Blogging in Education

What is Web 2.0?
A web 2.0 is anything associated with web applications that make sharing information interactively possible. The general design of web 2.0 programs are user-centered. There are many different examples of web 2.0 applications. Some include YouTube,flickr, blogs, pod casts, wikis, and photo sharing programs. Teachers use these types of applications for things such as promoting their districts and efforts towards improvement as well as to share calendars with parents, fellow teachers, and students. Web 2.0 encourages new ways of learning and communicating for both teachers and students.



Why should teachers know about it?
Teachers should know about web 2.0 for various reasons. One reason is because students are already professionals when it comes to web 2.0 applications and therefore teachers should be too to keep up with them. Another reason is because digital literacy is a 21st century skill and is very much a part of the culture. When teachers use web 2.0 applications, they are enhancing the learning for their students. From using web 2.0, students and teachers can interact, enhance, morph, and create
information that can be shared with others.





What is a Blog?
A blog is a web 2.0 application designed for the purpose of individual self-expression. They are great for sharing and focusing on a particular subject. They are also great for professional development and cross-curricular lesson planning. They help to share both personal and professional news.



Why should every teacher have one?
Teachers should have blogs because they are great for showing information such as things happening in the classroom, assignments, and general information on a subject. They also are great for students to have so teachers can look at their work online and see the comments they have made on their own blogs and comments they have made on others'. Another reason teachers should have a blog is so they can share strategies and materials with fellow colleagues as well as viewing their strategies and materials.



What are the pedagogical implications of a student driven blog?Students use blogs to post their assignments for teachers to grade. They also use them to post information for other students to review and then critique. Sometimes their information is professional and sometimes it is personal. Students generally use blogging as a way of self expression.



What are the pedagogical implications of a teacher driven blog?Teachers use blogs to share information regarding things going on in the classroom, assignments, and information on a certain subject. They also use it as a means of communication with both their fellow colleagues and their students. Unlike their students, teachers main reasons for creating/having blogs are for educational purposes and not so much personal.