1. EARLI Conference 2007 Web-logs as Instrument for Reflection-on-Action in Teacher Training Iwan Wopereis Open University of the Netherlands Educational Technology Expertise Centre Sybilla Poortman Fontys University of Professional Education Department of Teacher Education

2. 1

3. “600.000 internet users in the Netherlands keep a ‘web- based diary’ (blog)” Metro, april 2006 “World-wide 70.000.000 blogs exist; every day 120.000 new blogs ‘emerge’” Technocrati, April 2007

5. 2

6. Problems with reflective activity in (higher) education (Bennamar, 2005) –Procedures and instruments fall short with regard to reflection and learning to reflect –‘Boring activity’, often postponed… Maybe Weblogs can help to overcome some problems

7. Overview presentation Introduction –weblogs and reflection Method –materials, design, procedure, analysis Main results –reflection, interactivity, continuity reflection process Conclusion / Discussion

8. Introduction Weblog (success / characteristics): –Wijnia (2005) –Du & Wagner (2006; in press) –Anderson (2007) –Shoffner (2006) Reflection / Reflection tools -Korthagen (1993, 1999) -Mansvelder-Longayroux (2007) -Benammar (2005) -Schön (1983) Conversation Registration Consultation Weblog

9. Introduction Point of departure exploratory study: –Weblogs are web-based journaling tools –They resemble authentic logbooks (cf. Korthagen, 1993, 1999) –But offer new opportunities for promoting reflection

10. Introduction For instance Since: weblogs are instruments to make processes more explicit (registration) weblogs do promote interactivity (consultation and conversation) weblogs have a positive effect on motivation behavior (ownership) they may have a positive effect on (the continuity of) reflective activity

11. Introduction Main question in this exploratory study: Are weblogs suitable instruments for reflection-on-action? Where reflection-on-action is defined as (Schön, 1987; Ertmer & Newby, 1996; Benammar, 2005): the active process of making sense of past experiences for the purpose of orienting oneself for current and/or future thought and actions; reconstruction or reorganisation of experience and knowledge

12. Introduction Did students reflect-on-action? Did interactivity occur and did it promote the reflection process? Did students postpone their reflective activities?

13. Method Subjects: 20 student teachers of two institutions: –Fontys 1:n=8; 20.4 years old –Fontys 3:n=9; 23.5 years old –VU:n=3; 31.7 years old Using weblogs during an eight-week internship 2 reflective writings and 2 feedback writings a week Instructional support: workshop and teacher/coach Three instruments for data collection

14. Docent Student 2 Student 3 Student 4 Student 5 Student 1 Docent RSS Materials Really Simple Syndication

15. Last 3 reflective posts

16. Docent Student 2 Student 3 Student 4 Student 5 Student 1 Docent RSS Link Materials

17. KLIK

19. Links to students and teacher

20. KLIK

22. Feedback on reflective writings

23. Some design aspects Promoting reflection by promoting interaction Promoting reflection by offering structure (writing)

29. Results: Did the students reflect?

30. Main competencies:interpersonal and organizational Main topics:survival and classroom management Developm. phase:survival Depth of reflection:mainly describing: evaluation Type:critical incidents, not really thematic

31. Results: Delay Postponement grouptime (average; days)range Fontys 14.490-34 Fontys 33.173-7 VU0.650-4 Overall3.800-34

32. Results: Delay 0-2 days3-5 days5-10 days> 10 daysmissing data Fontys 1 (8)41111 Fontys 3 (9)144 VU (n=3)3 Overall (20)85115

33. Results: Interaction (feedback)

36. Results: Interaction Students give feedback, but this does hardly result in a discussion Students do occasionally respond to comments (feedback) Students said the feedback of peers was useful for future action

37. Conclusions Well implemented, weblogs have potential They promote reflection-on-action They promote interactivity They promote continuity of the proces Integration with e-portpolio? (Tosh et al., 2004): yes, but…

38. More information? iwan.wopereis@ou.nl www.reflectieblogs.info