The essential question for this week is: Why could blogging change, or not change, the traditional classroom?
There is a clear need for education to re-imagine how and what we teach. Why shouldn’t blogging be a standard tool toward this goal? If the objective is to have students become better writers, then I would say the use of blogging is no different than the traditional pen-to-paper writing assignment. In the end, the experience does not guarantee student success in reading comprehension or writing skills. If, on the other hand, the blogging exercise is intended for students to use technological tools as they “think about thinking,” then on-line blogging not only changes traditional classroom practices, but it also has the potential to change the learning habits of students.
To think about thinking means a student begins the learning process from the “me” center. I support the idea that self-interest propels the progression of thought and thinking outside of ourselves. The thinking radiate out and makes connections along the way. My philosophy is: to write is to think. To think is to grow. In a real-world context, educators (and employers) place a high value on critical thinking skills. So, if this is true, course content is secondary to the goal of building better thinkers and better citizens for life after school.
This may sound like a bunch of psycho-babble. And maybe it is. However, I have to say I am becoming more of a believer in the value of addressing human need as a key component to “good” teaching practices. To develop a pedagogical style that explores the social/emotional needs of students creates an environment that is quite literally student-centered.
What does this have to do with blogging? Everything. Often I say, “people just want to be heard.” Well, student blogging has the potential to address this basic need. For example, consider the classroom with a 1 to 30 teacher/student ratio. It is nearly impossible for all voices to be heard and all experiences to be shared. On-line blogging gives the student a voice, an audience, and the potential for feedback from a network of other people. Even the disengaged student has the opportunity to reflect on his/her disinterest (be it course content or life in general). Yes, there are drawbacks ranging from re-directing student focus to policing and censorship (a task that already falls under the realm of “classroom management.”) The point is the blogsphere opens the door for many learning and sharing possibilities.
Janice
