Blogging for Education

 

In the 21st Century, the blogosphere will play a significantly larger role in education and instructional design.  In all areas of the academic spectrum, from elementary school through post graduate-work, educators can, and perhaps, should include blogs and blogging as a basic part of their curriculum. In higher education applications, the blogosphere can be invaluable.  If you are reading this, then you can see just how practical blogging can be in terms of course development and knowledge base enhancement.  This is only one of many simple ways to utilize blogging in academia.

 

In most academic setting, a blog can be used as a way to manage student portfolios.  In a digital classroom, all assignments could be submitted as blog posts or as links to documents elsewhere in cyberspace.  They could also be used as an experience for students in managing risk, and interacting with the outside world, as blogs are open for review by anyone with an internet connection.  Middle school courses can integrate blogs into a unit on social skills and how to accurately portray oneself in the blogosphere.  With the advent of social networking sites, and the age at which students are putting themselves out into the world, integrating blogging into the classroom at an earlier age can actually teach some aspects of social responsibility.

 

There are many aspects of blogging that can be used in the classroom.  Students have the ingenuity to use digital media, and classroom educators should allow them to fully utilize that potential.  If it's for a grade, that's even better.