Educational Uses of Blogs and Wikis By Steven Caringella

How are blogs being used? Stephen Downes identified five main ways. Downes, S. (2004). Educational Blogging. Educause Review, Available at

Classroom web pages Teachers posting rules and policies, schedules, assignments, and activities. Entries are automatically archived chronologically, saving both teacher and students time.

Links to content area websites In this case, the blog becomes a resource list of links to course subject matter. Blogs can be easily edited as resources change.

Class discussions Commenting field allows students to post text in response to the teacher’s prompts, and students are able to read and respond to each other’s posts as well. Teacher can respond to students’ posts.

Group collaboration Some university students are studying for final exams with the use of a wiki. Blog used as a classroom enewsletter or ezine. Group research and group projects.

Individual student blogs Teacher can post comments on each student’s blog. Teacher reads students’ blogs and comments, rather than hauling home thirty journals and spending all weekend reading and commenting.

Benefits of using blogs and wikis Motivation Reflective thinking and learning Communication Collaboration

Motivation to read and write Real world audience Easy to use Students quickly publish text Give and receive immediate feedback

Reflective learning Students reflect on class discussions Students reflect on own thinking processes and learning done Ongoing reflective dialogue between teacher and student

Communication Between students and teachers Between students and their peers Between students and those outside the classroom, such as content area experts Students learn from one another, not just from teacher

Collaboration Students can work together in class and outside of class Feedback feature Students have an equal voice, those who speak up in class and those reluctant to do so

Benefits for the teacher Easy to use Saves time! Can give students immediate and timely feedback Ongoing dialogue Guide students’ thinking processes

Reference List Bull, G., and Kaider, S. (2004). Blogs in the Language Arts Classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31 (6), Downes, S. (2004). Educational Blogging. Educause Review, Available at Fang, Y, and Wang, J. (2004). Benefits of Cooperative Learning in Weblog Networks. Available from the National Formosa University, Poling, C. (2005). Blog On: Building Communication and Collaboration Among Staff and Students. Learning and Leading with Technology, 32 (6),