4c) Using blogs as a core part of class activity

Sheila Webber (Information School)

Type:	Presentation
Time:	First Session (11:15 – 12:15)
Location:	Inox Conference Suite 3

 
What is this about?
 This session is about the use of student team blogs as a core part of class activity. A core class for Masters students in the iSchool (about 90 students this year, the majority international) has a computer lab as the base room. In week 1 students are divided into teams of 4 students, and each team creates a team blog (using Blogger), linked to a parent blog maintained by tutors (last year http://inf6350-2012.blogspot.co.uk/). The blogs are useful in several ways: 1) one of the module's learning objectives is to "be able to demonstrate their information literacy" which includes ability to communicate and use Web 2.0 applications such as blogs; 2) the blogs provide a focus and identity for teams, encouraging socialisation in a relatively large class; 3) the blogs are used to share reflections and information from class exercises in an easily accessible way; 4) Blogger features allow some creativity and customization, not possible e.g. in MOLE.
 
How will colleagues benefit?
They will get practical insight into managing the activity, into the benefits (e.g. in enabling learners from different cultures to identify resources from their own countries) and challenges (for example, the majority of students have not blogged before), and student perspectives on the use of blogs.