained, and had consitant activity by member contributions. As a former chewing tobacco user, I felt this support group would be appropriate group for me to join because I could provide encouragement, express my techniques for success, and gain insight into other's tobacco addiction and the struggles they face. Through my engagement with the Kill The Can support group throughout the semester, I expect that I will actively participate in group chats, blogs, and forums by responding to other people's posts as well as creating my own. I hope to gain something out of this practicum project by actually helping people end their chewing tobacco addiction. I first accessed the site Sept 11, 2014 and the caption at the top of the webpage reads, "Quitters never forget September 11th, 2001. Fun Fact. Chewing is gross. Go Rams
Blog Post #2 KillTheCan.Org is an online resource designed to help quit chewing tobacco. The members of the online community are those who want to quit smokeless tobacco, those who are on the road to end their addiction, and those whom have already quit. The site specifically is constructed for those who have made the conscious decision to quit dipping and to gain support from the forums, blog spaces, live chats, related articles, and quit calculators that the site provides. What is unique about this online support community is that its not just a place to chat, the site has a section titled “Your Quit” which includes progress trackers making the site more personable and user friendly. Another thing I find appealing about this support group opposed to other online community support groups is that the comments on the forums are very encouraging, I’m yet to come across any negative rude or uninspiring comments. Typically there are a few assholes making inappropriate comments wether it be on YouTube or a support group for depression ect. The members of this online community seem to be united by a common bond seeking to end their addiction to smokeless tobacco. It is uplifting to see an online community that cares for each other and wants to better their own lives as well as others. There is a map of the U.S on the site that has pins showing where members are from the stretches across the entire United States. The site is updated regularly and provides links to other social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube ect.) and the site is professional overall. I’m glad I joined KillTheCan.org for this practicum project.
Blog Post #4 At this point in the project I am actively engaged on KillTheCan.Org and have participated by commenting on other member's forums as well as creating my own. After examining this site for a good amount of time I have come to the conclusion that this online support group is very beneficial for those seeking to quit tobacco. Not only is it beneficial, the site is composed of many members who have quit chewing tobacco all together because of the support from the site and are now giving support back to other members on the site who need it. I believe that many online support groups are ineffective because they arn't personable to the users. When people consider joining an online support group to improve some aspect of their life they must take into account the quality of the site in order to achieve success from that support group. KillTheCan.Org is a proven successful online support group, and perhaps the key to this success is positive commements and feedback, personalization, and an encouraging online environment.
Blog Post #5 My main goal with my engagement on Kill The Can. Org at this point in the project is to provide positive encouragement and advice to those struggling to end their addiction. Because I was able to quit, I want to share to other members that it is posssible and give them appropriate advice to better their health. One aspect that Ive come to acknowlege about Online support groups is that they are usually free of charge. I think that this is one very positive feature of the internet, it has allowed for communities and support groups to communicate and help eachother without paying anything like you may have to when joining a rehabilitation center or an institution of the sort. One thing that intrigues me about Online Support Groups is how many people actually utilize them to seek help. After being part of an online support group for some time now, I have concluded that they can be very encouraging and motivational for people, especially on my site.