BP1_2009101_Educational_Uses_of_Blogs

     Blogs are a great way to trick students into using the writing process.  The ability to post one’s work and have others critique it is as the heart of editing.  Many times, young writers fear the collaboration of peer editing, but by disguising it as a blog, allows for some comfort level.  Today’s students are readily trained in the act of reading and responding to blogs, so converting academic practices into their world meets them halfway.

     Because blogs are public, the feedback students would get is even greater.  More discussions can be had and a system of networking can begin.  Blogs can also offer assistance in the brainstorming process by posing questions and soliciting responses.  They can also be used as a reflective piece.  Students could post their reactions to topics and ideas and spark discussions that way.

     Blogging best supports education through its ability to analyze persuasion.  Most blogs are opinion-based, either forwarding an argument or making an attempt to convince the readers of something.  Being able to state one’s stance on an issue and then carefully defend it is about as academic an endeavor there is.  The back and forth posting that ensues after, lends itself to critical thinking and communication skills.

     With everything that can be done with blogs, perhaps the best use for them is the idea that they are public.  When students know there is an audience for their work, they will tend to have a little more pride when doing it.  Going beyond the teacher-student relationship is important to demonstrate to students that their thinking is relevant in the world around them.  In fact, it’s crucial to prove to them that they are relevant today, and that they are ready to begin contributing today, not years from now once they are done with school.

     I am actually doing my action research project on the use of blogging to teach traditional writing.  My hope is that by teaching students the structure and elements of blogs they can transfer those concepts into their essay writing.  I want students to understand how who they are writing to influences how they should be writing.   Audience Specific Voice Appropriate (ASVA) is my main focus.