Educational Blogging Benefits

Blogging is a fun and engaging way to express your thoughts, ideas, and reflect on any number of topics. Blogs can turn learning into interactive experiences when learners read and respond to others. While some learners of all ages enjoy writing, others shy away from the task. Blogging can be a solution to foster writing skills for reluctant writers as it is seemingly less intimidating than more traditional forms of writing in classrooms. The ability to design a blog page, customize colors and graphics, and make changes anytime draw students in by tapping into their creativity and stylistic nature, making blog creation a more engaging form of writing compared to typing a Word document or writing on paper (American College of Education, 2022a).

Blogs also easily showcase the development of a student as they progress through the course, a school year, or longer. Blogs can be used as ePortfolios where learners keep track of their work in one place, allowing for reflection on growth and skill development throughout the process (American College of Education, 2022b). Reflecting on ideas and personal growth are powerful educational tools for learner development.

Many times, learning is a social activity. Learners develop and prosper when interacting with others, especially when they can be pushed and challenged by their peers. This concept is evidenced by Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. Learners are able to make meaning of and master concepts with the support and interaction with others who have slightly more knowledge and different experiences. This collaboration enables learners to engage and expand their understanding of concepts that may be out of their individual reach (Abdul Kadir & Tasir, 2020) Peer interaction can be less intimidating than facilitator interaction, especially when students are sharing problems or issues that they see or are having themselves. Blogging with peer interaction can be a useful tool for students to engage in problem solving and critical thinking skills when they discuss problems and propose possible solutions (Abdul Kadir & Tasir, 2020). These are not only educational skills but essential life skills that can be enhanced through blogging.

References

Abdul Kadir, N. I., & Tasir, Z. (2020). Students’ perceptions and information-sharing patterns in learning authoring system course through blogging. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(19), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i19.10950

American College of Education. (2022a). DL5763 Trends in instructional design: Module 1 [Part 3 presentation]. Canvas. https://ace.instructure.com/courses/2018748/external_tools/118428

American College of Education. (2022a). DL5763 Trends in instructional design: Module 1 [Part 4 presentation]. Canvas. https://ace.instructure.com/courses/2018748/external_tools/118428