Here is the third entry of excerpts from my own coursework.

Blogging with a purpose

Evaluations of the academic value of blogging are often very harsh. We need only look back to our discussion of different technological media to see the overwhelming negative response to blogging. I think this is in large part due to the purpose typically attached to blogging. Those who make use of blogs frequently employ them as a one-way conduit of information, posting their own thoughts, opinions, experiences. Their writings often take the form of rants against their dislikes, and seem to serve no purpose beyond venting personal frustration. Purpose though is the key to turning around the negative perspective of blogs. If we understand how to put them to a better end, we can then use them as another of our educational tools.

Looking at the list of the features of authentic activities (as described in our lesson) immediately reveals blogging to match many of the traits. It is certainly open-ended, as it is generally little more than a text file viewable online. To what end students put the resource is not directed in any particular way. It is certainly an on-going process, being completely unlimited in the amount of time students might devote. It is also very useful in reflection, as bloggers can often gain new insight by organizing and writing out thoughts and ideas. Blogs can be very helpful for self-discovery. It is possible to look at larger patterns in the whole of one's own writings, and see changes over time, frequently addressed subjects, emotions tied to the writing, and purposes of writing. Blogging can also be beneficial for students who are less inclined to presenting or uncomfortable speaking before a class. A blog provides a partial change, with the material being viewed by others, but without being under their direct scrutiny.

When using blogs as an educational tool for students, I think it is important that students determine their own purposes and intents. Providing too much direct instruction can take away from the authenticity of the activity; as we saw in our own lesson, such activities need to maintain a broad scope, giving students room to explore. In assessment of a student's blog, one of the most important concepts for me would be that the students devise their own subjects of writing and the purpose that these serve. While I am often a stickler for formal writing (avoiding ending sentences with prepositions, use of the second person, and many other minute details), I would give most credit to that writing which was most natural, which exhibited a student's patterns of thinking and approaches to questions. For some, such as myself, formal and pedantic writing is comfortable; for others, such as some friends of mine whose blogs I frequent, entries take a conversational tone; others still seem to be focused on efficiency of conveying information, and are often filled with l33t speak. Encouraging students to find their voices and come to understand them will improve the whole of their writing.

The other significant matter for assessment is the demonstration of effort. What each person decides to do with a blog and how they make connections between it and the rest of their lives is going to very greatly from person to person. Measuring effort rather than achievement would be ideal, as it would support those who lacked confidence in their results and compel high achieving students to keep pushing their learning forward. This measurement would also consider the students' networking. Authentic learning works best when it is linked to matters of personal relevance and allows interaction with others. Currently, blogs are the primary means of communication I have with certain friends. We have used the blogs as a means of collaborating on ideas and of showing to each other some of the connections made with our thoughts. The potential that they have for coordinating with others is great, and students should be prepared to take advantage of that.

With ingenuity, the blog can become a gateway to much more. As a simple concept, it takes some thinking to devise how it might be used for a greater activity. But that personalization, as well as the lack of a specific desired result or answer, help to provide just enough to initiate a greater work.