Saturday, February 11, 2017

"BLOGS" to the rescue

"Blogs" in Vincy's classrooms



A blog is a frequently updated online personal journal or diary. It is a place to express yourself to the world. A place to share your thoughts and your passions. 
Blogging has made its way into education and enhances the way teachers teach and students learn. In St.Vincent and the Grenadines blogging can have a positive impact on education. Socially introvert students now have an opportunity to express themselves is a strong enough reason of how blogs can be used to enhance teaching and learning, but there are a number of other reasons to the learning process.


1. can be used to increase students interaction

With the increase in technological tools entering the education, blogs are another way of fostering collaboration among students. Students are able to post their thoughts and share views whether it be an assignment or a concern about course's materials. Teachers can give students materials to read and ask them to post what they read about. Students can also comments on each others post. As they interact with each others, they have the opportunity to see things from each others perspective. Teachers can have an idea of how students are thinking, therefore she can plan her lessons to teach according.

2. Blog can be used to improve students' skills


In St.Vincent and the Grenadines many of our students struggle with the Standard English due to the fact that it is not their first language. With the use of blogs, students have an opportunity to improve their writing, analysis and critical skills as well as their digital literacy. These post are viewed by the public which would cause them to be more attentive to the quality of work they produce. They would research when necessary and seek help in order to improve their writing and grammar consequently becoming better writers. Students can use blogs to reflect on their class lecturers or a piece of material they were asked to read. This would strengthen students' knowledge. 



3. Gives Students a voice

A benefit of blogs in the teaching and learning process is that students have a chance to express themselves. They are able to share ideas to other class mates and even persons in the wider world. While blogging students have an audience in which they can communicate how they feel about situation and also learn from others. Those who are shy in class and do not communicate much with persons face-to-face is given an opportunity through the use of blogs to share their passions. Students can learn how to tolerate each other and respect each other views since everyone is different and will view situations from different perspectives.



4. Can be use for all subject areas


Blogging can be used across the curriculum. It can be used in science, mathematics, social studies, language arts and even all the subjects at the secondary level. Teachers from various subject areas can post questions, whether to stimulate thinking or for assessment purposes. Therefore giving the students the chance to respond. Through blogging teacher and students establish a home- school connection.




5. Student can blog with persons from all over the world


Blogging is not limited to the students and teacher circle. As you post persons from all over the world can comment under your post and share their view point. Students in return gets to learn more and any misconception can be clarified.




According to Ferdig and Trammell (2004) the four main pedagogical benefits of blogging for students:
1. It assists students to become subject matter experts, as they scour and filter through web content searching for relevant information for their posts.
2. It increases student interest in and ownership of learning.
3. It gives students legitimate chances to participate in a dialogue outside of the classroom, and enculturates them into a community of practice.
4. It provides opportunities to share diverse perspectives.



Technology is impacting education everyday. With an electronic device and internet connection, blogs can improve the quality of teaching and learning in education. Students are becoming more advanced in the use of technology and blogging is another interface that can impact the learning process.




REFERENCE

Reeves, T. J. How can blogging improve students' writing and thinking? Retrieved from https://www.getacclaim.com/blog/how-can-blogging-improve-student-writing-and-thinking-skills/ 






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