When starting any new activity it is beneficial to do some brainstorming and build up declarative knowledge around that specific area (Marzano & Pickering, 2007). Therefore, my first post to the E- learning blog will be a quick and objective SWOT (Strenghts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis in regard to blogging itself. Such an analysis will provide myself and other bloggers with some information about not only what blogging is, but what it is for and the many ways we can use blogging in a classroom setting.
Strengths
Blogging gives an equal chance of being heard.
Blogging can instil confidence in students who would normally not volunteer answers.
There is time for students to think about their learning and go at own pace.
Blogging can be done from the home and used as a homework activity.
Large amounts of information can be posted which students can access readily.
Weaknesses
Students can post irrelevant or inaccurate information.
Not all students will have access to the internet at home.
Students with diverse needs are not always included.
Opportunities
Blogging can help students to further develop their own identity.
Blogging requires students to use knowledge meaningfully and be introspective when actually detailing comments (thinking about your thinking).
Blogging results in a concrete record of individual and group thinking. It allows students and teachers to monitor and revise their learning or teaching.
It provides a good source of information about one's learning or teaching journey for reflection.
Threats
Potential for online bullying (flaming) to occur.
Conclusion
Overall blogging provides many opportunities for students and teachers alike to share a learning/teaching journey in a dynamic and accessible environment.
Succinct analysis Hamish. I like what you pointed out as a strength that students can think about their learning at their own pace and use their knowledge meaningfully. Classroom responses can become too instant without the deep thoughts as to how or why this is the case.
ReplyDeleteHi Hamish,
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis! This blog really shows that you have considered the possibilites and constructed a SWOT that reflects the declarative knowledge that you have learnt. I haven't given much thought about bullying that could occur within the classroom. I have always thought about it as coming from outside sources within the school like the myspace or other social networking sites. Creating a classroom blog would require close monitoring to ensure bullying does not occur.
During the presentations that we watched on Thursday I brainstormed the uses of blogs. One great use I didn't include here that we thought of was the potential for student profiling. At teh start of the year it would be a great way of getting to know your student without being intimidating or rushed for time. It would easlily establish who can and can't access the internet regularly and who has a lot of (or very little) computer/internet experience. Have to put profiling under the strength part of this SWOT analysis.
ReplyDelete