Blog assignment

Blogs are a convenient way to put information out on the web for students to use, and give students a place to make public statements or link to documents. Richardson points out some of the pitfalls that can happen when students, or any people, get on the web and start typing. Any blog I expect students to read needs to meet standards of decency and respect for individual opinions (Richardson, 2008).

When people fear being ridiculed or chastised for their opinion, many will not share their valuable thoughts. This robs the entire group of the discourse generated when honest, but different, opinions are fed into a discussion. When some people are afraid to speak their mind, a discussion can look like a consensus when it isn’t. Very little learning takes place when no unique thoughts are presented.

The act of blogging, when done on a specific subject, can develop a better understanding of the topic for the writer and the reader. Having to justify your opinion forces you to confront why you hold it, and let’s others point out inconsistencies in your logic. Reading somebody else’s opinion on a topic can broaden your grasp of the subject, and help you reflect on your own opinion. This is true whether you agree with the poster’s view or not. In his blog, Mr. Harbeck points out that the mind of a blogger is forced to process information more thoroughly than a consumer of visual media, because the human brain processes words differently than images (Harbeck).

I think blogs can be used in class to put information in places where kids can get it later to review, or give additional help that didn’t get covered in class. Reviews of previous concepts can be posted as a lesson, and students looking for that help can find it. A blog might also be handy for giving students a place to vent some feelings about coursework, and the instructor could reply or just absorb the idea. Students probably have better ideas how to use blogs in the classroom, and I will use their expertise to develop rules and strategies.

Bibliography
Harbeck. (n.d.). Sargent Park Math Zone. Retrieved July 15, 2009, from http://sargentparkmathzone.blogspot.com/
Richardson, K. W. (2008). Don't Feed the Trolls. Learning and Leading with Technology .