Activity One

The Use of Social Network Tools in Teaching
I have considered a range of social networking tools that could be used in my teaching. While they all have pros and cons, I decided that Blogging is a versatile medium that can be used numerous ways in the classroom and for extension learning.
 

1.    What is a blog?
 

The word 'blog' comes from the combination of the words 'web' and 'log'. It often falls within the genre of the personal web page (Oravec, 2002), but you can find organizations with blogs as well. Blogs can be described as personal diaries; however, an individual’s blog can be "whatever you want it to be" (www.blogger.com, 2010).
 

The format of a blog allows individuals or groups of people to work together to produce 'posts' such as this one. The posts are displayed in chronological order with the newest post at the top. Older posts can also be archived, so as to not take up lots of space on the page. Archived posts can still be accessed through a link usually on the side of the main page.
 

Blogs provides the author(s) with the method of self expression and their 'voice' on the web. Blogger.com believes blogging is about more than just posting your thoughts and ideas on the web, but, is about connecting with others that read your blog. Blogs provide a means for the author and readers to connect through 'followers' and ' blogger comments'. These functions allow the reader to keep up to date with the blog (by being a follower) and engage directly with the blog and author (through comments).
 

Bloggers' are also able to let readers know about themselves through online profiles. This also allows you to read about other bloggers and followers. Blogs also allow more than just text. You are able to add photos, links and videos to your posts.

2.    Educational Uses and Advantages:

• Blogging in schools offers opportunities for students and teachers to interact, extend learning and increase discussion outside of the classroom on class topics (Mason & Rennie, 2008).
• Blogs provide numerous ways for educators to implement a blogs use, from a single class blog, to group blogs, or individual blogs, to the possibility of a mixture of all three. A blog can also be set up to for a variety of tasks such as personal journals of students (groups or the class), bulletin boards, e-portfolios, just to name a few uses (Weiler, 2003).
• Students are also afforded the opportunity to connect with like minded people and experts in the field.
• Blogging provides an environment for sharing and gathering information. Linking other sources to the class blog or their individual blog allows other to access the same information and can reduce plagiarism.
• Blogging can provide quieter students with a means of expression and a voice in the class.
• Blogging provides a means for students to organize and discuss ideas.
• Blogging can support students writing and communication skills. It also provides support and extension of key learning points (Mason & Rennie, 2008).
• The ability to restrict access to the blog using privacy controls will enable to provide greater protection to students and privacy for speaking more freely.
• Free access to blogging software online ensures that students and schools are able to use this technology without further funding.
• Class Blogs would allow students to discuss more freely and in more depth class topics.
• Students would be afforded more freedom of learning and be empowered to learn.
• Students may be able to use blogs to assist in compiling or present research and assessment tasks in a new medium. It would also allow a stage for students to work on group activities outside of the classroom and school.
• Blogs could allow parents of students to be more involved in student education and the lessons in the classroom. Parental interaction could provide positive feedback and discussion as well as assisting students to understand the relevance of classroom lessons to 'real life' situations.
• Students would be able to get feedback from peers and educators as well as interested persons about their topic, writing or assessment tasks which they may post on an individual or group blog.
• A blog may provide an efficient way for students who misses class (due to illness, sporting or other commitments) to catch up on work and know what happened in class while they were away.

3.    Constraints and Disadvantages.

• Most blogs are public unless access settings are altered. Student safety would need to be considered, especially in the event that individual students were to set up accounts and blogs. Students would need to be trained in the appropriate use of blogs and be made aware of the severity of safety concerns (Oravec, 2002).
• Effectiveness of blogs to enhance learning over other forms of communication is debatable (Mason & Rennie, 2008).
• A lack of attention to updates and the use of blogs would result in a lack of engagement and feedback from students. 
• A class blog would require greater commitment from the classroom teacher in upkeep and moderation.
• Students may not engage and simply sit back while other students provide feedback and input. However the implementation of individual blogs may overcome this problem. The use of blog related assessment tasks activities would also encourage students to engage with blogging activities.
• Some institutions may have blogging sites blocked. It may be possible to download blogging software for use on an intranet rather than internet blogging. This would, however, limit feedback from experts and interested people as well as limit student’s exposure to expert blogs on the internet.
• Students will need strong motivation to contribute and engage with the blog.
• Students would need training in the use and safety of using blogs. Especially with regard to online and personal safety.