Ahh, to blog or not to blog. I personally think the biggest challenge that K-State students face is blogging in a safe and academic setting. Currently, Axio isn't set up to allow blogging, which can pose a bit of a challenge. They are working on the functionality, but what they are finding is it isn't as easy to integrate blogging and wiki software directly into the established platform.
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Blogging also allows an area for free thought. I have used them in a previous class for reflection. Sometimes I am not the most eloquent writer, so this causes a little personal frustration. In addition, I feel like blogging needs to be interesting. I follow a few blogs, but I follow them because of the way they are written and expressed. There is almost an artistic component to it, which is an area that I have some opportunity.
When comparing and contrasting blogging to message board posts, I tend to lean more towards message board posting, mostly because it allows, for my learning style, a more organized way to present and follow threads of several people, where a blog is more focused on one person's reflection.
What I did find interesting was how the case studies showed the most success in three people exercises (King & Cox, 2011). Having the same people review your blog throughout the semester could provide beneficial feedback. I think that there is a place for blogging in the classroom, especially as a reflection tool, but when it comes to engaging several people into a discussion, I prefer the message board format.
I agree with your comment about "Blogs being used for free thought." and "one persons reflection." I started my own personal blog not to long ago and I find it comforting to just say whatever is on my mind.
ReplyDeleteDo you think student's personal blogs are a useful tool for educational purposes?
Your comment about blogging as a reflection tool got me thinking about the differences between blogging and discussion boards. What we write on a discussion board and what we actually think as expressed in a blog might be very different. Discussion boards require us to make connections between the course material and the subject under discussion with a limited audience whereas, a blog is more a reflection of our experiences expressed in a manner of our choosing, given a much wider audience. It seems a blog provides us a public forum to express our personality and individualism, whereas discussion boards impose some level of restriction. Oravec (2002), referred to blogging as a personal journal, which represents our reflections of a particular topic or idea. Reflection allow us freedom of thought and careful consideration of ideas.
ReplyDeleteIf what I am thinking is not completely off base, how then does an instructor use a blog to insure understanding and application (learning) of course materials given more freedom of thought in a public forum? Does the use of blogs as a learning platform require instructors to give up some level of control and does that have an influence on learning outcomes?
BTW, your personality comes through in your blog ☺ Love the purple!
Reference
Oravec, J. (2002). Bookmarking the world: Weblog applications in educationJournal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 45(7),
pp. 616-621.
You have hit on a few good points here. When looking at how blogs can be used in the Adult Educational setting we have been asked to discuss the pros and the cons. A blog is most definitely a different form of communication and expression. I have also involved myself in discussion boards which are more interactive and collaborative in my opinion. It is more along the lines of an online conversation. When you use a format like a discussion board you do lose the individual personality and creativity that you have on a blog. A blog is YOUR space that looks and "feels" like you. I would imagine that some personality types will struggle with blogging because of what you have said about your personality.
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