Blogging: A Tool for Learning
What is a blog? A blog (sometimes referred to as a weblog) is a web publishing tool that allows authors to quickly and easily self-publish text, artwork, links to other blogs or web sites, and a whole array of other content. Blogs are set-up like conventional web sites, with navigation links, and other standard web site features. Blog postings are text entries, similar to a diary or journal, which include a posting date and may include comments by people other than the author, photos, links, or other digital media. Although blogs have been around for years, they have recently gained in popularity and consequently have received more media coverage. Blogs work well for students because they can be worked on at virtually any time, in any place with an Internet-enabled computer. Hence, they can be used by computer-teachers to create a classroom that extends beyond the boundaries of the school yard.
Further, blogs are user-friendly technology. Fortunately for teachers, blogs are surprisingly easy to use. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Unlike many traditional web sites, they are flexible in design and can be changed relatively easily. Best of all, students will find them convenient and accessible via home or library computers. Blogging has also educational benefits. In addition to providing teachers with an excellent tool for communicating with students, there are numerous educational benefits of blogs. First, blogs are highly motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become participants in classrooms. Second, excellent opportunities for students to read and write. Third, effective forums for collaboration and discussion, and lastly, a powerful tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.
As an educational tool, blogs may be integrated in a multi-faceted manner to accommodate all learners. Blogs can serve at least four basic functions. First, in classroom management. Class blogs can serve as a portal to foster a community of learners. As they are easy to create and update efficiently, they can be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board. Second, in collaboration. Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. They also make online mentoring possible. For example, a class of older students can help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. Students can also participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas, or suggestions. Third, in discussions. A class blog opens the opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to be reactive to one another and reflective. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog. Lastly, in student portfolios. Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing. Teachers and peers may conference with a student individually on a developing work, and expert or peer mentoring advice can be easily kept for future reference.
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