Monday, October 26, 2009

BP2_2009111_BloggingforEDU


Using blogging in education is how to mash things together. What is education? It is a process of learning, enlightenment, and knowledge. The definition doesn't say that education only happens in a classroom. Educational blogs are a way of breaking the walls down between the classroom and anywhere else. In the 21st century, that means also collaborating with others. The classroom is still an important place for discussion, but sharing can and should be done outside of the class.

Digital Native students are used to this collaborative culture for social reasons, developing the practice for use in education is a natural extension of the classroom. Duffy and Bruns (2006) described the use of blogs, wikis and RSS feeds as a "Conversation of Possibilities." Each tool has the potential to help a student write their ideas, relate incoming information to it, and have interaction with other students about concepts and ideas.

Richardson (2006) described how the use of blogging, wikis and RSS feeds can promote critical thinking skills, creativity, analytical thinking and has the potential for learning with access to new, relevant information. It is a combination of solitary work of writing and collaboration through the social interaction of commenting.

Blogging allows students to blog at a time and place of their own making giving them freedom to set their own learning agenda. Discussions started in the classroom can be expanded over time after there is a time for reflection by students and teacher alike. Everyone participates in the discussion. In this manner, education is extended outside of the formal classroom and becomes a organic part of each student's daily life rather than a task to be completed.

In short, blogging creates a student-centric learning experience where self-discovery and peer-to-peer teaching take the place of one-way teacher-driven lecture environments. Students learn to express themselves and they can monitor a change in thinking over time. (See Slideshare on 11 advantages of using a blog for teaching).


Image from Creative Commons

1 comment:

  1. I love the "Conversation of Possibilities." and "In short, blogging creates a student-centric learning experience where self-discovery and peer-to-peer teaching take the place of one-way teacher-driven lecture environments." Fantastic statement and post!

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