Blogs

According to dictionary.com a blog, or web log, is "...an online diary" or "a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a web page". I have been enjoying writing posts for my blog. Now that I am used to blogging it seems very easy to use and access.

There are many ways in which blogging technology can be utilised for educational purposes. I have found that blogging can be an effective means of critical reflection. Blogging is a ‘user-friendly’ way of engaging in critical reflection on pedagogical practices and educational issues.

Blogs can also be effective tools for enhancing collaboration. Duffy and Bruns suggest that blogs are “....a socially mobile learning environment” (2006). Blogs can be utilised to encourage students to share ideas and reflect on learning experiences. Teachers can communicate with other teachers through blogging to build professional networks and share ideas and perspectives.

This blog is an innovative approach to parent and teacher communication. It is an interesting example of another way in which blogs can enhance collaboration and communication. Here is a blog that has been used facilitate school- wide communication. Kearsley and Schneiderman suggest that effective learning occurs within collaborative experiences (1999). Blogs can be easily utilised to design collaborative learning experiences.

The possibilities for learning using blogs seem endless. Williams and Jacobs note that blogging “...has the potential to be a transformational technology for teaching and learning” (2004). Blogs can be used to facilitate highly effective pedagogical practices, such as, peer assessment, formative evaluation, individual and group reflections and the development of authentic learning experiences.

According to the ICT learning design framework, learning design comprises of three key elements: tasks that learners are required to do, resources that support learners to conduct the task and support mechanisms that exist from the teacher implementing it (Oliver, 1999). A blog is an effective learning resource. However, authentic learning tasks and teacher support are also needed to facilitate effective learning.

While blogs present many innovative possibilities for learning, experiences need to be carefully designed and implemented. Blogs need to provide students with a means of engaging with a meaningful task that is linked to ‘real world’ contexts. Learning experiences involving blogging may require extensive scaffolding, particularly for students who are unfamiliar with this technology. A long-term learning experience that utilises blogging, such as a unit, may require students to access the blog from home. Teachers need to ensure that all students have access to the internet at home before planning units to ensure that learning experiences are inclusive.