Advantages:
-Weblogs are easy to setup and administrate in contrast to other technologies.
-Weblogs make it easier to publish all types of resources (text, images, video, etc.) to the Web when compared to traditional web publishing.
-Weblogs can be updated easily, from anywhere without having to worry about FTP connections, web authoring software, etc.
-24/7 (anytime, anywhere) access to the information posted in weblogs.
-The instructor does not need to periodically request the learning logs to the students.
-Other technologies can be applied jointly. For instance, using of Wikis as enablers for group
writing and knowledge sharing. For example, building glossaries.
BENEFITS
-Weblogs help create connections between students with diverse opinions and interests. This encourages critical thinking and teaches the value of respect towards other students’ points of view.
-Weblogs’ features (linking, replying, and tracking) make easier sharing knowledge and information.
-The first and foremost benefit of weblogs in HEIs is their use as e-learning tools. This way, the teaching-learning process can continue outside the classroom.
-Discussions in weblogs promote higher levels of thinking, because people can think before answering back.
- Collaborative weblogs support team work and group learning.
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-Different instructors and students from different parts can share a weblog and teach and learn together.
BARRIERS
-The use of technology- based tools may be another barrier. It can be of a structural nature, for instance lack of computers, or difficult access to the Internet (as happens in Spain where the Internet connection is quite expensive and slow).
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-Instructors may have difficulty in assessing student participation in the weblog. There are several indicators to take into account: group grading, individual posting, quality of posts, etc., as well as subjectivity vs. qualitative appreciations.
-If the weblog is public, it may suffer troll infestations, people that intentionally try to cause disruption by posting messages that are inflammatory, insulting, incorrect, inaccurate, or offtopic, with the intent of provoking a reaction from others.