Entry #2: Using blogs in teaching and learning (20 points)
Find a case study on using blogs in teaching and learning
URL http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html
Analyze the case study and describe how blogs were used in what context in detail:
Political Science Professor Brown used blogging with his class as a tool for participating in public debate during an election. He believed students would benefit from this blog by interacting with people who were actually running for office (most of the candidates had blogs of their own). Professor Brown also believed critical thinking skills were being used by the students as they engaged with the wide audience of blog readers and subject area experts. “He feels that students can best apply the theoretical aspects of his course materials in a public venue with authentic readers, and also that the public venue will encourage students to put their best work forward, showing superior analysis and critical thinking skills.”
Critique the case study:
My only concern is that politics, in American culture, is polarized. This would be a difficult class to conduct if the majority of students (and/or instructor) were predominantly of one political party. Because of group dynamics, students might be subconsciously siding with one view point (or the other) because of pressures from the group itself. Furthermore, would the student’s grade be down-graded if they were taking the side of an opposing political viewpoint? Ultimately, Professor Brown would have to be very careful to make sure all political persuasions were able to freely express their views without fear of repercussion.
Discuss how you would use blogs in similar AND different situations.
Similar situation use – This would lend itself well to a class on policy. In the Department of the Army, policies change over time. Having learners see how policies change, due to the public arena, would help them understand a bigger picture on the functioning (both short-term and long-term) of the strategies guiding Army policy.
Different situation use – This could also be expanded for learners to see how a world-view affects policy change as well. My only concerns are similar to Professor Brown’s concerns that a balanced approach be used to get all viewpoints on the table.
References:
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/1/13066.pdf
http://www.answers.com/topic/blog
http://www.answers.com/topic/cyberjournal
http://www.articulate.com/downloads/Articulate_UW_Case_Study.pdf
http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html
http://www.higheredblogcon.com/index.php/blogs-for-learning-a-case-study/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blog
Find a case study on using blogs in teaching and learning
URL http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html
Analyze the case study and describe how blogs were used in what context in detail:
Political Science Professor Brown used blogging with his class as a tool for participating in public debate during an election. He believed students would benefit from this blog by interacting with people who were actually running for office (most of the candidates had blogs of their own). Professor Brown also believed critical thinking skills were being used by the students as they engaged with the wide audience of blog readers and subject area experts. “He feels that students can best apply the theoretical aspects of his course materials in a public venue with authentic readers, and also that the public venue will encourage students to put their best work forward, showing superior analysis and critical thinking skills.”
Critique the case study:
My only concern is that politics, in American culture, is polarized. This would be a difficult class to conduct if the majority of students (and/or instructor) were predominantly of one political party. Because of group dynamics, students might be subconsciously siding with one view point (or the other) because of pressures from the group itself. Furthermore, would the student’s grade be down-graded if they were taking the side of an opposing political viewpoint? Ultimately, Professor Brown would have to be very careful to make sure all political persuasions were able to freely express their views without fear of repercussion.
Discuss how you would use blogs in similar AND different situations.
Similar situation use – This would lend itself well to a class on policy. In the Department of the Army, policies change over time. Having learners see how policies change, due to the public arena, would help them understand a bigger picture on the functioning (both short-term and long-term) of the strategies guiding Army policy.
Different situation use – This could also be expanded for learners to see how a world-view affects policy change as well. My only concerns are similar to Professor Brown’s concerns that a balanced approach be used to get all viewpoints on the table.
References:
http://eprints.qut.edu.au/13066/1/13066.pdf
http://www.answers.com/topic/blog
http://www.answers.com/topic/cyberjournal
http://www.articulate.com/downloads/Articulate_UW_Case_Study.pdf
http://cit.duke.edu/resources/getting_started/web20toolkit/tools/web20casestudies.html
http://www.higheredblogcon.com/index.php/blogs-for-learning-a-case-study/
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blog
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