The use of blogging
as a tool for reflection
Michael Rowe (MSc)
Department of Physiotherapy
University of the Western Cape

Overview
Higher education in the 21st century
Reflective learning
Reflection and reasoning
Blogging as academic discourse
Assignment
Challenges
Moving forward

st
Education in the 21 century
The Net Generation have different educational
needs (Barnes, et al, 2007)
Knowledge construction, not reproduction is
paramount (Pritchard, 2007)
Evolve, adapt or desist (Swail, 2002)
Adding to, not replacing models of
communication (Oblinger, 2005)
“If you're not on MySpace, you don't exist”
(Skylar, 18, to her mom)

Reflective learning
We make sense of the world by interpreting facts
through our own frames of reference (Higgs et al,
2004)
Reflection is an important component of
constructivist learning (Bozalek, 2007)
Questions may guide reflective activities (Marquardt,
2005)
An influential component of clinical practice and
professional development (Dewey, 1933; Schon, 1983/5)

Reflection and reasoning
Reflection and reasoning both emphasise the
connection between action and thinking (Aars,
2008)
Focused reflection is a significant factor in
developing clinical practice through clinical
reasoning (Murphy, 2004)
Ethical reasoning is part of clinical reasoning
(Edwards, et al, 2005)

Blogging as academic discourse
What does it mean, “to blog”? (Boyd, 2006)
Humanises academic discourse
Publication and feedback can be immediate
Interaction is possible
Value is determined by referencing through
linking (Anderson, 2006)

The assignment
Read and reflect on relevant articles
Post those reflections on the blog
Comment on the blog posts of others
Use technology to strengthen claims made
Create a networked conversation

Learning objectives
Understand some of the ethical problems inherent in the
South African health system
Be able to discuss the ethical dilemmas encountered
Understand the role of reflection in your professional
development
Participate in an online, networked conversation with your
peers
Acknowledge the differing perspectives of others who may
experience the world in different ways
Reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of using new
technologies in healthcare education

Method: create the environment
Wordpress
Installed on a private server
Create pages for online help, instructions,
learning outcomes
Register students as authors on the blog

Method: teach students to blog
Assignment handout with background
Class presentation with step by step screenshots
Additional online help on the blog
Be available through several channels to provide
assistance (e.g. SMS, email, physical)

Examples of entries on the blog
“As Billy Joel so eloquently puts it, “We didn't
start the fire...”
“We take our rights and freedom for granted,
where others fought and died [for it]. We need
to respect and acknowledge the sacrifices
made for us.”
“I really think that we as humans are a messed
up bunch...”
“I just think the TRC was there to ease some
people's consciences...”

Advantages of blogging: comments

Advantages of blogging: tags

Results
They did it

Results: emergent themes
Diversity of thought and opinion
Shared experiences
Attitudes to education / learning
Professional development
Respectful dialogue

Challenges
The issue of allocating time for reflection is not
yet fully appreciated (Higgs, et al, 2004)
Inappropriate behavioural modeling (Eraut, 1994)
“But I don't know how”
The assignment was time-consuming to set up
Access to equipment and a lack of experience

Moving forward
Exciting, interesting and
stimulating
Blogging created a space for
open dialogue
Blogging is an effective tool to
facilitate reflection
...but it is only a tool
Join the conversation

Copyright
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons
Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 South
Africa License. To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/za/
This license allows you to share and adapt the
document under the following conditions:
You may not sell it
You must give attribution if you share it
You must share it under these same conditions

Thank you
www.mrowe.co.za/blog
mrowe@uwc.ac.za
www.twitter.com/michael_rowe
theboatashore