Blogging: Pros and Cons for Adult Learners
Weblogs (blogs) and discussion board activities are similar in nature, but each have their
own unique properties. First, the similarities. Discussion boards and blogs are discussions
intending to engage readers; whether that be through eliciting a discussion response or
engagement through a blog story (that may include pictures or hyperlinks) shared with
others. Farmer (2004) discussed the impact that non-face to face communication has on a
learner, “a contribution can be viewed and read by one person, the whole group or nobody
and because how a writer understands the intended audience of their work dramatically
impacts on their entire approach to the task of writing, and this uncertainty impacts
considerably on the ability of the individual to project themselves” (p. 277). The uncertainty
of how to project oneself, and the level of comfort one feels when sharing in an online
format can vary greatly between students. It should be noted that students who feel
comfortable speaking up in class may not feel the same comfort in sharing online, and vice
versa for the students who do not feel comfortable speaking up in class.
own unique properties. First, the similarities. Discussion boards and blogs are discussions
intending to engage readers; whether that be through eliciting a discussion response or
engagement through a blog story (that may include pictures or hyperlinks) shared with
others. Farmer (2004) discussed the impact that non-face to face communication has on a
learner, “a contribution can be viewed and read by one person, the whole group or nobody
and because how a writer understands the intended audience of their work dramatically
impacts on their entire approach to the task of writing, and this uncertainty impacts
considerably on the ability of the individual to project themselves” (p. 277). The uncertainty
of how to project oneself, and the level of comfort one feels when sharing in an online
format can vary greatly between students. It should be noted that students who feel
comfortable speaking up in class may not feel the same comfort in sharing online, and vice
versa for the students who do not feel comfortable speaking up in class.
Although blogs and discussion forums are similar in nature, there are a few differences to
note. Farmer (2004) compares blogs and discussions and notes that although blogs are
typically published by one author, there are a number of examples of collaborative blogs
where two or more authors publish one blog. Having the ability to collaborate with
others on a subject can further enhance discussion; although we will not be collaborating
with our peers in a blog format in our course, we are utilizing a wiki format to enhance the
learner’s perspective on a particular topic. Castro (2018) further writes that blogs “can allow
learners to create aggregated content while making personal connections and subsequent
interpretations of content. Depending on the instructional goals assigned within a [blog],
students can engage with external content via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. The
inclusion of RSS feed support allows users to subscribe to favorite blogs and be notified of
updated content, putting the power of communicating and organizing information into the
hands of all users and stakeholders,” (p. 7) whereas, this information cannot be favorited
or organized in a typical discussion forum format.
note. Farmer (2004) compares blogs and discussions and notes that although blogs are
typically published by one author, there are a number of examples of collaborative blogs
where two or more authors publish one blog. Having the ability to collaborate with
others on a subject can further enhance discussion; although we will not be collaborating
with our peers in a blog format in our course, we are utilizing a wiki format to enhance the
learner’s perspective on a particular topic. Castro (2018) further writes that blogs “can allow
learners to create aggregated content while making personal connections and subsequent
interpretations of content. Depending on the instructional goals assigned within a [blog],
students can engage with external content via Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds. The
inclusion of RSS feed support allows users to subscribe to favorite blogs and be notified of
updated content, putting the power of communicating and organizing information into the
hands of all users and stakeholders,” (p. 7) whereas, this information cannot be favorited
or organized in a typical discussion forum format.
References
Castro, S. (2018). Using discussion boards, weblogs, problem-based learning, and
assessments in learning management systems to develop constructivism in the classroom.
Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3218087.
assessments in learning management systems to develop constructivism in the classroom.
Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3218087.
Farmer, J. (2004). Communication dynamics: Discussion boards, weblogs and the
development of communities of inquiry in online learning environments. In R. Atkinson,
C. McBeath, D. Jonas-Dwyer & R. Phillips (Eds), Beyond the comfort zone: Proceedings
of the 21st ASCILITE Conference (pp. 274-283).
development of communities of inquiry in online learning environments. In R. Atkinson,
C. McBeath, D. Jonas-Dwyer & R. Phillips (Eds), Beyond the comfort zone: Proceedings
of the 21st ASCILITE Conference (pp. 274-283).
" It should be noted that students who feel comfortable speaking up in class may not feel the same comfort in sharing online, and vice versa for the students who do not feel comfortable speaking up in class."
ReplyDeleteAs an instructor, it is important to acknowledge students' different needs and personalities. I agree that there might be some students that would not feel comfortable sharing online even though they have an "outspoken" personality in the face-to-face instruction. I believe that given the opportunity, the instructional design should accommodate the students’ different learning personalities and styles, and should offer students several types of communication. In that way, students will have the opportunity to choose what instructional activity suits them better and the instructor would have addressed the different types of multiple intelligence in the classroom in an effective way.
