Living to learn checking in with some thoughts about blogging to learn...as Hurricane Irene spins towards Virginia Beach. So, it's perhaps not such a surprise that for this one post and due to the availability of time before the power possibly fails, Living to Learn will blog about what she knows vs. what she doesn't. Isn't that what bloggers normally do?
Blogs, as electronic instructional media, serve a variety of purposes. First, there is education in simply learning to blog. One must understand the technology and how to add all the interesting gadgets, how to insert video (which this blogger had momentarily forgotten).
The blogger is best served by having (or learning) some writing abilities (as is the reader). Otherwise, one might as well have a paper journal or diary that only he or she (or in some future world, the children when he or she is no longer around), will read. And since blogging in and of itself invites commentary - the blogger has to be open to the same. If I invite you into my head, you have the right to comment on what's whirling around in it. The give and take of dialogue, written as it may be, is still a give and take and a learned behavior. I suppose the blogger has to also have or develop critical thinking skills - if he or she is to think about and respond to whatever commentary arises.
From a "classroom" setting, blogs can be used to post reflective exercises or commentary about a reading. Learners, of course, can comment. The teacher can post ideas - the learner can add on, or offer up some alternative thought. The learner learns to voice what he or she stands for...blogs are often used for just that purpose. And the leaner learns to be able to back that up if challenged in the commentary, to draw a line in the sand, die on a sword...instead of hiding from the storm (as this blogger will soon do).
Does a blog, as an instructional medium offer up any challenges? Sure it does. Every instructional medium has its challenges - just as does every blogger if he or she is convinced that an assignment must be completed before the power goes out. As blogs are best used from an expressive, reflective perspective, they are not for every student. One could argue left brain, right brain - but that's a topic for another day without a hurricane. There are certain topics that would be difficult to teach by using a blog. I cannot possibly imagine learning formulas or mathematical theories by blogging. There is that video link thing though. Did you know that by using a blog, the blogger can add links to other tools, resources, information?
This blogger was going to be creative and learn something new, like how to make a podcast. That was before Hurricane Irene showed up. While Living to Learn was researching various electronic mediums, she came across a very interesting (in its simplicity) podcast created by first graders...yes, first graders. How hard can it be? If Irene lets up, I just might give it a shout....see how it compares to blogging. I know....I will blog and insert a podcast...my written word and spoken word, maybe even add some video...hmmmm...if only the power stays on long enough. Maybe I can video the storm and create an interesting theme about the storms of learning or the electricity of all the wonderfully rich electronic instructional medium that we have just at the fingertips of our brains.
