Jul 25 2008
K-12 teacher use of blogging
http://www.classroom20.com/forum/topic/show?id=649749%3ATopic%3A92225
The above forum Classroom 2.0 contains a valid case study in support of web 2.0 technolgy use by teachers Kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Jeffrey Felix, Superintendent of Bonsall Union School District, Bonsall, California conducted reasearch on edublogging and published his findings in Dec. 07. His summary is as follows:
- Writing plays a very important role in education.
- Blogging represents a new way for teachers to interact with their students.
- Blogging as an instructional practice allows teachers to be active participants and co-learners with students. The foundation of good pedagogy. The I, Thou, It relationship that is crucial to all learning.
- Without attempting to consider blogging as a technological tool amongst others, the teaching profession will have difficulty relating to students in a digital age and this will affect the student/teacher relationship.
2 responses so far
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Here are a few notable points on the research to which you refer. I have yet to obtain though soon hope to obtain the original source material of this research. I have written Dr. Felix a request for this.
Dr. Felix’s dissertation and subsequent summary thereof is based on 12 completed surveys from preselected and prequalified K-12 U.S. teachers who used blogging with their students. Thus the highly specific sample and conclusions are neither random nor able to function as predictors for the entire population of U.S. teachers. He clearly states via his Powerpoint presentation of his research (3/2008) that his philosophical basis is phenomenological. This is a stark contrast to logical empiricism as an approach to the philosophy of science and scientific research. A simplistic difference can perhaps be seen as explanation (phenomenological) and prediction (empirical).
Any tool can be seen as an entity used to interface between two or more areas that facilitate more effective action of one area upon the other. Marshall McLuhan famously said “We shape our tools. And then our tools shape us.” McLuhan was referring to the fact that our social practices co-evolve with our use of new tools and the refinements we make to existing tools.
If blogging/edublogging is an answer amongst much potential in Web 2.0 technology then the more specific the question(s) needs to be framed.
As a special education teacher, I value the availability and use of technology in my curriculum. It is so crucial to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology. It is a wonderful way for students to learn and utilize the web appropriately. With sites such as youtube, myspace and millions of pornography websites that pop up with almost any word we type in the search bar, I feel it is refreshing to teach how the Internet can be used as an effective tool for learning and communication. Maybe we can make a difference in how kids today use the Internet and view what is on the Internet.
Blogging is such a fun activity to supplement almost any subject. Having my Masters in Reading, I strive to find new ways to connect with non-readers and reluctant readers. Many of these students are unwilling to write as well. Blogging allows students to write in a different way that tends to bring out creativity and sometimes even enthusiasm.
It is our responsibility as educators to keep up with technology so that we can offer our students the best possible education not only through differentiating instruction, but for preparing them for a “.com” world that can only be survived by the knowledge of technolgy.