photo courtesy of flikrAfter reading widely from the suggested topic 1 readings about blogs and considering the opinions of each of the authors I have come to believe in blogs in eductional settings as a very important and valuable tool for 21st century students.
I will start with the functionality of blogs. They are ridiculously easy to create and maintain making them a very accessable ICT for use in the classroom. Blogs allow individuals to share information and opinions, read and reflect on what other students know and believe in a way that is not always possible in verbal classroom discussions and reflections.
One of the greatest things about blogs as an ICT for learning, I believe, is how they provide students with an authentic writing task where students will write with purpose and for an audience. Knowing that their blogs will be read and reflected on by others would encourage most students to give their best (providing the purpose for blogging was purposeful and relevent to learning and not just because the teacher said so).
Another strong advocating point for blogs in educational settings is their 'constructivist' nature. The practice of blogging, and considering other students blogs is digital social learning at it's best. In the article 'Educational Blogging' by Stephen Downes, Ken Smith is stated as saying "Blogging, at base, is writing down what you think when you read others. If you keep at it others will eventually write down what they think when they read you, and you'll enter a new realm of blogging, a new realm of human connection". This completely reflects Vygotsky's social constructivist learning theory.
I believe that George Siemens 'Connectivism' as learning theory for the digital age as very realistic. It is true that with so many advancements in science to technology etc. that information is always changing. Blogs in educational settings are an excellent opportunity for students to put into practice and define their critical literacy skills, and to learn the essential skills they will need to survive in the future of the information age.
Blogs can cater to individuals of a wide range of learning styles. The text and intellectual conversation will appeal to linguistic learners, the images (concept maps for example) can cater to visual learners and video or links posted on the blog will support aural learners and also Prensky's 'Digital Natives' who we would rather engage not enrage!
I have read the opinions of those who can find some weaknesses and critisisms of blogs for learning but I thoroughly believe that all the strengths of blogs as learning tools far outweigh these minor factors.
I will start with the functionality of blogs. They are ridiculously easy to create and maintain making them a very accessable ICT for use in the classroom. Blogs allow individuals to share information and opinions, read and reflect on what other students know and believe in a way that is not always possible in verbal classroom discussions and reflections.
One of the greatest things about blogs as an ICT for learning, I believe, is how they provide students with an authentic writing task where students will write with purpose and for an audience. Knowing that their blogs will be read and reflected on by others would encourage most students to give their best (providing the purpose for blogging was purposeful and relevent to learning and not just because the teacher said so).
Another strong advocating point for blogs in educational settings is their 'constructivist' nature. The practice of blogging, and considering other students blogs is digital social learning at it's best. In the article 'Educational Blogging' by Stephen Downes, Ken Smith is stated as saying "Blogging, at base, is writing down what you think when you read others. If you keep at it others will eventually write down what they think when they read you, and you'll enter a new realm of blogging, a new realm of human connection". This completely reflects Vygotsky's social constructivist learning theory.
I believe that George Siemens 'Connectivism' as learning theory for the digital age as very realistic. It is true that with so many advancements in science to technology etc. that information is always changing. Blogs in educational settings are an excellent opportunity for students to put into practice and define their critical literacy skills, and to learn the essential skills they will need to survive in the future of the information age.
Blogs can cater to individuals of a wide range of learning styles. The text and intellectual conversation will appeal to linguistic learners, the images (concept maps for example) can cater to visual learners and video or links posted on the blog will support aural learners and also Prensky's 'Digital Natives' who we would rather engage not enrage!
I have read the opinions of those who can find some weaknesses and critisisms of blogs for learning but I thoroughly believe that all the strengths of blogs as learning tools far outweigh these minor factors.
Hi Kellie,
ReplyDeleteYou have clearly explained the functionally of blogs. I found that I was learning more just by reading your blog. "Knowing that their blogs will be read and reflected on by others would encourage most students to give their best". I like this statement because it's such a great reason why blogs can be a positive influence on learning.
~Selina~
Hi Selena
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, im glad you have found my post useful, having this assignment as a blog has allowed a lot of people to learn from perspectives that an individual assignment would never have provided. Personally I have found it more engaging and rewarding that any other uni assignment.
Kellie