Honestly, for so long now I’ve
wondered what was the real purpose for a blog. I was jealous of the people who
had the time to make blogs and even more envious of the people who were able to
spend hours reading them broadening their fun facts. I was always thinking
about how interesting they are and how I’d love to be that ‘cool’. Well, well,
well, here I am- a blogging extraordinaire. Not really but I am going to
reflect on blogs and why they’re extraordinary.
So what is a blog, ey? A blog is a common
term for ‘web-blog’, its actually a website that promotes communication
regarding a particular subject or is a point of record for a personal diary
entry (Zawilinski, 2009) on really
important things like how unbelievable delicious your acai bowl and double shot
coconut latte was at that awesome cafe’ in the old ambulance station, or about
the new shirt you bought super cheap and all of the ways you can wear it!
Fellow bloggers are able to subscribe to their peer’s and keep updated with current
fads, news and research. Bloggers can draw inspiration from each other as they
comment and discuss relevant topics. Blogs can be customised to individual
preferences. Layout, font, background and colours can be altered and pictures,
videos, and links can be embedded. Basically, blogs are apart of the 21st
centenary phenomenon and when you really delve deep into what a blog is, you
may have to pinch yourself because a blog is proof we are living in the future.
So, what does blogging mean for the
education world? Beautiful things or another time consuming, inconvenience for
teachers? Morris (2009) believes the blogging notion is impacting classrooms
positively as it encourages children to task risks as they move in and out of serious
and playful experiences and reflections, and they bring awareness to public and
private writing. As students navigate each others blogs and discuss information
via posts and comments, they are integrating traditional and online reading
competencies which supports and builds their online reading comprehension (Zawilinski,
2009). These experiences encourage learners to move in and out of the various
stages of Bloom’s Taxonomy as they critically analyse, question and synthesize
diverse perspective as well as develop the the necessary online problem solving
skills needed to be literate in the 21st century (Zawilinski, 2009).
The Blogger concept is strongly underpinned by the social and cognitive
constructivist theory as it designed in a way which helps students build onto
their existing knowledge as students as they participate in discussion, and
educators are encouraged to be the supportive facilitator. It also links with connectivism as children
are encouraged to reseach, comment, collaborate and embedded relevant links and
information within their blog. Blogger has also drawn influences from
behaviorism, as children are able to receive around the clock feedback, when
appropriate and children are able to work at own pace.
There are many ways Blogger can be used as a teaching learning
tool some are:
Blogging can be a Substituted for a reflective journal on
a learning journey, Augmented in the
sense learners can reflect on their learning journey at anytime and build from
home beyond curriculum, Modified by
having children comment on eachother learning journey, assisting them with
skills and comprehension and can be Redefined
by connecting with classroom in other areas of the world instantly and
comparing learning journeys etc (SAMR). Blogging is great as it redefines
collaboration as children can collaborate with classmate and like-minded people
all over the word.
So how can 21st century
educators use this marvel to their advantage? Oh, in so many ways. PLUS:
∆ Build children’s traditional and online literacy skills.
∆ Increases students engagement to literacy.
∆ Caters for all learners, eg children are able to upload
audio as opposed to writing, when appropriate, if preferred
∆ Provides opportunity for formative assessment
∆ Encourages students to explore (constructivism).
∆ Provides opportunity for teachers to get to know their
learners
∆ Simple and easy way for teachers to communicate with
students and parents regarding up coming events and expectations, examples and
criteria for tasks ect
∆ Simple way of students communicating and understanding
tasks with peers (constructivism).
∆ Increases students accountability and ownership of tasks,
promoting authenticity in learning experiences
∆ Children are able to work in their own time
(behaviourism).
∆ Easy opportunity for feedback between student and teacher,
and students and student around the clock (behaviourism)
∆ Easily accessible
∆ Encourages students to explore the internet and embedded
content related to tasks and their own interests – children encouraged to
collaborate and discuss these points (connectivism)
So what’s not so good about this
movement? MINUS:
∆ Student work samples online forever
∆ Students work samples may be open for unfair and
unnecessary criticisms or comparison between parents
∆ Instructions for task may be misinterpreted if not
explicit.
∆ Children will have to be taught online etiquette which is
time consuming. It may also not be taken seriously and this may impact
student/s negatively.
∆ Children could provide unwanted/ unfair/ incorrect
feedback- cyberbullying
∆ Student’s work may not be saved and all lost.
∆ Sometimes tricky to work out
∆ One user
What’s a little interesting?
INTERESTING:
∆ Blogging is the way of the future.
∆ Facebook is a big blog. Moodle is probably a blog too
∆ Here are some interesting blogs:
Well if that’s not enough to sway you
then, I’m not sure you can be swayed. Blogging for me will fit nicely into my
classroom correlating with my constructivist approach to learning. I love the
notion for authentic learning and blogs are so individualized. Children are
able to take ownership of their learning and have fun while they do it! I also
love how it’s a point of contact between parents and teachers. I’ve had experience at a school which had a
micro blog for each class and a macro blog for the school. It was a simple and
very effective way for the community to connect and feel in the loop with what
their child is currently learning and loving.
Blogger OUWT, xx
Reference:
Morris, G. (ND). Using Blogs in the Classroom. Retrieved from: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/UMICH/sweetland/Home/Instructors/Teaching%20Resources/UsingBlogsintheClassroom.pdf
Zawilinski, L. (2009). HOT Blogging: A framework for blogging to
promote higher order thinking. The Reading Teacher. 62(8), pp 650-611.
Retrieved from: http://www.nesacenter.org/uploaded/conferences/SEC/2014/handouts/Teacher_Workshops/JeziorskiNESA2014.pdf
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