Module 2

My Learning Experiences

I have always found the idea of blogging quite fascinating but never really got into it- as a reader or writer. I have found out though that I have been “micro-blogging” without knowing the technical term, through twitter and facebook already. So it is finally good to have a push (this course) to have a go at creating a proper one and researching others. I found the process of creating a blog surprisingly easy, however reading other blogs overwhelming. To find out that there were 184 million blogs world wide in 2008, so clearly even more now, was surprising. Where have I been for the past few years while teachers around the world have been discussing and sharing their thoughts and ideas through blogs?! As a member of ‘gen y’ I definitely feel behind the game. Reading through educational blogs really reiterated how as teachers we are life long learners.

So many areas are discussed in these blogs including new technologies and web applications, which is great in a way but also concerning in that once we master a new program it is quickly replaced with an updated one as technology so rapidly advances. So while being exposed to new technologies is daunting, I guess we as teachers need to keep up for our students sake. So now that I know how to create and read blogs, what impact do I think they have on classrooms?...

Blogs in the Classroom

Reading through various blogs (by teachers, students, parents and professors) I learnt that they basically create a collaborative learning space. They enable the learner to be in the middle of a connected network, where the teaching and learning is connected, collaborative and reflective. Blogs can be used by teachers to collaborate and share resource and lesson ideas. Teachers become “teams of connected educators” that “replace solo practitioners”- (from ‘Connected Teaching’ blog). Blogs can be used beneficially by students through class dialogue, class admin, group discussion and as a personal diary. Blogs are a way for students to publish their work for an audience beyond their teacher and allows for reflective practice and critical thinking. Blogging can incorporate video posting and podcasting in a free web space. Blogging can be used effectively in the classroom and best of all, the students are motivated by it.