Word Count on Blogs?
Does anyone feel that there should be word count limits on blogs? Or perhaps this may be relative to the topic taught? ... Something you could incorporate into the course structure...
Eileen,
I have stopped giving word count a while ago. I want students to learn to write with fewer words to get their point across. I also use blogging tools to talk about their area they need to work on in their writing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I find that students in my b. comm classes tend to freak out if they don't have some guidelines -- so how about a minimum word count for a blog entry? That way, those with less to say or less fluency have something to shoot for, and those who are more articulate or are better writers can post to their heart's content.
Postscript to that -- I tell students that they don't have to hit the mark exactly. If they're no more than 10% under the word count, they're still good to go.
Lesley,
You could. I do use micrblogging to introduce word limit. (Extreme word limit!)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Ginger,
I don't use word counts, I want the shortest writing possible to get your point across. You don't want to add the blogging to other assignments and overwhelm students. Students don't need busy work, they need purpose in the work.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Lesley--
I think there should be some type of limit or guidance with blog assignments. Much like "hard copy" assignments, students need to know what is expected of them. I think that giving the students a word count guideline helps them to understand the depth required of the assignment.
