Daniel Churchill provides an interesting, brief review of leveraging blogging in the classroom setting and how it applies to individual student’s perception of learning. He conducted his research on one class of post-graduate students at a University in Hong Kong over the course of one semester.
The study was developed to seek out answers to, as Churchill stated, “(the) fundamental guiding question: in what ways does a blog environment supplement classroom teaching and lead to an improved learning experience?” A blog was utilized for student access to course materials, posting of reflections, feedback forum and basic participation throughout the semester. Data was collected throughout the course of the semester through observations of activities, personal reflection by the course instructor as well as interviews and a survey (Churchill, 2009).
The findings from the study concluded that the students participating in the blogging agreed that the act of blogging contributed to their learning and through blog use the course instructor appeared to be more involved in their learning (Churchill, 2009). It was exciting to see a study that showed direct correlation between blogging and the perception of knowledge and facilitator interaction. One of the strengths were that the author also provided personal feedback regarding the experience. Churchill stated that he “believed that the blogs added a new dimension to teaching effectiveness…” He also stated that there were disadvantages to this particular study in that each individual student was blogging on an independent blog and that it was time consuming for him to read and provide feedback to each individuals post. He leveraged RSS feeds as an effective tool to manage student’s postings. His personal feedback was almost as valuable as the results gathered. He also inadvertently captured all of the activities occurring in the course’s blogs throughout the semester to assist with managing the process and it was interesting to see all of the classroom activities being performed directly in the blog.
There were a few opportunities with this particular study, the first being that there was an opportunity to share more information regarding the class size, demographics, etc. In regards to his survey, he hand-selected participants to complete, potentially providing skewed feedback. However, the addition of his personal experience and knowledge were very valuable.
This is my first experience with utilizing a blog in the classroom and I think it is a stimulating way to collaborate on different topics. It is also engaging, I have already read all of the other postings prior to even finishing my own! As I continue to work on course development, I think that there is a great opportunity to incorporate blogging and other Web 2.0 tools into courses, both for professional development as well as distance delivered KSU courses.
Churchill, D. (2009). Educational applications of Web 2.0: Using blogs to support teaching and learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(1), 179-183.
I recently completed the Army's asynchronous distance learning instructor's course. All of our instruction was online. One issue discussed in class was instructor involvement in ongoing discussions. Sometime student should be left to post comments on each other's contributions before the instructor weighs in with his or her comments. This may allow for more original thought. Some students may hold back and feed off others' contributions. I also think some students may run out of comments to add and just reiterate what someone else has already posted.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is an important tool for an online classroom discussion. As technology continues, for example, Skype, it will incorporate video so it can put some personal interface with the discussions.
ReplyDeleteI like in this article that each student had their own blog site and the instructor utilized RSS to pull them together in one place for him. This works great, especially for reflective journals. I have been working through the logistics to incorporate blogging (reflective journals) into the Social Foundations course. The students then get the experience of creating a blog as well as the activity of journaling/reflecting. I can keep up with them as they are posted and do not get 30 at one time to read and give comments.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if computer programmers and software development companies could agree on common programming standards so that all systems could effortlessly communicate and feed into one another. This would afford the user one central access point rather than logging on to multiple sites or having to go establishing RSS to feed everything in to one location. It would also save the end user from having to learn a number of different systems in order to operate effectively.
ReplyDeleteI also think that the utilization of blogs (if the students actually utilize them and provide effective feedback) could provide the institution with an excellent source of continual feedback. If utilized properly, a blog that is established properly could be utilized as an electronic data gathering tool that provides feedback to the institution. Used in this manner, it might actually save the institution time in analyzing data and improving their instruction and organization.
Hey, I just want to know if I can do my dissertation based on this blog. OK just kidding.
ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective as a student, I value instructor feedback, but that's because I thrive on affirmation. Another dynamic that should be considered is the fundamental truth that all students are not alike and that as adult educators our student population is even more diverse.
Now I'm not advocating doing nothing. In fact, I'm a proponent of blogging in support of any educational endeavor; however, as an instructor, we cannot rest on the success of some who thrive in a blogoshpere, we must remain vigilant to those who are so alienated by technology that they will appear disinterested.
In the case of the Army, many have a vested interest in distance education, as classroom instructino often takes Soldiers away from their families and in that regard is no different from a deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. Given this environment of choice, the Army is "ripe" for technological tools used to support education.
I'm not sure how "ripe" a student population at a univeristy would be for increased technology. For a student one year out of high school with not-fully-developed social or study skills, I would fear the development of a culture of alienation. For adults, those of us in the real world with families, jobs, etc, I'm all for it when coupled with instructor vigilence.
Royce Ann - I find the development of individual blogs with the instructor using RSS as a management tool very interesting. It seems like a great fit for journaling and I wonder if it has potential for use with student portfolios. The one disadvantage I see so far is blogger’s requirement to use a third-person storage site to embed or attach documents.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of personal interaction seems to come up frequently during our reviews of Web 2.0 technology. I can appreciate how the technology allows some quiet students to develop voice within their learning community. I wonder if we inadvertently hinder our students by allowing them to rely on their technologically-enhanced voice rather than helping them to build their self-confidence and interpersonal skills necessary to participate in classroom discussions. It seems to me that an appropriate goal might be to balance the use of Web 2.0 technology to enhance the classroom experience and not replace it. Is it a reasonable goal to link the use of Web 2.0 technology with the building of personal relationships within the classroom? Do we have an obligation as educators to help our students improve their interpersonal skills?
I am really intrigued by student perception of blogging as a means by which the "instructor appeared to be more involved in their learning". As a teacher, I struggle with giving my students feedback that is supportive yet not overly affirming with my own subjective evaluation. I do not wish to manipulate their thinking or restrict their risk taking/creativity. Perhaps blogging presents an opportunity to respond simply to what is noticed in a post without evaluation. Blogging could also present an opportunity to ask questions of students which is a more facilitating behavior for teachers.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I would appreciate blogging over hand written comments. By the time I have responded to all my students, the calluse on my finger is so huge and painful that I can barely write at all!
I agree with William's comments that technology should enhance the classroom experience and not replace it. For one thing technology should be appropriate to the learning outcome. Technology for technology's sake looks impressive but is without substance.
Certainly, teachers must explore nearly every option to foster student confidence which is why so many initial class activities try to ensure some measure of success for all students. Perhaps herein lies the merits of blogging, early in the course of the class, before verbal participation is expected. Given time to gather one's thoughts coherently before posting should generate genuine, appreciative responses by one's peers. For the reticent student, this is a measure of success in the high-stakes game of sharing one's ideas. Experiencing this may empower the student to share in a public forum.
I must admit that I appreciate the usefulness of Web 2.0 tools; but after a day sitting in front of a computer, the thought of going home to grade papers or interact via a computer is not enticing. I say that, yet advocate for more use in the classroom - the whole yin, yang aspect.
ReplyDeleteThe point made regarding incorporating Web 2.0 tools in distance learning is right on the mark. My master's work was all online, and the full capabilities of blackboard and the web were not used by the faculty. If I have an opportunity to adjunct online in the future, then I will try to use as many of the tools available through the university to create the best learning environment as possible.