Are blogs good technology tools that provide educational benefits? Wikipedia (2009) defined a blog as “a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, description of events, or other material such as graphics or video” (paragraph 1). Although it allows individuals to express their ideas about various topics, it is also an avenue to discuss educational issues and concerns. Blogging can be used for different purposes, “to reach individual with critical information, to express opinions, to teach students writing skills, or simply as an outlet for personal frustration” (Catalano, 2005, paragraph 4). Many educators find blogging as an avenue for discussing innovative ideas and sharing with peers with the same concerns. Although I had not experienced blogging in the past, this experience alerts me that it is more than a gripe session of varying opinions.
Can wikis be useful tools in education? Arreguin 92004) stated, “wikis provide unique collaborative opportunities for education” (paragraph 1). In my experience with Walden, wikis have been an invaluable tool. Groups have been able to collaborate on assignments without being online at the same time. It is an interactive tool with the ability to post and edit together as if we were sitting together face-to-face. Wikis are more than just a tool to post information, they are “web based forums and discussion is that of multiple contributors” (paragraph 3). This forum is not only useful with higher education classes but can be integrated into k-12 courses as well. Students can increases their writing skills as well as practicing editing strategies. These forums allow technology to connect and promote collaboration among peers.
References:
Arrequin, C. (2004). Wikis. In B Hoffman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Education Technology. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/articles/wikis/start.htm
Catalano, F. (2005, December 1). Why blog? THE Journal. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://www.thejournal.com/articles/17616.1
Wikipedia. (2009). Blog. Retrieved March 30, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog
April 4, 2009 at 2:09 pm |
Great site this jolandra.wordpress.com and I am really pleased to see you have what I am actually looking for here and this this post is exactly what I am interested in. I shall be pleased to become a regular visitor
April 11, 2009 at 10:32 pm |
Jolandra,
One of the most powerful implications of using wikis in the classroom is the need to collaboratively negotiate meaning. In other words, contributors on a particular topic must come to consensus through engaging in discussion and acting as editors of the common topic. If you have never looked at it, you should check out the discussion tabs on a site like Wikipedia, especially in a particularly heavy topic, such as historical events or scientific theories. This is where some of the really intriguing and high-level hashing out of topics occurs.