BP2_2010011_EducationalUsesforBlogs

from Technology & Learning

Using Blogs in the Classroom

Many teachers believe that blogging or web logs should be used for journaling. The problem with educators beliefs about blogging is that many do not use them correctly or fail to understand the full capacity of their worth. For instance using them as journals can make more work and the educators job more difficult. The blog should be used as conversion starters instead (Utecht, 2007).

The blog can be used for "real life" applications; For instance used as conversation starters can spark debate. Once the conversations are added the commenting can begin. Students can have conversations from people from all backgrounds and beliefs. These conversations help the students learn through sharing their ideas and thoughts as well as listening to others (Utecht, 2007).

Another example of using blogs to engage students is to document a trip to a place that everyone may not have a chance to go to. For example Riddle an elementary teacher started a blog on her trip to China for her third grade students. The students were able to see Riddle's daily logs of her experiences as well as slide shows, Google maps, and videos telling of her experiences. This type of teaching can engage the student and allow them to become an interactive participate of the learning taking place (Hong, 2008).

In Science blogs can be used to make the students the "content experts". Students can become familiar with theories and even form some of their own and see what others think and maybe expand upon an idea because of someones comment on a topic within the blog. Science which is based on theories and opinions seems like a logical place to allow the students to use more higher order critical thinking skills in order to truly learn content and not just memorize it (Brownstein & Klein, 2006).

Blogs are turning up more and more in education and its usefulness has endless potential because it relies on the educators and teachers themselves to continue to improve upon them.

References

Brownstein, E., & Klein, R. (2006). Blogs: Applications in Science Education. Journal of College Science Teaching, 35(6), 18-22. Retrieved from ERIC database.

Hong, W. (2008). Exploring Educational Use of Blogs in U.S. Education. Online Submission, Retrieved from ERIC database.

Utecht, J. (2007). Blogs Aren't the Enemy; How Blogs Enhance Learning. Voice from Techlearning.com. Technology & Learning, 27(9), 32. Retrieved from ERIC database.