In this Blog, I will be focusing on the uses, advantages and disadvantages of a particular online technology/tool. I will also provide a brief history of the tool, it's development and applications in various contexts, and how it is used in the present day. The tool I have chosen is Blogging.
The term Blog is derived from "Web Log", and is a type of online source of information that is updated quite frequently by the author or authors. The content and purpose of a blog can range from subjective information sources, to personal online diaries, with commentaries and pictures of the author and his/her travels, and the likes. Often, when an individual is going through a recovery period in hospital, they will maintain a daily or weekly blog - which friends and family can access. There are other situations where people keep a daily or weekly log of what they are doing in a certain place (e.g. a fitness or bodybuilding vlog, etc). Typically, a blog features text, images, links to webpages or other blogs. Some off-shoots of blogging include Microblogging (frequent short posts), and Vlogging (Video Web Logging). Over the years Blogging and Vlogging began to impact the mainstream public, and have strong social and even political influence. It's popularity and use continues to grow.
The Wikipedia article on Blogging identifies 5 types of Blogs:
Personal blogs
The personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the traditional, most common blog. Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read. Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, or works of art. Blogging can have a sentimental quality. Few personal blogs rise to fame and the mainstream but some personal blogs quickly garner an extensive following. One type of personal blog, referred to as a microblog, is extremely detailed and seeks to capture a moment in time. Some sites, such as Twitter, allow bloggers to share thoughts and feelings instantaneously with friends and family, and are much faster than emailing or writing.
Corporate and organizational blogs
A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or public relations purposes are called corporate blogs. Similar blogs for clubs and societies are called club blogs, group blogs, or by similar names; typical use is to inform members and other interested parties of club and member activities.
By genre
Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs (also known as travelogs), house blogs,[23][24] fashion blogs, project blogs, education blogs, niche blogs, classical music blogs, quizzing blogs and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs. Two common types of genre blogs are art blogs and music blogs. A blog featuring discussions especially about home and family is not uncommonly called a mom blog and one made popular is by Erica Diamond who created Womenonthefence.com which is syndicated to over two million readers monthly. While not a legitimate type of blog, one used for the sole purpose of spamming is known as a Splog.
By media type
A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a photoblog. Blogs with shorter posts and mixed media types are called tumblelogs. Blogs that are written on typewriters and then scanned are called typecast or typecast blogs; see typecasting (blogging).
A rare type of blog hosted on the Gopher Protocol is known as a Phlog.
By device
Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog. One early blog was Wearable Wireless Webcam, an online shared diary of a person's personal life combining text, video, and pictures transmitted live from a wearable computer and EyeTap device to a web site. This practice of semi-automated blogging with live video together with text was referred to as sousveillance. Such journals have been used as evidence in legal matters.
From an educational point of view, and especially in the case of distance teaching and eLearning, blogging can be a highly effective tool for distributing information. It is highly accessible, and is often highly personable, containing experiential links through the text to information and theoretical premises. Teachers from mid to high primary and secondary schooling could use such a format to provide learning tasks, instructions and accompanying research materials for their learners. The anecdotal quality in blogging adds a certain charm which makes it a pleasure to browse over or read, and genuinely connect with the information and the author LM.
In the same way, students can each have a student-blogger account with which they can create and maintain their own learning journals, frequently updating and personalising them. The LM can observe and assess the learner's progress easily. The LM can also create Blogs which the class users have access to, allowing them to add, amend, summarise information, or bring up questions regarding it. Learners can also create group Blogs, for learning activities and assessment tasks which utilise group work. The LM can monitor what each learner has contributed to the group Blog, and assess the individuals on their progress, and provide guidance accordingly.
Negatives could include certain legal liability, in the way of defamation when mentioning people in the blog, etc. In an educational context, this is not likely to happen, but things like this must still be considered, with a Learning Manager’s duty of care and responsibility as the student’s guardian.
In summary, blogging, used in the correct way, and with appropriate content, can be highly effective for engaging and maintaining learners of the 21st Century, keeping them entertained and fully immersed in a mode of study which will carry them far beyond the classroom.
References:
References:
Poling, C. (2005) Blog On - Building Communication and Collaboration Among Staff and Students
Ellison, N. & Wu, Y. (2008). Blogging in the Classroom: A Preliminary Exploration of Student Attitudes and Impact on Comprehension. Journal of Educational Multimedia and
Wiki Activity: Mobile Phones
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