Transcript Blog, blog, blog

Blog, blog, blog
Experiences with Web logs
in communication classes
Types of blogs



Micro-journal: similar to diary
Notebook: like journals (example)
Filter: include hyperlinks to related sites
(example)

Web journal: include writer’s opinions,
links to sites supporting that position
(example)
Research questions


How do communication/journalism
students learn to create blogs?
How can blogs help students learn
about communication topics?
Methodology



Research design: Ethnographic
educational evaluation
Participants: 48 undergraduate students
in two Online Publishing courses
Data sources: Field notes, e-mail
interviews, web logs, course evaluation,
reflexive journal (example)
Findings



Students learn about blogs by modeling
Students learn about web design,
current events by modeling, social
interaction
Results support social-cognitive
learning theory (Bandura)
Findings - three themes



Technical difficulties: creating blogs,
time management
Communication: among students, with
instructor
Writing quality: finding the blog voice,
producing content
Technical difficulties



Some students had problems creating
their blogs
Some students did not have enough
time for the blog project
Some students wanted more detailed
instructions on the project.
Communication



Students found opportunity to freely
discuss web sites with each other in
filter blog project
Students were open in conversations
with me about filter blog project
Little or no interaction took place with
notebook blog project
Writing quality


Many treated blog as form of e-mail
Some found active, personal voice
(example)


Content and critical analysis was
lacking in some notebook blogs (example)
Filter blogs took on conversational tone
among team members in first class.
(example)
Recommendations





Provide detailed instructions on creating
blogs, requirements for blog projects
Model examples of good blog writing
Make blogs public to attract audience
Invite professionals to join blogosphere
Write blog entries in word-processing
program for spell, grammar checking
Assessment




Evaluate several times over semester
Use student self-assessments
Use rubric to grade on content, writing
Instructor joins in blog discussion,
assessing content and writing as part of
blogging process
Future uses



For opinion-writing courses - link to
pro/con articles
For current events courses - cover how
to evaluate Web sites for credibility
For graphic design courses - link to
examples of newsletters, logos, etc.
Critique designs.