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
I believe this study hits the nail on the head when it comes to integrating technology into the classroom. Without proper modeling from the instructor it can really be a hit or miss media form. I find the feedback is the most difficult part for me to follow through with in the classroom. I have done blogs before and ended up forgetting about them because I never found a way give constant feedback. Great article!
ReplyDeleteHensteach
No pressure on the instructor. Ahh, but at this level of higher education we are all instructors. Whew! I can share the pressure. I'd like to think that I'm striving to be that model instructor but I'm a pretty ordinary guy with the same 24-hour days that everyone, and every other teacher, has been allocated and I need my sleep also especially now that medicare is a part of my life.
ReplyDeleteYour comments on the article demonstrate that each of us is a teacher. Thanks.
Thank you for reviewing this article. I also read one that referenced how important it is for the leader of the class to keep students engaged. It makes me wonder, however, why we're all pushing to blogs when another media, like online forums, might accomplish many of the same goals blogging attempts. Students are still able to state opinions, review opinions of others, and practice their writing skills in a public forum.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious to take these same students and see how they felt working with a forum tool instead of blogging and see the positives and negatives they felt after that experience.