"A blog is a user-generated website where entries are made in
journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order." (Wikipedia
2007)
A blog (short for web log) is a specific type of web site
that an individual or a group of authors adds entries (posts) to on a regular
basis. These entries are displayed in reverse chronological order i.e. the most
recent entries first. Where there are many previous entries these are archived
and can be accessed via links or a blog search.
Common features of a blogging system:
- Easy to use authoring tools that allow text, images, video etc to be incorporated in blog entries
- A search facility
- The facility for blog readers to add public comments to each entry
- Automated archiving of previous entries
- A news feed which allows readers to subscribe to a specific blog and be automatically alerted to new posts (see using feeds to monitor blogs)
Blogs are one of the most representative tools of WEB. They offer flexibility, adaptability, and integration with other tools. Blog is appropriate tool to many learning and teaching applications, particularly in higher education. Easy to use authoring tools that allow text, images, video etc to be incorporated in blog entries. Blogging is may have great value in terms of developing all sorts of critical thinking skills and writing skills. Blogging offers students a chance to a) reflect on what they are writing and thinking as they write and think it, b) carry on writing about a topic over a sustained period of time, maybe a lifetime, c) engage readers and audience in a sustained conversation that then leads to further writing and thinking and d) synthesize disparate learning experiences and understand their collective relationship and relevance. This just seems to me to be closer to the way we learn outside of school, and I see those things sorely lacking anywhere in traditional education.
There are two main activities associated with blogs and blogging:
Reading existing blogs
Writing your own blog
Reading existing blogs
As blogs are now so common on the Internet it is practically impossible to avoid them when searching for information. They now provide one of the most important sources of up to date information on the Internet as without technical barriers or editorial processes information is made instantly available as bloggers post new entries to their blogs. There are also many leading academics who actively blog and can provide trustworthy sources of current opinion and information. This means that blogs will increasingly offer academically valid sources of opinion and information.
Writing your own blog
The ease of use offered by current blogging systems means that all students and staff now have the opportunity to actively participate in blog authoring.
The blog itself is very much the property of the blog author who can control the timing and content of entries, as well as the overall look and feel of the blog. This allows the author to express elements of their personality through the blog so encouraging participation and engagement with blogging related learning activities.
When writing blog entries the author will be aware that generally all postings will be publicly visible. This represents a different audience than is the case for most other academic assignments and will help to develop the author's writing skills.
The repeated and regular nature of blog authoring makes it ideal for activities based around reflection which has been recognized as being extremely important to the process of learning.
Public visibility of blogs and the facility for visitors to leave comments means that blogs provide the opportunity for contacts to be made, discussions to be struck up and over time communities to form. The fact that both staff and students can author blogs as equals means that these communities can be more accessible than has previously been the case in academic life.
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