To Blog or not to Blog. Reflection of blogs in classrooms.

Starting this course there has been a fairly steep learning curve and I am certainly getting an appreciation for ICT and better understanding of how it could be used within classrooms. I was very sceptical about starting a blog, it had always been something that had never really interested me but now in this course I see it is a beneficial way for me, as the student to put into practice what I have been learning and obviously communicate with the world about my understanding of the topics. 

Looking at this topic (The uses of Blogs in teaching)  analytically, I undertook a SWOT analysis.
STRENTGTHS

• Learner centred
• Students can develop their own portfolios at their own pace.  They can write as much or as little as they like
• Edited only by the "owner"
• Can be updated quickly and easily
• Give those students less likely to interact in class the opportunity to participate
• Supports multi media, including images, videos etc
• Hyperlinking allows students to see that information can be related and its interconnectivity (Connectivism learning theory)
• Gives a sense of satisfaction, which can lead to improved self esteem
• it is Free to use
• great tool for enabling student to analyse, evaluate
• Records past work
• Accessable outside of school hours

WEAKNESSES

• They need to be scaffolded effectively to ensure the right learning outcomes
• Students may be wary of having information about themselves out in the world for people to comment and possibly criticise on
• Require a computer and internet access
• Blogs are based normally only on opinions and beliefs of the writer. 

OPPORTUNITIES

• Blogs could give students the ability to have an outlet for their creativity
• They gives teachers the ability to see how students are progressing and understanding the topic and where they may need to focus their future teaching on
• A great tool to use for assignment construction and reflection

THREATS

• Online safety of students. eg hacking, predators, cyberbullying
• Students are opened to critiscism through  Negative comments which in turn could lead to demotivation

From my analysis, I definitely think there is a place for blogging in classrooms.  The positives certainly out weigh the negatives. Blogging is a great tool in implementing constructivism and connectivism learning theories into a classroom.  Through the use of Blogs, students can have the ability to construct their own meaning and understanding about particular topics and have the ability to have feedback from the world around them.  In my own experience of blogging so far, I  have found that I am better able to construct understanding and meaning sometimes through my colloboration and interaction with other students blogs.   I have found that when somethings haven't made sense for me, reading through other blogs has helped the information to fit into place.  Definitely a valuable tool in a classroom.  Students can help each other through their own expereinces.

Blogging also puts into practice Blooms Taxonomy of creating,  evaluating, analysing, applying and understanding.

http://taspd.edublogs.org/files/2007/04/bloom_taxonomy.jpg

I think it is essential that as a teacher, to be aware of the weaknesses and threats that a Blog and in fact any activity that they may undertake online can involve, and put precautions into place to ensure that they will be protected the best way possible. 

Although my time with blogging has been limited, research has found me some websites that have great ideas of  how to include blogging in a classroom. Teachers first blog ideas is one of them and the other is more concerned with the "How to" of blogging.