So here I am, once again, writing another blog entry. My main question for this entry is as follows: Is the blog a tool for learning or are the learning experiences a result of an experience unrelated to the blog?
Today, I am leaning towards seeing the blog as a super cool, efficient, web 2.0 tool with nothing new to add to current learning experiences. Reflecting on the actual value of the blog tool, is there any cognitive experience that is improved with a blog that did not already exist with the word processor? The blog writing tools are actually pretty weak compared to any word processor. With that in mind, why are we using blogs? I have personally assigned blogs for the ease of accessing all of my students’ reflections from anywhere with an Internet connection. I have not assigned blogs because I think the tool will help them learn better. In my current class, I appreciate my instructor's approach: she has assigned a weekly reflection either through a blog entry or a submitted Word document. This approach indicates to me an emphasis on the reflection – not the technology. Perhaps it is not the blog that is facilitating learning, rather the reflection and synthesis. With this thought in mind, it reminds me of David Jonassen's mindtools. Jonassen has an interesting point when he states that we need to recognize that “computers are lousy teachers.”
Friday, September 12, 2008
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2 comments:
Oscar, Are we using blogs to publish our writing to a "public" audience, get reflections and feedback from that audience which as a result extends our thinking?
Good point Dr.Fritz. The active public audience is crucial to the value and experience of the blog. Thanks for the feedback.
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