Blog Usage
As an online instructor, how do you see yourself using blogs as part of your online course?
@kellywilkinson
In Economics, there are many opportunities for students to write about the economy, their experiences in the job market or in buying a home. It helps them tie the class to their own observations and instances where they knew they were experiencing an economic event. Many times student don't know that they already know some economics in the real world and writing aobut it helps them make the connection.
I intend you use Twitter as a way to have my students introduced to different perspectives and I also would like to use blogs as a way for my students to help each other. This way, we can incorporate the traditional discussion and sharing that would be done in the classroom and place it in the new medium by utilizing technology. I see it as a "win win" situation.
Students may also debate the merits of a revisionist question. In an online environment a F2F debate is not entirely possible. Though it may be possible to explore the merits of Abraham Lincoln's attempt to abolish slavery or Columbus attempt to enslave the Natives of the New World. True or not history has placed perspective in the history books -- for which a blog will allow students to debate.
Blog usage can be an elaboration tool for students. Maybe an opportunity for student free writing on opinion that is not tied to a peer response or specific article. Often times students bring something unique and special to a topic -- Humanities Classes in particular -- attracts people from diverse backgrounds and geographies.
Also, Blogs can a be a place for students to introduce and share about their background -- when generally the Discussion Bard and assignments provide no opportunity.
Cristy,
Good for you. Make sure students understand the purpose of the Blog. You don't want to add to the workload for you or them!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Cristy,
Good for you. Make sure students understand the purpose of the Blog. You don't want to add to the workload for you or them!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I have never done blogging before but I think it is something that I may try. I think it will be interesting and students will find it engaging.
Milka,
That is a great tool. Also, you can have students follow a blog then discuss implications through discussion board. You could compare experts in a certain field.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Sharing outside resources and comentary that is not typically used in course. For example speaking about newspaper articles or blogging about a current event that is related to the course subject matter but not directly studied or used as case study.
Thomas,
What do you think would be the way you can make sure students are using blogging the way you ask them to?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I would use it as a role model for them to use in blogging, showing how it integrated events and trends in the world with materials from the classroom to enhance their learning.
Dr. Christopher,
Good for you. I find when I work on my online courses, I improve my f2f courses by initiating the technology with strategies of good learning and teaching. Go for it!
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
While currently I am not teaching online I plan on trying to convince some of our in-classroom instructors to use blogs. I administer the technology side of a career school and design curriculum and we have every student on the LMS to support their classroom learning activities. Our classroom (face to face) instructors could use this technology to supplement their classes as well. I think I am going to explore that option.
-Chris
Earl,
These are great techniques. Do you provide your students with "good" and "bad" examples of posts? I to think this helps them understand the expectations.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Fortunately, my institution already does this. The trickiest part is getting students to really engage with one another in passionate conversation. I've definitely found that referencing other students' posts in my comments to someone helps to facilitate conversation.
I also try to use what I call a "thought provoker" that's mostly intended as a fun-conversation component.
Best,
Earl Barnett
Andrew,
I hadn't thought about the affect of social media on the perception of blogging. I use the blogging tool in my LMS instead of discussion because I like the setup better.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Stanley,
Great question. I haven't noticed any policy within my institution regarding blogging in classes. I suspect I may have more freedom based on the they type of institution. Anyone?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Kelly, I have used blogs before as a method of exchanging ideas, communicating information, even providing helpful links and even videos however I never really had a lot of success with it. There was no actual rubric and performance was not assessed but I think as Facebook and other major social media sites take off the student finds less value in blogging. Maybe I need a different approach at selling the importance of the blog and the types of info to broadcast.
My institutions LMS includes almost all of the features of blogging site except for lacking the openness to feedback from outside the class.
It would be interesting to include a blog to get that exposure to a wider audience/collaboration.
Do some institutions have policies restricting blogging in classes?
