Blogging is an awesome resource
to use in academic learning environments.
Students have the ability to discuss topics that are significant. Student collaborate and share ideas about the
topic and often complete group assignments and group work via blogs. One English professor at my work noted how
students writing and critical thinking skills had enhanced from the use of
blogging.
Using blogs to learn about
finances and budgeting is fun for students. Once in a lesson, I provided
students with a $500 budget to take an imaginary vacation. They were tasked
with reporting research on where they went, how much the vacation cost, how
long did they stay, hotel cost, transportation, and food expenses, including
excursions if any. The students learn life skills, budgeting, management, math,
and that money can be limiting.
I had some students who never
been out of their city, even those who had a fear of flying. Therefore, to avoid embarrassment or lack of
vacation leisure for some and restraints for others, I set the budget. Blogging
can be used for positive social change because students had the opportunity to
view images, listen to stories, and watch video about vacation places, in
state, out of state, in the country and out of the country. They had the leisure
of choosing the destinations within their budget. There are times when some
individuals cannot afford to take vacations, so to dream about a vacation may
have a positive social change for the individual to become more motivated and
inspired to attain high goal.
Cain and Fink (2010) addressed
the legal and ethical issues associated with social media, such as blogs,
individual have a freedom of speech.
However, this freedom must collaborate with the rules of the
institution. Dr. Bates (2013d) explained
that college educators have a responsibility to inform students about proper internet
etiquettes on how to use social media.
Reference
Cain, J., & Fink, J.
L., III. (2010). Legal and ethical issues regarding social media and pharmacy
education. American Journal of Pharmaceutical
Education, 74(10), 1–8.
Laureate
Education (Producer). (2013d). Sustainability
and ethical considerations [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://class.waldenu.edu
As a high school student, we actually did do the $500 budget trip to Europe. I didn't do a great job there, I think I failed it. But as a grown up, I now realize that we have so many resources and input, like blogging, there isn't an excuse to not explore the Internet. Granted we have this freedom of speech that can be exercised on blogs, students can either receive valuable information or opinions. Our class blogs must have references, but that may not be present in all blogs. Also, students may see unfiltered comments, some having nothing to do with the blog, or others being extremely for or against what is written. Again, it would come down to where are the resources? I tell students that they can use the Internet to source info., however, use caution and check with me as to if the source is acceptable.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is fun! I am slowly getting used to this. Students do get a lot of information through blogging. It not only improves students' literacy skills but also can benefit learning math. ClustrMaps is something we can use as a powerful teaching tool in our classroom.
ReplyDeleteCarole I have not used blogging in my teaching before but will in the future. I also see the learning potential with using blogging.
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