Well, as I hope you can see, I have been playing around in the
vast virtual void, searching for interesting print presentation styles and alluring images. Unfortunately, I have observed that this can become a high priority for some students, taking precedence over content and consuming much of their allocated time.
Blogging has many applications in education: it can involve and engage young minds, inititate discussion and a sharing of ideas. It offers instant feedback and by maintaining an archive of comments, it provides a history of the conversation. It can become another mode of delivery for resources, providing a central source for a variety of mediums - a combination of videos, slideshows and text. I am sure that students will take a greater care and pride in their work when it is published as a blog.
Being especially interested in young adult fiction and encouraging reading, I think the use of blogs would enhance the reading experience for many students. Some are quite reticent/shy or too committed to other activities to attend regular meetings, whereas they would feel less anxious in contributing to a blog about their reading. It also offers an equal voice to each participant, something which may not always happen in "live" discussions where some tend to dominate. It also allows time for reflection, where meetings have scheduled time parameters.
Comments posted on other blogs:
Whilst I cannot agree about the addictiveness of blogging, I concur with your observation on the enthusiasm it engenders. This will surely be reflected in our students' approach and will hopefully mean that the pride they will take in seeing their work on such public display will mean more engaged learning.
Keep plugging away...
Cath
Hi Cath
ReplyDeleteAs I look at other people’s blogs it is interesting what you learn and observe. I really thought it was pertinent what you said about the Blogs creating a historical record of what has been said and done. So often students move from one direction to the next in what they think and say and at times don’t (or won’t) be accountable for what heir views are. Using the blog with and for students may be a tool to get them to see how their final views have been shaped but more importantly may allow them to reflect on why their opinions have changed but also “owning” the views they expressed along the way.