Thanks Elsa. That is why I have really enjoyed Dr. Kang's courses; he incorporates many types of technology and learning styles into his course so it is a little bit for everyone. In your courses, do you have several types of communication, and what does that look like? Is it something similar to our course so far (where each module is a little different from the last) or are there objectives that can be accomplished in several different styles of communication (for instance, for one assignment, does everyone have to submit a paper, or can people choose to submit a video, or a different style, as long as it fulfills the requirement of the assignment)? Thanks!
DeleteIn my ESL we mostly communicate by phone, either call or text. Email rarely seems to work with our target audience, and since all of my students use CANVAS only during class instruction, we do not set up announces or anything other than the Modules, Assignments and Quizzes. As far as on instructional activities, I do try to encompass the different learning styles and needs. Depending on the activity, students can choose to choose paper and pencil, or use the computer. I also work with stations, where students would go from one station to another completing activities. Of course, I am in diapers comparing to Dr. K! After this class, I hope to get better on integrating technology in my instruction!
Delete" It should be noted that students who feel comfortable speaking up in class may not feel the same comfort in sharing online, and vice versa for the students who do not feel comfortable speaking up in class." This comment also resonated with me from the learner's perspective. I am one of those people who speaks up less in class but more online. I enjoy the asynchronous time to think about what I am going to post and the ability to edit it before I hit the post button. I also like to be able to look up the supporting documentation for my opinions that lend more credence since I am so new to the field.
ReplyDeleteElsa, thank you for your insights as an established instructor. I agree, if at all possible, having both forms (face-to-face, and online) in the instructional design, it will not only assist the students of different learning style to have an area to shine, but it will give them a place to practice in their weaker style as well. By an instructor seeing both areas, it will give the instructor a more complete view of how much transfer of learning may be occurring. I had a hybrid class that used both and found I liked the format a lot.
Hi Vee,
DeleteI, too, work better when I have some time to thoughtfully approach my response to a discussion or a thread. I did speak up in my traditional classes also, but I was constantly thinking 'is this/that the right answer?' and would second guess myself more often than not. I enjoy the platform that allows for continuous discussion with my peers. Thanks for your comments.
The main difference between blogs and discussion boards is the discussion board provides a safe password protected environment to have a discussion. Blogs and discussion boards are both used for collaboration. When I am in the classroom environment, I tend to be a shy student. When I am using a discussion board I have more opportunities to develop my comments further and research the topic—so I can engage in the discussion or conversation. As an adult learner, this is my first experience with blogging. I am nervous about exploring this new arena of technology, and I am looking forward to developing my critical thinking skills and reflective writing skills.
ReplyDeleteHi Colleen,
DeleteYes, I agree with you - see my comment on Vee's post above. Regarding the difference between blogs and discussion boards, you are correct. There is a more intimate group looking at your post, rather than anyone who could stumble upon it. We now will show up in search functions more readily, since our names are posted on each others discussion boards. This reminds me of Celeste Headlee's Ted Talk in 2015, where she discusses the importance of telling people 'I don't know' when you don't have the answer to something. She says that when people are on the record, they are more likely to not 'flub' the facts and get them right, or say 'I don't know.' To liken this to our blog posts - now that they are on the web, anyone can come across them and challenge what we are saying in our blogs. Therefore, there needs to be an awareness of the content that is being published, and ensure that we are correctly citing, or representing our thoughts, opinions and our references -which we should also be doing in the discussion board anyway!
Reference
Headlee, C. (2015, May). 10 ways to have a better conversation. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/celeste_headlee_10_ways_to_have_a_better_conversation
A similarity noted was that both are intended to engage readers and that is a significant benefit to both of these forms of online communication. Yang and Chang (2011) found "that dialogues in the form of blog comments were associated with positive attitudes towards academic achievements in course subjects and online peer interaction, compared with no such engagement". Similar to the classroom, students were able to respond as much as they wanted to, but did find that some students improved the look of their blogs to attract more attention and some commented more than others, but overall, the use of the blog created a positive learning environment with more motivation to participate.
ReplyDeleteYang, C., & Chang, Y. (2011). Assessing the effects of interactive blogging on student attitudes toward peer interaction, learning motivation and academic achievements. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 28(2), 126-135.
Yes, good point Ksu1msm! I have actually noticed other students in our course doing this as well. There are some plain versions of the blog setup (such as mine) - but other people have really branched out and become (or already were) tech savvy to make their pages and posts look awesome! I can see how that would create a positive learning environment - and pride! - within students/adult learners. Thanks for sharing!
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