Chapter 2

1. Chapter 2 Weblogs: Pedagogy and Practice

2. What exactly is a Weblog? • “A Weblog is an easily created, easily updateable Web site that allows an author (or authors) to publish instantly to the Internet from any Internet connection”. • Early blogs were literally “Web logs” or listed sites that author visited. • Software was developed to automate the process and allow other people to collaborate. • Blogs now does not require a FTP() or knowledge of a code.

3. Weblogs vs. Websites • Weblogs are comprised of reflections, conversations, thoughts, and ideas. • Websites are built on “static chunks of content”. • Blogs strive to engage the reader with ideas and questions as well as demand interaction; being able to connect ideas and resources via linking is one of blogging’s most important strengths. • Some Weblogs are indeed every bit of a Web site. They can include: graphics, photos, videos, and audio files.

4. More about Weblogs • Blogs have opened up the Read/Writer frontier for content creation. • Over 180 million people have now taken advantage of the opportunity. • Two blogs are made every second! • Learning specialists found that blogs can: • Promote critical and analytical thinking • Be a powerful promoter of creative, intuitive, and associational thinking • Promote analytical thinking • Be a powerful medium for increasing access and exposure to quality information • Combine the best of solitary and social interaction

5. Weblogs in School • Blogs are being used as: • Class portals • Online filing cabinets for student work • E-portfolios • Collaborative space • Knowledge management • School Web sites • Students are beginning to: • Learning to read more critically • Analyze readings • Write more clearly • Students are also building relationships with peers, teachers, mentors, and professionals within the blogging environment.

6. Class Portals • Class portals are used to communicate information, about the class and to archive course materials. • Teachers use this place to: • Publish course materials • Syllabus • Class Rules • Homework Assignments • Class Rules • Rubrics • Handouts • Presentations • Class Portal blogs also allow teachers to communicate with administrators and other teachers.

7. Online Filing Cabinet • This digital filing cabinet has its advantages • Students never misplace their work. • Having all of the students work organized in one place makes for some great opportunities for student reflection. • Work on a Weblog can be shared with others who might be interested or invested in the student’s progression.

8. E-Portfolio • E-Portfolios are very similar to blog filing cabinets. • There are a few steps in creating a good e-portfolio: • Collect and organize all the works that are taken into consideration to be used. • Select the ones that represent their best work. • Reflect on the choices made – review and edit. • Finally, publish the result for others to see.

9. Collaborative Space • One of the major advantages of Weblogs is the ability to create spaces where students can collaborate with others online.

10. Knowledge Management and Articulation • Weblogs are not limit to students use only. They are a good way for school committees and group to communicate.

11. School Web site • Weblogs can be used as the building block for a school Website. • They are easier to update than Websites.

12. The Pedagogy of Weblogs • Why should teachers use Weblogs? • Weblogs are a constructive tools for learning • They expand beyond classroom walls • Blogs archive learning that teachers and students do • Weblogs are evidence that different styles of learning and teaching are being explored • The use of Weblogs can enhance the development of expertise in a particular subject • Blogs can teach students new literacies they will need to function in the future.