Blogs in the Classroom

Definition
- "Blog is an abbreviated version of "weblog". Blogs are web sites where people write on an ongoing basis. New articles or 'posts' show up at the top of the page, so its easy to read what's new” (Griffith University, n.d.)
- “A blog is a personal website that contains content organized like a journal or a diary. Each entry is dated, and the entries are displayed on the web page in reverse chronological order, so that the most recent entry is posted at the top. Readers catch up with blogs by starting at the top and reading down until they encounter material they’re already read” (Downes, 2009).
- Lee Keller asks Kim Cavanaugh about what blogs are how they are being used in education http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7XiCg_wpzE (Palm Breeze Cafe, 2008)

Pluses
- Blogs encourage and create enthusiasm for reading and writing (Downes, 2004).
- Tasks and activities that are different, fresh, and surprising engage students (Snowman et al., 2010).
- Learners enjoy being involved in active learning (Snowman et al., 2010).
- Provides learners with the opportunity to express views and learn from others all over the world (Downes, 2004).
- “Blogs provide a communication space that teachers can utilise with students whenever there is a curriculum need to develop writing, share ideas and reflect on work being undertaken in the classroom” (Department of Education, 2010).

View the hyperlink below to find “11 advantages of using a blog for teaching”
http://www.slideshare.net/frankcalberg/11-advantages-of-using-a-blog-for-teaching

Minuses
- Every student may not have access to a computer (Online Education Blog, 2008).
- “Regular writing may give rise to slangs and sloppy way of writing spoiling the quality of proper usage of language” (Online Education Blog, 2008).
- Online bullying (Downes, 2009).

Interesting
- “The process of reading online, engaging a community and reflecting it online, is a process of bringing life into learning” (Downes, 2004, p. 7).

References
Department of Education. (2010). Blogs in education. Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/curriculum/ict/weblogs/
Downes, S. (2004). Educational blogging. Retrieved from http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERM0450.pdf
Griffith University. (n.d.). What is a blog? Retrieved from http://www.griffith.edu.au/blogs/what-is-a-blog
Online Educational Blog. (2008). Blogs: Advantages and disadvantages. Retrieved from http://www.onlineedublog.com/tag/advantages-disadvantages-blogs/
Palm Breeze Cafe. (2008, Jan 20). Blogs in education [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7XiCg_wpzE
Snowman, J., Dobozy, E., Scevak, J., Bryer, F., Bartlett, B., & Biehler, R. (2010). Psychology: Applied to teaching. Milton, Qld: John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.