Creating a Blog - Reflection

Blogging is now a both a popular and commonly used tool for academic, recreational and businesses purposes. The term blog comes from the contraction of web log and is becoming increasing used as a tool in today’s classrooms.  In this reflection, the usefulness and potential of blogging in the teaching context will be examined.  To begin this discussion a SWOT analysis of the tool will be considered:

SWOT Analysis of Blogging as a Learning Tool
Strengths: ·         Easy to use and free ·         Good tool for literacy development ·         Instant gratification for the author ·         Engaging for user ·         Multimedia possibilities ·         Portability – can be accessed anywhere ·         Can be used as an information repository ·         Students can connect with other loci of information, both human and non-human Keeps cronological record of student work	Weaknesses: ·         Relies on self-motivation of user ·         Technology can break down ·         Technological skill of user required ·         May allow for limited teacher control
Opportunities: ·         Collaboration ·         Immediate feedback ·         Creation of “mashups” using blog ·         Can be accessed on a variety of tools, e.g. PCs and mobile devices ·         Students with poor literacy skills can still contribute using podcasting or video uploads ·         Good opportunity to get to know students	Threats: ·         Possibilities for cyber bullying in comments ·         Needs to be monitored ·         Could be hacked

Blogs can be used effectively with students at a variety of ages and levels, but scaffolding and adult assistance would have to be used accordingly.  By writing or recording their thoughts in a blog, students can gain a variety of benefits that conform to several learning theories. By practicing literacy and ICT skills when blogging, students gain positive reinforcement which is noted as prerequisite for learning in the behaviourist model of learning. Cognitivist theory is also supported as blogging is a valuable tool for linking information to what is already known by the learner as it gives ample opportunity for the chunking and organisation of information.  This may then add information to long term memory and thus support or add to the individual’s schema (Fasso, 2013).

Siemens (Siemens, 2004) suggests that Connectivism is the learning theory for the digital age and blogging also seems to meet the requirements of this theory as it is a networked from of learning using both computers and the internet.  However, it would appear that Constructivist theory best describes the way in which a blog can be used by children to learn by their own experiences and that of their peers (Fasso, 2013), thereby constructing new ideas and knowledge.

In my own use of a blog as a tool for learning, I have found it an excellent means of recording my feelings and experiences in a new learning environment, that is, as an online student. This should transpose nicely into a variety of learning environments as it is flexible. As it will be a primary school that I will be using this tool in, I feel that with adequate scaffolding it should be successful.  For examples, if you are working with a year three class, as a teacher you would have to ensure that the children have the ICT skills to create their blog and if not create it for them.  Older students would be expected to create their own.

When used as a journal, its reading can be an effective way for a teacher to get to know their student.  As a writing tool, it can be used with any topic.  As it can be edited later, it is an effective method for draft work to be presented to the teacher for comment. With peer feedback, further opportunities for growth and the consolidation of ideas are also offered.

When used with younger children such as year 3 students, scaffolding would have to include:

·         Suggested websites if research is required

·         Suitable picture sources

·         Explanation of copyright and Creative Commons sources

·         Permission from parents or guardians if images of students are to be published

Bibliography

Fasso, W. (2013, February 21). A Brief OVerview of Learning Theory. EDED20491 ICTs for Learning Design.

Siemens, G. (2004, December 12). Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. Retrieved March 17, 2013, from elearnspace: http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm