Will Blogs Take Over the World?
I think the blog has officially taken on a life of its own. I don't know if this is good or bad; I keep thinking of how the machines become self-aware in The Terminator 2 and imagine myself, buff like Linda Hamilton, packing heat to defend the human race against giant metamorphosing blogs. This may be an exaggeration, but twice already members of the outside world have commented on our class blog (though one was actually helpful), and some of my students have used the blog to passive aggressively attack each other. I've addressed these situations, and I think use of the blog will continue to improve, but I think that so many students are accustomed to blog sites like "My Space" that the line between the personal and the academic blogs can be fuzzy, especially in a course like English. But for the most part, I am blown away both by my students' perceptive comments and by their honesty. I feel a little closer to them now, and I look forward to reading their entries. At times, I think I, too, become obsessive with the blog. As I mentioned in my last entry, I just have to maintain a philosophical focus.
As a postscript, I have seen some early drafts of my students' philosophy books, and I'm intrigued and somewhat humbled. Looking forward to the final products...
posted by Kristin L @ 7:31 PM
4 Comments:
I'm thinking a skit in the next faculty talent show with you as Linda Hamilton is a great idea!
I think you're right, we have to continually reinforce for students that academic blogging is very different from My Space "journaling" or "diary-ing". And, just like in the classroom, we have to talk to students about how to debate points without attacking each other or getting nasty. But I think this is another reason to use blogs - it gives students "supervised" practice in doing that.
It sounds like you think this has been a very positive thing to add to your curriculum. I'm curious, have you asked your students what they think about blogging in your class?
Kristin, how completely entertaining! "Giant metamorphosing blogs" Tee hee!
I too, have wondered about their importance and growth ever since Mary discussed that she didn't see a need for blogs in her class and how Cara suggested that we shouldn't all use them in class. I continue to think about how do I make blogs, or any other technology, a tool to engage students instead of an end. I want students to participate in their education and really gain knowlegde and interest through their own discovery as well as their peers. Blogs are just one tool.
We'll see if blogs become the next BLOB on late-night TV.
I think you're right, we have to continually reinforce for students that academic blogging is very different from My Space "journaling" or "diary-ing". And, just like in the classroom, we have to talk to students about how to debate points without attacking each other or getting nasty. But I think this is another reason to use blogs - it gives students "supervised" practice in doing that.
I think you're right, we have to continually reinforce for students that academic blogging is very different from My Space "journaling" or "diary-ing". And, just like in the classroom, we have to talk to students about how to debate points without attacking each other or getting nasty. But I think this is another reason to use blogs - it gives students "supervised" practice in doing that. sports picks
Post a Comment
<< Home