Week 3 - Blog Reflection

Technology is changing the way we interact

 

 

As part of the Information and Communication Technology for Learning Design subject I am required to write a reflection on my experience of blogging.

 

 

When first faced with the task of creating a blog I was completely perplexed as to what website to use to make a blog, how to start, what to write, how to edit it, etc. I basically had NO IDEA what I was doing. Although I am a Gen-Yer it took me two years after everyone had myspace to finally make a page. When I did, Facebook emerged and seemingly took over the need for Myspace. After a good year or so I made a Facebook page and was hooked! I love it! I'm not a frequent poster but I am a frequent viewer (if that makes sense). So Facebook was perfect for seeing what my friends were up to.

 

However Blogging is quite different. You are actually required to create posts. Posts that people want to read. hmmmmm.. this is new! So what exactly is a blog?

 

 

 

 

Wikipedia gives this explanation

 

 

‘A blog is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called “blogging”. Individual articles on a blog are called “blog posts,” “posts” or “entries”. A person who posts these entries is called a “blogger”. A blog comprises text, hypertext, images, and links (to other web pages and to video, audio and other files). Blogs use a conversational style of documentation. Often blogs focus on a particular “area of interest”, such as Washington, D.C.’s political goings-on. Some blogs discuss personal experiences.’ Source.

 

This video goes further and explains the functionality of blogs and the way that blogs present news and information in a 21st century format. News is no longer merely factual.. it's personal too.

 

 

 

So where am I going with this? What is the overall purpose of a blog and how can it be used in the classroom as a learning tool? I used a PMI (Plus Minus Interesting) tool to examine its potential.

Blog	Plus	Minus	Interesting
	Online learning space readily accessible to all students	Students could have technical issues at home (eg. Computer broken/ internet not working) so they can’t access information	What could you use as a backup??
	Easy to update	Students could fall behind unless regularly accessing it	Ensure archiving is understood and used
	Personalised	Students may not be engaged unless it is visually/ technologically appealing.	Students can explore available links to videos, pictures, etc about the topic.
	Ability to comment. Teachers can see students thought processes about information presented.	Inappropriate commenting. Teacher must set clear guidelines for interactions.	Can be used as an engagement activity (i.e homework) task, in which students have to comment about articles, stories, etc.
	Means of collaboration through the sharing of links, information, etc.		Encourages students to explore issues further by utilizing other digital technology sites such as youtube.
	Provides limitless sources of information and learning opportunities	Requires specific skills to use effectively.	Relatively easy to learn how to use.
	Engaging for today’s learners	Needs to be used as a compulsory part not extra work for those who want to do it	Learners need to feel comfortable when using this type of online environment.
	Encourages reflection	Possible lack of confidence expressing opinions online	By making it mandatory students are required to analyze information in a way that they otherwise wouldn’t

So in reflection...

Blogs are fun! They are an ideal learner-centred resource as students are already online and able to navigate the web.  


They provide a readily accessible learning space, with students able to access blogs on their phones, iPads, iPods and computers. It takes learning beyond the classroom, with students able to access the blog and its wealth of information anywhere with internet access.

 
In a blog, students are encouraged to reflect on information presented, share their own ideas/opinions and contribute additional information. Previous posts are archived in reverse chronological order, so that learners can access prior topics at any time which is ideal for the sequential learner. Teachers can account for the global learner by providing an overview blog post at the introduction of a unit of study. These elements of a blog help learners form connections between information and link that information with other relevant concepts. This is an important factor in the Connectivist theory of learning, as it states that knowing how and where to get information is more important than knowing (Central Queensland University, 2013).

In the Engagement Activity 1 description the teacher is viewed as the “facilitator” in that they merely direct the students towards a focus area and let them inquire, assess, evaluate and question the information presented to them. The blog space allows them to analyse, evaluate and apply their prior and new knowledge of the materials presented by posting comments. These comments create a discussion between learners and teachers. This collaborative discussion is an important element in the constructivist theory, as scaffolding provides a means for learners to return to the conversations and evaluate, justify and build knowledge (Central Queensland University, 2013). Also, the ability to provide regular updates help the teacher to monitor students’ learning and better understand each child’s learning style, enabling scaffolded learning through feedback and mentoring. (Crie, 2006) 

Dunsiger (2011) presents some simple and effective ways of blogging in a primary classroom across a range of subjects. 

Blogging in a primary classroom from adunsiger

One important aspect that cannot be overlooked when blogging is that of safety. When blogging, as with any online source, students need to be aware of their digital footprint. Clear guidelines need to be put in place relating to how and what they post. Including a section on the blog that asks students to consider their answers to questions such as “would I be happy for my parents to read what I am about to post?” would help to instill in them a sense of responsibility for everything they post. Below is an example of online safety rules for blogging. This could be a good introductory task, where the students make up their own rules for working online. The teacher can gage how much students understand about internet safety and build on their prior learning in relation to 

 

Ethical - what is acceptable language and code of conduct when utilizing online tools

 

Legal - Plagiarism, referencing, citing, etc

Safety - How can we keep our students safe in relation to privacy and prevent exposure to inappropriate material 

Security - Using individual passwords for each student and ensuring they keep their details private

 

 

Source: http://techieteacherstricks.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/blogging-in-the-classroom/

References

1. Dunsiger, A 2011. ‘Blogging in a Primary Classroom’, Aviva Dunsiger, Wiki article, Feruary 11 2011, accessed 20 March 2013, <http://www.slideshare.net/adunsiger/blogging-in-a-primary-classroom>
2. Crie, M 2006, Using Blogs to Integrate Technology in the Classroom, Teaching Today, accessed 20 March 2012, <http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47>
3. Central Queensland University (2013). A Brief Overview of Learning Theory. Retrieved 20 March 2013 from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/mod/page/view.php?id=115326