As with other activities, strategies and programmes I encounter which involve the use of technology; I’ve introduced my teenage son to blogging.
As I may have mentioned in previous blogs, he has taken to fishing and cooking this vacation. From anytime after 7 pm, he’s on the computer interacting with friends (when not texting,). Maybe, just maybe, I can gauge from his response, possible strategies I can use with my students in the upcoming school year.
I’ve transferred my own enthusiasm about finding a means to communicate- other than hotmail- with an audience which shares the similar interests to mine. Admittedly, I have come across many blogs over the years but never realised that such a system was readily accessible. Imagine my delight when I discovered that my son has since created his own blog to discuss- get this- political issues- with his peers. Each one of them can now have an equal opportunity to share their views- hmmm.
Apart from being very motivational to students, blogging provides an excellent opportunity for children to read and write, to collaborate and discuss and to foster scaffolding and peer mentoring. I look forward to comments and suggestions from my own peers concerning the use of web 2.0 technology.
I've included in this post an article about the benefits of blogging in the classroom to supplement the information we already have. Click on the link and let me know what you think.
http://www.levenslangleren.info/.../11-reasons-to-use-a-blog-in-your-classroom
You example is a true truly a demonstration of the fact that blogging gives voice to anyone—a parent, a writer, a publisher, a child—with an opinion. This is one of the reasons why the Web is such a vital resource as it allows almost anyone to contribute to its “holdings”. I have also read that blogging can facilitate group work as a study showed that students using blogs seem to be more attuned to their assignment and to their group members.They posted a work schedule with “To Do List,” “Tasks,” “Obligations,” and “Outline.”
ReplyDeleteThey delineated tasks in writing for all to see, seemingly making everyone accountable for both the task and completion date. Do you think this strategy can aid group work at tertiary institutions? Anyhow, I found this information in an article titled Blogging For Enhanced Teaching and Learning by Marie E. Flatley published in Business Communication quarterly / March 2005. I tried accessing your link but it did not work. You can look at this one as it also discusses some of the benefits of blogging. Feel free to place it on your post.
Title : The Prose (and a Few Cons, Too) of Blogging.
Author: Ramaswami, Rama
Source: T H E Journal; Nov2008, Vol. 35 Issue 11, p21-25, 5p
http://thejournal.com/articles/2008/11/01/the-prose-of-blogging-and-a-few-cons-too.aspx
As a matter of fact I do think it will be helpful since there is usually a lot of collaborative work being done at tertiary level. I further think it can be improved if it is maintained on a wiki so that each participant will be able not only to comment but to edit their assignment as they go along.
ReplyDeleteThanks too for the article.
Also, when you click on the link above, a second link opens and directs you to the article I spoke about.