Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
THE USE OF WEBLOGS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: BENEFITS AND BARRIERS (Weblogs are…
-
WEBLOG TYPES, USES AND ADVANTAGES
research has been carried out on the taxonomy of weblogs, which has led to discussing weblog uses (whether for learning or other activities)
-
-
Types
In order to understand the functioning of weblogs, the first thing to be done is to address their nature. In this line of thought, literature shows some attempts to classify weblogs in terms of different features.
-
-
Advantages
-
Weblogs can be updated easily, from anywhere without having to worry about FTP connections, web authoring software, etc.
Weblogs makes easier to publish all types of resources (text, images, video, etc.) to the Web when compared to traditional web publishing.
BENEFITS AND BARRIERS
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.
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.
-
Barriers
-
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.
-
-
SECURITY CONCERNS
Finally, there are several concerns regarding the security of the information logged in the weblog that must be taken into account. Therefore, certain questions are posed to those weblog users who intend to make the most of their teaching-learning process.
Is it always preferable to have classroom discussions done publicly? Should all these weblogs be open to the entire blogosphere or is there value in having discussions open to class participants only? This does not mean that only students in the classroom should be able to comment, but in general whether the readership should always be a wider audience.
Uses
Discovered five major motivations for blogging: documenting one’s life; providing commentary and opinions; expressing deeply felt emotions; articulating ideas through writing; and forming and maintaining community forums. Certainly, these motivations are not mutually exclusive and might come into play simultaneously.
weblogs are the development of traditional learning logs for students and teachers, whether as a complement to traditional lectures or as a e-learning tool.
Weblogs written by instructors are mainly used as an additional communication channel to share information with students.
-