Reflection on Blogs (S.W.O.T Analysis)

The potential of blogs in a teaching context is the ability to support a constructivist learning environment whereby learning is student centred and scaffolded by the teacher. The combination of technology with a constructivist learning approach that is scaffolded by the teachers content knowledge, ensures learners get the maximum potential out of their lessons.

As can be viewed in the S.W.O.T analysis below, blogs are a very effective interactive tool to support teachers in ensuring characteristics of Bloom's taxonomy (higher order thinking skills) are available and delivered to their students in particular lessons.  Furthermore, the function of blogs enhances student exposure to different sensory stimuli which can influence areas of intelligence and different learning styles as identified by Gardner's Multiple intelligence theory or Felder and Soloman's online Qestionnaire.

Strengths   Allows students to: Develop communication skills Develop literacy skills Take ownership of their work Share relevant information Collaborate/interact/converse on topics Encourages critical analytical thinking Build an audience Develop self-reflection Enhance student-teacher relationships Enjoy flexibility Partake in higher order thinking skills Enhance motivation/participation/ engagement/excitement/creativity/ contemplation/empowerment React to different sensory stimuli thus ensuring different learning styles are catered for in the lesson delivery       Allows teachers to: Scaffold learning and mentoring Create a classroom community Enhance classroom management Access students voice Understand student progress in concept construction Enhance the learning environment

Weaknesses   Misrepresentation of facts Volatile nature of blog means it can be edited or deleted making the blog difficult to archive or index Ethical considerations as inappropriate material could be posted by students Cyber-Bullying can occur from fellow students Not suitable if desire is to develop more sophisticated, complex and dynamic websites Some students may be apprehensive about participating in posting opinions to a public domain

Opportunities Extends walls of the classroom and provides students with access to information and audiences globally Allows ability to foster collaboration with parents and community members Digital skills necessary in contemporary society can be enhanced Enhances inclusive learning Students develop and apply safe and responsible practices when working with ICT’s in online environments Allows teachers to provide a learning environment that encourages, promotes and values classroom diversity

Threats Can disadvantage students who do not have access or possess limited access to internet outside school periods Blog is open to the public domain making students vulnerable to outside influences Personal information could be leaked across the internet Plagiarism of information sourced externally could occur

Teaching Purpose

The context of the particular educational setting will depend on how blogs can be used. The Department of Education Training Employment (2012) displays a list of student ICT expectations organised on a continuum to specify learning expected at certain age levels. Expectations include inquiring with ICT, ethics and issues with ICT, creating with ICT, communicating with ICT and operating with ICT. Following these guidelines and having content knowledge of blogs will ensure appropriate use of this particular interactive tool to enhance curriculum learning outcomes.

KLA of ICT identifies expectations for grade 2 communicating with ICT which suggests adding class entries to a classroom blog to record observations while following the life cycle of a particular animal. This approach also supports learning outcomes in Science and English KLA's grade 2 (The Department of Training and Employment, 2012).

Blogs in the Elementary Classroom


Sourced: http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=99517

Blogs in Plain English


Sourced: http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=12423

References

Teacher Tube. (n.d).  Blogs in the elementary classroom. Retrieved from http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=99517&title=Blogs_in_the_elementary_classroom

Teacher Tube.(n.d).  Blogs in plain English.  Retrieved from http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=12423

Transforming Education through Technology the Journal. (2013). Moderating and ethics for the classroom instructional blog. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2007/02/26/moderating-and-ethics-for-the-classroom-instructional-blog_633573844495478025.aspx

Williams, J. (2004). Exploring the use of blogs as learning spaces in the higher education sector. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 20(2), 232-247. Retrieved from eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/1/13066.pdf

Wang, H. (2008). Exploring educational use of blogs in U.S. education. US-China Education Review, 5(10), 34-37.

The Department of Training and Employment (DETE). (2012). Communicating with ICT. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/enabling-learners/ict-expectations/prep-year2/communicating.html