Blogging for Adult Learners
Today’s technology learning resources such as blogs, wikis and,
podcasts aid in the change from the classroom setting to a digital community learning
style. “As new technologies emerge, educators seek guidance on how to use these
technologies to enhance teaching and learning and build a sense of community.” (Martha, 2009, p. 48) As stated by
Blelacyz & Collins learning communities gives an individual the ability to
support individual knowledge while interacting with others to advance
collective knowledge. (Martha, 2009)
Blogs are a way of interacting to expose one’s personal traits. “Significantly,
rather than alienate a readership by exposing one’s personal traits and idiosyncrasies,
this adds to the very popularity of a blog.” (Williams & Jacobs, 2004, p. 234)
Blogs can be used as a resource of categorizing material in a contextual setting of
information of links. Blogs are becoming popular within the business industry increasing
pressures on college graduates to becoming familiar with such technologies. (Kaplan, Piskin, & Bol, 2009) Common
threads among blogging and adult education are experimental learning, educational
use of blogging, and academic literature on blogging. Consistent research among journals of different
vocations indicates that blogging is well accepted and encouraged.
We have generations of technology-savvy
students who are lacking in communication skills, ability to critically think
and cognitive skills. Growing up in
front of the television and electronic devices has hindered these abilities we need
to adapt and incorporate back into education. (Kaplan et al., 2009) Riper
states text messaging and instant messaging is the preferred communication over
face-to-face for Generation Y. The use of these mediums is done while using
shortcuts which can weaken written and oral communication skills. (Kaplan et al., 2009) Blogging can
bring a certain threat to the journalist profession and cause some animosity about
amateur capabilities. (Williams
& Jacobs, 2004)
In
conclusion I feel blogging is an advantage to adult education. It brings a
community environment while incorporating critical thinking but maintaining one’s
individuality. Blogging does bring the challenge of written and oral
communication skills that may require one to improve learning in the area
of grammar, syntax, and spelling. Overall the pros outweigh the cons and even make you a stronger student.
References
Kaplan, M. D., Piskin, B.,
& Bol, B. (2009). Educational blogging Integrating technology into
marketing experience. Journal of
Marketing Education. Retrieved from http://jmd.sagepub.com
Martha, S. M. (2009,
January/February). Instructional-design theory to guide the creation of online
learning communities for adults. TechTrends,
53(1), 48-56. Retrieved from
http://online-educator.pbworks.com
Williams, J. B., & Jacobs,
J. (2004). Exploring the use of blogs as learning spaces in the higher education
sector. Australasian Journal of
Educational Technology , 20(2),
232-247. Retrieved from https://eprints.qut.edu.au
You bring up some interesting points. First, you mention how blogging is personal, incorporating bloggers' idiosyncrasies. What pros and cons might this have? Second, you mention the younger generations' poor communicative, cognitive, and critical thinking skills. Do you think this is something that can be improved by blogging, or something that has been created by blogging?
ReplyDeleteI think blogging will improve communication, cognitive, and critical thinking skills. To better represent ourselves, online one should take the time to improve these skills before posting. Many companies are now requiring these skills of graduates and will be reading blogs. As earlier posts have talked about a digital footprint is essential and one should want to impress.
DeleteI would agree that many students text, or plop right down in front of the television when coming home from school and is a determent to their ability to think critically. Sousa (2017) suggests that technology has replaced human interaction and “because of neuroplasticity, it is rewiring their brains” (p. 33). The old saying that you have to be able to multitask and do two or three things at the same time does not hold true according to the research. The switching between one task and another task will come at a loss. The brain “can still focus on only one thing at a time" (p. 33). Which, goes to your statement that students have less than ideal communication skills because the student is used to a short text or a emjoi. The student just breezes through information and hurts the student’s ability to conduct deep thought and critically analyze research or other written communication.
ReplyDeleteEven though blogs are seen as a way to help not all students or teachers agree on its usefulness for higher education. In fact, research conducted over two years found that students thought blogging added nothing and "identified the blogs as just another task to complete" (Kresser, Wiggins and Jimenez, 2012, p. 330). Even those students who were at the ninja level of technology mastery did not see the use of blogs worthwhile. I don't know if the students'disparaging comments were the result of poor course design or the teachers' lack of blog experience.
Other research suggests that blogs are a great way to share ideas and develop a deeper understanding of the content being discussed. It helps students escape the confines of the four walls and is seen as a great tool to help students develop better communication skills and become a critical thinker. Mason (2006) that for blogs to be useful, there has to be "appropriate course design" (p. 127). It appears that the positive and negative aspects all go back to course design.
References
Hungerford-Kresser, H., Wiggins, J., & Amaro-Jimenez, C. (2012). Learning from our mistakes: What matters when incorporating blogging in the content area literacy classroom. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 55(4), 326-335. doi:http://dx.doi.org.er.lib.k-state.edu/10.1002/JAAL.00039
Mason, R. (2006). Learning technologies for adult continuing education. Studies in Continuing Education, 28(2), 121-133. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.er.lib.k-state.edu/docview/62108441?accountid=11789
I think you make a great point about the critical thinking aspect of blogging when it comes to interacting with peers. Allowing students to maintain individuality and simulate a real conversation through the medium of a blog can really help break down boundaries and allow each learner to grow. I also feel as if the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to blogging.
ReplyDelete