Blogs: Introduction & Educational Use Case Mike Bogle

“Writers will write because they can't not write.” -- Mark Pilgrim (“The Weblog Manifesto”)

“Writers will write because they can't not write.”

-- Mark Pilgrim (“The Weblog Manifesto”)

What is a blog? “A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.” - Wikipedia (“ Blogs ”) Accessed 17 Sept. 2008

“A blog (a contraction of the term "Web log") is a Web site, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.”

- Wikipedia (“ Blogs ”)

General Characteristics Dated entries with newest at the top Frequently permit comments

Dated entries with newest at the top

Frequently permit comments

They can also include RSS Mixed media (text, audio, video) Blog rolls, recommended links Categories, Tagging/Folksonomy You could go on ad infinitum, because...

RSS

Mixed media (text, audio, video)

Blog rolls, recommended links

Categories, Tagging/Folksonomy

You could go on ad infinitum, because...

...blogs are personal spaces. “ Traveling without moving ” by FredArmitage

Blogs speak at two distinct levels Reflective - Looking inward e.g. diary, paper-based journal Discursive - Reaching outward Online, publicly visible, enable commenting/feedback Importantly, these happen at the same time.

Reflective - Looking inward

e.g. diary, paper-based journal

Discursive - Reaching outward

Online, publicly visible, enable commenting/feedback

Importantly, these happen at the same time.

Educational uses? “ Lightbulb ” by Darren Hester

Use Case: CCK08 Course: Connectivism & Connective Knowledge Mode: Fully Online # of students: 2,000+ (including me) # of instructors: 2 Model: Distributed/learner-organised Loose curriculum

Course: Connectivism & Connective Knowledge

Mode: Fully Online

# of students: 2,000+ (including me)

# of instructors: 2

Model: Distributed/learner-organised

Loose curriculum

In the beginning... I used my blog to: Reflect on readings and key concepts Seek clarity; resolve uncertainty Explore new ideas Then I noticed something...

I used my blog to:

Reflect on readings and key concepts

Seek clarity; resolve uncertainty

Explore new ideas

Then I noticed something...

People started reading my posts... Page hits per day:

...and discussing them...

...and reflecting on them... My post Referenced here

This contributed to a deeper appreciation and understanding of the subject matter for the learner (me).

Food for thought: Consider the following: “Blogs can be effective ways to enhance learning through reflection and discussion.” Agree or disagree and why? Discussion Points: Under what circumstances are they appropriate? What requirements exist to ensure effective use? How could/should they be implemented? What would the role of the educator be? When assessment is required, how would it be done? What would be assessed?

Consider the following: “Blogs can be effective ways to enhance learning through reflection and discussion.”

Agree or disagree and why?

Discussion Points:

Under what circumstances are they appropriate?

What requirements exist to ensure effective use?

How could/should they be implemented?

What would the role of the educator be?

When assessment is required, how would it be done? What would be assessed?

Recommended reading “ Educational Blogging ”, Stephen Downes, EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 39, no. 5 (September/October 2004): 14–26.

“ Educational Blogging ”, Stephen Downes, EDUCAUSE Review, vol. 39, no. 5 (September/October 2004): 14–26.

Thoughts or Questions? Mike Bogle eLearning Research Officer Learning & Teaching @ UNSW University of New South Wales Email: [email_address]