Students Preceive Blogging as Helpful

The second article I found was a British study by Daniel Churchill published in the British Journal of  Educational Technology entitled, "Educational Applications of Web 2.0: Using Blogs to Support Teaching
and Learning" (Churchill, 2009). This article focused on one semester where the instructor evaluated the effectiveness of blogs on student learning. The valuable part of this article was two tables. One outlined how blogs were used and the second showed the students perception of the value of  blogs.

The list of activities included tasks covered by the instructors blog, the instructors interacts with the students' blogs, the students' activities/assignments for their blogs, and interactions with other students and the instructor. The extensive list provides a point of reference for those interested in the responsibilities of each interactive group and shows the interactive nature of blogs through the listing of the tasks.

The students rated blogging as being beneficial to their learning in the course and that it helped to create a sense of community. The highest rankings from students came from being able to interact with the instructor through feedback and through the instructors blog.

While Churchill (2009) says learning took place with blogging, I think learning is more effective anytime students receive feedback from instructors and anytime students feel instructors are "going the extra mile". As in all tools for teaching, the instructor needs to have a passion for teaching the way they teach. If their passion shows and the instructor is engaged in the learning process along with their students, learning can be dynamic no matter how high or low tech the instruction.

While the article offered support for blogging, it, like most of the articles I read, stated that the instructor needs to encourage engagement in the activity by being involved in blogging and demonstrating how to use the tool.

Reference:

Churchill, D. (2009). Educational applications of Web 2.0: Using blogs to support teaching and learning. British Journal Of Educational Technology, 40(1), 179-183. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00865.x

Blogging with Caution

The Chronicle of Higher Education article entitled, "Blog Overload", offered both praise and caution for the use of blogs in education (Dawson, 2007).  Dawson, an associate professor of educational technology,  offers practical ideas on how to make blog use successful in education. There were two suggestions that stood out to me. The key to ensuring a quality blogging learning experience for students is to make sure the instructor blogs and demonstrates the process to students. In addition, the author recommends that blogs be one option for sharing knowledge as not all students will flourish in the blogging environment.

I liked the practical side of this article from someone well versed in using technology. The cautions to offer a balance for students so they are not overwhelmed by the blogging experience resonate with me as a learner. When I am asked to demonstrate learning in the same manner over the course of a term, I too tend to not respond as positively at the end of the term as I did in the beginning. I think this holds true no matter what tool we are using to help our students learn whether it be the latest technology or our favorite tried and true method of instruction.

Dawson, K. M. (2007). Blog Overload. Chronicle Of Higher Education, 53(22), C2-C3.

Introduction CSE694

I am in my second term of the Info Tech program at WOU and enjoying myself immensely. I find the more I explore technology the more I discover myself. While I am not afraid of technology I have never really embraced it. I do own a cell phone and have long since eliminated my land line. However, I do not have a smart phone or know how to use the technology that goes along with it. My computer is a lap top because I enjoy the freedom of being able to use my computer where I want to go rather than where the computer needs to sit.

Over the past few years I have wanted to implement more technology in my teaching and in my advising. I teach in smart classrooms and use the doc cam and that is about it. I really think if the university I work at is going to invest in creating smart classrooms, I should learn how to teach with the tools available. Since my career is educating people, I think that technology will help me do this better and help me reach more people.

This is my first introduction to blogging. I have glanced at other people's blogs but have never really looked at, followed, or written comments on one before. I hope to be able to find a use for my blog to reach more students on my campus.