JOURNAL 09 "5" Common Mistakes in Using Blogs with Students

Reynard, PH.D., Ruth (October 2008). Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Using Blogs with Students. The Journal, Retrieved 12/19/2008, from http://www.the journal.com/articles/23434


The author believes in the use of technology to enhance students “learning outcomes” and in this article focuses on blogging. Implementing and integrating blogging or any “learning resource” into an “ overall course design “ is important. There is no “ one-way” to incorporate blogging but “careful planning and skill management” must be addressed. Online instructors must be very clear in their blog use, how they will accomplish “…student learning needs and objectives”, and how they will evaluate student work. Five (5) common mistakes are discussed “ …that should be avoided when using blogs in instruction.” The first is Ineffective Contextualization that asserts the inability of the instructor to connect the blogging activity with any instructional content. There “…must be a certain amount of content preparation already covered…to support the blogging activity.” The second mistake is the blog has an Unclear Learning Outcome. The instructor becomes more focused on a course objective rather than utilizing the blog to “...develop new higher level thinking skills.” A third mistake is Misuse of Environment. The blog offers a specific type of environment which is “…intended to be an individual publication...”, otherwise, for the student. The environment is not a wiki or a forum for online discussion. The fourth mistake involves Illusive Grading Practices whereby the instructor does not make clear how a student will be evaluated. The fifth mistake is Inadequate Time Allocation. Students are “ …different in their processing times within any learning context…” and the instructor should allow students ample time to maximize the blog tool. Technology offers instructors many excellent tools to deliver an effective educational experience to students. Blogging is only one example of how technology can be beneficial to education but as communicated by the author planning and management of these tools is essential. I am convinced technology offers instructors an immense opportunity to expand a students learning experience but the teacher must put in the time to be innovative and creative in attaining their desired results.

QUESTIONS:
1. How can I use blogging as an instructional tool in a math class?

A math instructor could create a blog that students could access to find posted extra credit problems, “today’s” math problems and solutions, additional math web sites helpful to students, homework problems could be posted, assignments posted. They can be very useful to the teacher and student.

2. How can individual student blogs be useful in a math class?

By having students post to their own blogs and a teacher having access, perhaps, a teacher can discover insights on how to become a better teacher and improve communication with this student. Each student has different needs and he/she may not feel comfortable verbalizing themselves in class but a blog may offer a safer venue to express there concerns and subject difficulties.