Prior to this week’s readings, I was not all that familiar with blogging. However, I did have a twitter account previously, and do again. But, I never considered it a “micro-blog”; I always thought of it more like a facebook status. After learning more about the topic, I guess they are both “micro-blogs”. I have learned that both of these tools (blogging and twittering) can be used in some academic settings.
Blogs and micro-blogs can be beneficial in an academic setting. Students can create a blog relatively quickly, and with a little effort they can post their writings and ideas for their teacher and other class members to view. As discussed in the 2010 Horizon Report, this also allows students and teachers to work collaboratively in an online environment more effectively. Blogs can enrich the learning environment, especially in courses with a pure distance learning platform. In these courses, it can be difficult to develop a relationship with the instructor and other students while completing your assignments. Blogs make it possible for students to express their thoughts, reflections, and opinions on readings, and assignments. Blogs benefit teachers by making the learning environment mobile. Teachers can post their lectures, and ideas about material over the internet to provide a platform for students to access the material 24/7 from remote locations.
As discussed in the 2009 Horizon Report, schools are beginning to embrace instant messengers and micro-blogging as a learning tool and not a distraction. For example, I coach wrestling for a local school system. This season one of our coaches created a Twitter account to notify wrestlers and parents of practice schedules, cancellations, upcoming matches, etc. Some teachers are now accessing micro-blogging applications that allow them to send communications to their students. I plan to follow a few networks on Twitter. The first I plan to follow is Judy Lambert. I would like to get information on the course and I know I will do so by following her. I also plan to follow Michigan Football, because I am a fan.
Matthew, thank you for posting such an insightful response to this week's readings. I concur with you that the use of blogs "enrich the learning environment" by making communication between the educators and students in distant learning classes easier.
ReplyDeleteI am also glad that educators are now viewing micro-blogging as a learning tool and not a distraction.I also enjoyed the example you provided regarding the wrestling coach and how they used twitter to communicate with parents regarding practice schedules, cancellations, and so on.
As far as my followings, I will also be following Dr. Lambert as well! I enjoyed reading your post!
I like your point that blogs can enrich the learning environment. Learning environment plays an important role in promoting and engaging students' learning. Using blogs can increase the mutual communications between students and teachers. This will be beneficial for both students and teachers.
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Blogs and Twitter help both students and teachers to establish communicative relationships, save time and provide convenience. What is more, we are connected with the world and communicate with the world via them.
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