Educational Blogging: An Introduction

Submitted by admin on Mon, 03/24/2014 - 07:24
Educational Blogging: An Introduction
by PROF. JENSEN DG. MAÑEBOG  

 
Blogging (“Web logging”)
1. the frequent, chronological publication on the Web of personal thoughts and opinions for other Internet users to read. The product of blogging is known as a “blog.”

2. Blog is a kind of hybrid diary and guide, although there are as many unique types of blogs as there are people who keep them (e.g. fashion blogs, food blogs, tourism blogs, etc).

3. There is a trend to use blogs in business as an informal discussion medium. Some companies have used blogs to provide a forum for discussion of new ideas and products.
 

Academic Blogging Philosophy

If commercial companies can use blogging to promote their products, why can't we, educators, use it as well to promote our lectures and thoughts, especially if they are beneficial and helpful. Examples:

Tips in Getting High Grades in Difficult Subjects

15 Tips to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

How To Deal with Terror Teachers

5 Tips on How to Make Your Romantic Relationship Last

7 Tips to Learn to Love Mathematics

Tips on How To Earn the Respect of Other People

Lessons in Life: The 10 L’s of a Balanced Life

*Vacation 101: 5 tips to enjoy it significantly

 
Types of Academic blogs
1. Lecture
2. Module
3. Article
4. Narrative (story)
5. Note*
6. e-learning package*
 

Some benefits
1. Having educational blogs makes our lectures always available to our past, current, and future students--virtually allowing us to be always there for those who seek for our instructions*.

2. Educational blogging prepares us for more serious academic tasks like book writing.

 
3. Blogging can make your academic  influence transcendent.*


Educational Blogging as an E-learning Material
1. It enables people to learn anytime and anywhere. It allows learners to receive instruction despite geographic and time disparities.

2. It could cater to people with physical disabilities, marginalized sector which is not allowed to enroll in some educational institutions, people who have jobs during normal school hours, and those who live in remote regions far from schools.

3. From the learners’ point of view, this provides the ability to "pause and rewind" and the advantage of moving at their own pace*. If they need to read the lecture a second time, or think about a question for a while, they may do so without fearing that they will hold back the rest of the class.


4. It allows students to enjoy private learning environment and increases their independence and personal responsibility for education.

5. It is compatible with online education or distance education program*. (Through this program, more people can earn their diplomas or repeat failed courses without the embarrassment of being in a class with younger students.*)


 
Where to blog
Free web hosting services:

1. Blogspot/Blogger.com (owned by Google)

2. WordPress

3. Tumbler

4. OurHappySchool.com
   - primarily an academic/educational site
   - with in-house editors, lay-out artists, photographers, etc.
   - used by students and teachers* (there's greater probability for your blogs to be read)
   - offers free automated e-learning UPCAT, NAT, and CSE reviewers
   - gives blogger's account to bona fide educators and deserving students
   (See OurHappySchool.com/About for more info)


Educational Blogs' Advantage

Information can be presented to students in a new, fun, and engaging way. It presents good alternative to printed learning materials. As observations reveal, rich media--including videos, animations, and gamification--can enhance learning.

OurHappySchool.com, for instance, allows the creation of an e-learning package--a blog consisting of:

1. texts

2. pertinent images (photos or tables)

3. educational video

4. links (leading to other educational materials)

5. comment section (for discussions: students to students/ teachers to students).

6. automated fun quizgame

   - available online and ok for 'simultaneous mass consumption'*  

   - automatically checks and scores the quiz*

   - gives the correct answer when the student errs (immediate feedback)

   - with rich media: image, sounds, and video

   - automatically sends the result to the teacher and quiz-taker's email (same with checked 'test paper' [printable])

 

Examples of Educational Blogs (e-learning package)

Philosophy:

Biology:

Industrial Engineering:

Highschool Education:

Elementary Education:

 
Example of Automated Fun QuizGame
 
 
Who can blog at OurHappySchool.com

1. educators*

2. deserving students*
3. members of ELPAP E-Learning Practitioners, Inc. (E-Learning Practitioners Association of the Philippines)**
   - provides members with trainings in e-learning applications like Educational Blogging, Automated E-learning QuizGame/Reviewer, E-book Creation, Edmodo, Moodle, etc.
   - provides certificates (membership & attendance)
   - membership also includes the privilege to blog at OurHappySchool.com
 
 
Some Helpful Articles:
 
Final Thought on E-learning

“No single e-learning method is best for every learning need. You will most likely need to use several e-learning technologies as well as traditional learning methods. A blended learning program combines e-learning and traditional learning methods. Blended learning can provide the convenience, speed and cost effectiveness of e-learning with the personal touch of traditional learning.”

Subjects:

Add new comment

Sponsored Links