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THE USE OF WEBLOGS IN HIGHER EDUCATION - Coggle Diagram
THE USE OF WEBLOGS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Weblogs are personal web pages written in chronological order and maintained through a specific software that helps their administration.
It is described an interesting teaching technique whereby students document their learning activities and learning results in a concurrent journal.
WEBLOG TYPES, USES AND ADVANTAGES
TYPES.
In order to understand the functioning of weblogs, the first thing to be done is to address their nature.
the proposed classification is based on two dimensions: style and content. Regarding style, there are the interactive weblogs and the closed weblogs mostly based on whether the weblog author allows for comments on the weblog.
Instructor weblog
: weblogs written by instructors are mainly used as an additional communication channel to share information with students. Instructor weblogs usually contain course content, course management information, general commentary to all students about their learning progress, etc.
Student weblog: weblogs written by students are basically learning weblogs or project weblogs. A learning weblog is “a learning diary, created concurrently with the learning experience, and reporting on the learning content as wells as the process.
USES.
A weblog keeps records for TQM (Total Quality Management) policies in teaching
assessment.
Faculty members use weblogs to post class announcements, syllabi, assignments, and more
in addition to offering students a forum for discussing class topics
Faculty members use weblogs to post class announcements, syllabi, assignments, and more
in addition to offering students a forum for discussing class topics
ADVANTAGES.
Weblogs are easy to setup and administrate in contrast to other technologies.
Weblogs makes easier to publish all types of resources (text, images, video.) to the Web
Weblogs allow instant publishing with just one click
Weblogs can be updated easily, from anywhere without having to worry about FTP
connections, web authoring software, etc.
Weblogs have the ability to reach a large audience without losing information quality and
allowing for different levels of detail.
24/7 (anytime, anywhere) access to information posted in weblogs.
No special blogging software is needed to create a weblog
nstructor does not need to periodically request the learning logs to the students.
BENEFITS AND BARRIERS
SOME BENEFITS
The first and foremost benefit of weblogs in HEIs is their use as e-learning tools.
Weblogs help create connections between students with diverse opinions and interests
Weblogs’ features (linking, replying, and tracking) make easier sharing knowledge and
information.
Collaborative weblogs support team work and group learning.
SOME BARRIERS.
Instructors may have difficulty in assessing student participation in the weblog
The use of technology- based tools may be another barrier
System administrators tend to be restrictive in installing new software.
If the weblog is public, it may suffer troll infestations, people that intentionally try to cause
disruption by posting messages that are inflammatory.
SECURITY CONCERNS
Is it always preferable to have classroom discussions done publicly?
Should there be a concern about people posting under other people's names?
Does anonymity plays a true role in people’s willingness to disclose information on the
weblog?
Does the user’s willingness to share information depend on the perception on how it will be
used?