Group 1 Technologies - Online Spaces: blogs, wikis and websites. 

Blogs,Wikis and Websites are multipurpose tools that have definite advantages in the teaching context for students and teachers to upload information and support interaction and collaboration between students.(Fasso 2013)

BLOGS

Blogs (sometimes referred to weblogs) is defined by Ljungdahl (2010)  as a web publishing  tool that provides writing and multimedia information in the form of web pages. These diary like entries are  termed “posts” and can incorporate public or private interaction through the use of comments, links or other digital media.

Blogging –Benefits in the classroom:

Reflection of utilising blogs in the classroom -
PMI Analysis

Plus:

• effective tool to use student mentoring or scaffolding learning
• promotes creativity and innovation for the student
• enables collaboration with other students. 
• assists students to reflect on their writing and to alter text 
• enables students to access a wide range of information sources to write their own texts. 
• utilising spellchecks can correct grammatical errors more easily
• supports student centered learning 
• encourages learning and collaboration outside of the classroom  and world wide

Minus:

• If students did not have access to computers at home they could be at a disadvantaged for out of classroom activities.
• Inappropriate or negative texts could have an impact on students involvement in blogs and impact on self esteem of users.
• The success of the blogs in the classroom can be dependant on a range of mitigating factors including the technical expertise of the teacher in utilising this ICT tool.
• The use of regular blogs could limit personal interaction and connection in the classroom

Interesting:

• In the exploration of blog sites that relate to teaching I discovered a range of sophisticated blog sites that provided a diverse range of tools for use in the classroom.
• Blogs can have a range of privacy settings and restrictions applied to limit access for outside audiences and management functions to oversee student edits.
• Blogs can stimulate and support high order thinking for students with the assistance of teachers implementing sound pedagogy practices.
  

Legal Safe and Ethical Practises

•  Inform parents of procedures and secure parental permission.
• Teach students safe, acceptable, and sensible behaviour as on line authors and readers.
• Review policies and guidelines pertaining to student access.
• Teach the non-posting rules of no complete names, e-mail accounts, or references to reveal location.
• Set clear expectations regarding tone, respect, and consequences.

 Blogging in the Classroom setting

 
 http://classblogmeister.com/index.php

Exhibit A




https://www.21classes.com/shop/blogportal


Learning Theories- Framework


The blog can be a tool to enhance and extend students learning through the selection of appropriate content knowledge, and the use of  effective pedagogy's to support greater learning.The use of scaffolding through the implementation of Blooms Taxonomy and Constructivist Learning theories would be advantageous with this process. Kalantzis and Cope(2007) assert that a diversity of learning opportunities are achievable with a focus on higher order thinking skills, when an environment that supports recognition of patterns and connections, experimental learning and synthesis is present. Inputting information on the computer through a blog can result in a higher level of social interaction, functional and critical analysis and creative application. 


Thus in summary, the use of blogs in the classroom provides a range of advantages and opportunities for the student learner. The fundamental focus for the teacher in utilising ICT tools such as blogging is ensuring you have sound and effective pedagogical practices. Gould (2002) asserts that blogs introduce students to online learning environments to assist individuals access and evaluate information and construct new learning paradigms. A significant step in  learning today is the integration of knowledge management and e learning systems to augment current practice.  

 References:

Gould (2002) Thinking with the heart.Providing examples as a tool for learning.Journal on excellence in college teaching13(1) 5-27

Kalantzis, M,&B.Cope2007.Introduction.In a. Healy (ed), Multi literacies and Diversity in Education: New Pedagogies for expanding lLandscapes.Oxford University Press,Melbourne.

 Ljungdahl, L (2002) 'Teachers choices and Children's Literature' TEsol in context9(1)p22-26

21 Classes Cooperative Learning Classroom.Retrieved from
 https://www.21classes.com/shop/blogportal

 Kirk.D (2009) The use of blogs a s a Management Tool. Retrieved from
 http://rapidintellect.com/AEQweb/cho4462z9.htm

Morrison, J.L. & Oblinger, D.G. (2002).  Information technology and the future of education: An interview with Diana Oblinger, The Technology Source, Retrieved, from
http://technologysource.org/article/information_technology_and_the_future_of_education/