CHAPTER 2: WEBLOGS PEDAGOGY AND PRACTICE BY ARION LONG &
ANGELA ALSTON
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WHAT IS A WEBLOG? A weblog is an easily created, easily
updatable website that allows an author(s) to publish instantly to
the internet from any internet connection. They are comprised of
reflections and conversations, that in many cases are updated every
day- or multiple times a day. They engage readers with
ideas,questions and links. They ask readers to think and respond,
and they demand interaction Blogs can include pictures, links,
videos and audio files. Did you know ? Over 180 million have taken
the opportunity to launch weblogs, 2 new blogs are created every
second of every day.
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THE HISTORY OF WEB BLOGGING The earliest blogs were literally
web logs, or a list of sites a particular author visited on any
given day- that would be revised by changing the html code, and
updating the file on a server. Now software has been developed to
expedite the process and allow numerous people to collaborate
Happily blogging today, doesnt require any knowledge of code or
FTP- it takes as much skill as sending an email.
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WEBLOGS IN SCHOOLS Promote critical and analytical thinking.
Can help students be a powerful promoter of creative, intuitive,
and associational thinking. Promotes analogical thinking. Powerful
medium for increasing access and exposure to quality information.
Combine the best of solitary reflection, and social interaction Can
enhance and deepen learning Can be used as class portal, online
filing cabinets for student work, collaborative space, knowledge
management,e-portfolios and school websites. Helps students build
relationship with fellow peers teachers, mentors and
professionals
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Student commentary on blogging.
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CLASS PORTAL Although some schools invest in expensive content
management systems like blackboard, weblogs can accomplish almost
as much at a lesser cost. For instructors, weblogs can be used to
build a class portal, to communicate instruction for the class and
archive class materials. It is a place for teachers to moderate
course curriculum, syllabus,class rules assignments, rubrics,
handouts and presentations. It also give parents platform for
instructional collaboration
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ONLINE FILING CABINET/ E- PORTFOLIO Weblogs give student the
opportunity to go paperless, by simply posting their work online
They create a digital filing cabinet, where students and access
their work. Having all of their work organized in one place makes
it easier to keep track of work. Allows for student reflection.
Work can be shared with others who might be interested in their
work and progress.
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BLOG USAGE AMONGST VARIOUS SITES
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WEBLOGS AND COMMUNICATION Great for knowledge management and
articulation. Great for committees/ groups that meet on a regular
basis Share/ store information Can store document for easy access
later on Can be use for lesson plans, activities and learning
objects. Teachers no longer have to be in the same room to discuss
what is, and isnt working in the classroom
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SCHOOL WEBSITES Weblogs can be used as a building block for a
school website Can be easily updated Students, teachers, parents
and community member will be better served by having up to date
information Pedagogy of weblogs- blogs are truly a constructivist
tool for learning They expand the walls of the classroom, and
archive learning teachers/students do Supports different learning
styles Enhances development in a particular subject Teach students
literary elements they can use in a technological Society
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THE END Source: Blogs, wikis, Podcasts and other powerful tools
for classrooms -Will Richardson