The Internet is everywhere. From the classroom to our personal lives, the Web is the thing of the future and will continuously grow. But how far is too far?
Most colleges have online classes and you never have to face a teacher. But is bringing the Internet, specifically the weblog, into the classroom a good idea? The weblog or more commonly known as a blog can be used to display a multitude of items.
Over 34 percent of people consider blogging as a form of journalism.From opening your own video weblog, or vblog, to a photo weblog, or photoblog, the blog is being integrated into the worlds of everyone who knows about it. Even the corporate world use blogs in their daily work days. Over 34 percent of people consider blogging as a form of journalism. Blogging allows anyone to be their own journalist and get their opinions out into the open. For me, it is a way of venting to the world, but that doesn't mean it should be in classes.
Maybe it would be a good idea to incorporate blogs into the classroom for a more centralized environment where students and teachers can communicate and post their opinions freely. Blogs can be used in so many different ways, which considering the advancement of technology, blogging could be the next form of an online classroom.
But honestly, I do not believe having a blog as a requirement would be a good idea for the classroom. I believe it makes the classroom feel more impersonal and would encourage students to lag in the class.
Blogging in the classroom is on a rise whether we want it or not. It is the next big thing and we can either go with the flow or resist the current; I guess we'll have to wait and see which way it goes.
Comments
Bridget commented, on February 3, 2008 at 5:27 p.m.:
I think it is a little ridiculous that 34 percent of people see blogging as a form or journalism. I think it is hard work to become a journalist and blogging just reminds me of diary entries, not news. But good article Jewell.
Anonymouse commented, on February 6, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.:
There are many reputable news blogs--some in which the blogger participates and comments on the entry, and others in which he or she just posts links about news stories (from sites like Reuters, AP, or BBC) that he or she finds interesting and wants to share. I use blogs in conjunction with BBC News because they usually specialize on topics that many mainstream outlets don't focus as much on, like science and technology.
There's also a huge difference between a news or professional blog and personal blog.
Is it really surprising that some people consider blogging as a (new) form of journalism when blogs have exposed some mainstream media outlets for reporting false stories? LGF was one of the big ones who questioned the authenticity Killian Documents and exposed them as being fabricated: http://www.littlegreenfootballs.com/webl...
But back OT, I think the author is right--a blogging requirement for a class seems a little unnecessary. I like it as a way to communicate or continue discussions outside of class, but there's no need to require students to blog *for* a class (unless it's a class about blogging...)
Kelly commented, on February 6, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.:
Blogging as a form of journalism? Most journalists sign their names to their work while most bloggers use screen names. The anonymity of screen names allows writers to be more contentious, untruthful and downright rude than they might otherwise be if their identities were known. Do we need this in the classroom?
Jessica commented, on February 7, 2008 at 3:33 p.m.:
I would love a class blog for continuation of class discussions. It would be optional but it would allow students to discuss and professors to explain in-depth concepts and topics that they didn't get to cover adequately during class-time. A written forum for discussion would give students a greater opportunity for participation due to the little bit of anonymity that it would provide. Even if they had to post with their real names (which I think should be a requirement for a class), they wouldn't have to deal with having everyone stare at them and being constrained to an amount of time to communicate their ideas--they could think about a topic and come back to it in a few hours.
I think a lot of the comments here display a myopic view of blogging. Many bloggers use their real names, and many present information in an intelligent, unbiased way. There's a huge difference between a blogger and someone who uses a myspace blog to gossip. To say that all bloggers are the same would be akin to equating the quality of high school newspapers with the New York Times.
Like any piece of written information, you have to think critically and consider the writer's point of view in order to evaluate the validity and authenticity of a source or article. If you know where to start, you can find many good, reputable blogs to use as a source for both news and commentary. And if used properly, I think blogs could be used effectively as a supplement to classroom discussion.