Stavredes (2011), succintly defines discussion forums as, "the most common communications toll used in online learning. They provide a way for learners to interact asynchronously one-to-one or one-to-many to discuss topics and freely exchange thoughts and ideas" (p. 175). She proceeds to define blogs as, "individual collections of writings from an individual with the capability of allowing others to comment on the writings and ideas of the author of the blog, thus establishing a sense of involvement" (p. 176). The essential difference existing in the purpose of a discussion board to encourage communication between two or more parties, while blogs are more similar to a monologue with other parties contributing if they so choose. While the 'sense' of involvement can be present in a successful blog, it is not as consuming as the interaction of a discussion board.
Blogging, similar to other types of journaling, is an excellent choice for reflective writing. As Stavredes (2011), indicates, "blogs are an excellent reflective tool for learners to communicate about their learning experiences in the form of an online journal" (p. 176). Reflective journals, through the use of blogging, "has the potential to expand a learner's network of colleagues and professional relationships through the creation of a community of virtual colleagues, mentors, and coaches" (King & Cox, 2011, p. 93). An obstacle that is encountered by faculty, when assigning a blog, is the large time commitment that is required for grading, reading, and commenting on student blogs (King & Cox, 2011). However, one can find a partial solution to this obstacle, by requiring students to comment on each other's blogs, thus reducing the amount of feedback required from the instructor.
References
Stavredes, T. (2011). Effective online teaching: Foundations and strategies for student success. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Do you have a favorite "Pro or Con" for blogging? You posted good resources, but I am more interested in individual opinions, does any factor lead you to want to blog or not blog?
ReplyDeleteHi Koul,
DeleteGreat question. My favorite 'Pro' for blogging is the ability to serve as a reflection space for an adult learner. This is the third course I have been required to create a blog in, two other were in my undergrad years. Both other blogs were a requirement to develop our abilities to reflect as future educators. In my opinion, they indeed served that purpose.
Jessica, you are fortunate to have had this experience in other classes. The more I am exposed to these blogs in this class, the more I am starting to appreciate the medium. I can tell you're more experienced just by the look and feel of your page. Jana
DeleteIn your post, you say "the essential difference existing in the purpose of a discussion board to encourage communication between two or more parties, while blogs are more similar to a monologue with other parties contributing if they so choose." However, when you look at the way we were directed to set up these blogs (and subsequently respond to the posts of others), in some ways, aren't we doing exactly the same thing we were doing on our Canvas discussion boards? Other than taking our discussions into a broader environment where now anyone can see what we are posting, it seems the differences can be very minimal, depending on how one chooses to use the blog space.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with you, that the way these particular blogs were assigned, they are very similar to discussion boards. I believe my post refers to blogs in a more general sense. Excellent point!
DeleteJana,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. Blogs most definitely seem more personal and give a larger sense of 'ownership' of one's writing.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your first paragraph. I like the point that you made regarding blogs being monologues. I couldn't agree more. What I have surmised after this week's reading is that a discussion board's purpose is to request information (on a question-response basis)whereas a blog's purpose is to provide information (on a statement-comment basis).
Also, I could definitely relate to your point about less pressure so to speak with a blog than a discussion board. In most cases, I have found with a discussion board a response is factual or at least expected to be and with a blog it is often opinion-based. I believe this sentiment is consistent with King and Cox's (2011) purview that a blog provides an opportunity for the blogger to speak his or her opinion, and relate blog content to their personal experience(p.93). That is, there is a less pressure, and the blogger can illuminate his or her work with a personal touch.
King, K. & Cox, T. (2011). The professor’s guide to taming technology. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Yes! I too find the personal experience comes through more in a BLOG than in a Discussion board.
ReplyDelete