Blogging and Education

Over the past five years blogging has become an alternate source of information and opinion, which can be accessed all around the world instantly. Once upon a time, opinion pieces were only found in newspapers and on the news, but now there are more blogs and bloggers online than we could count. From what used to be a nerdy approach online, it has transformed into one of the most popular ways to express thoughts in a public form.

Judy Robertson’s article “The educational affordances of blogs for self-directed learning” discusses the educational advantages when it comes to online blogging and self-learning. It enables students to take control of their education, discussing ideas with other peers and teachers as well as potentially assisting in assignments, tips for studying etc.

The use of blogs is a great platform for students whether they be at a secondary or tertiary level of education, whether they are unsure of information or don’t completely understand their teachers, this gives them a level to explore where similar peers may be feeling the same way or be able to assist. The freedom it gives students and teachers with self-directed learning enables those whom really want to get the most out of their education the proper opportunity.

On a global level blogging has really changed the way that information can be expressed and projected around the world. Whether it be at an educational standard, political or simply personal opinion, these views can be broadcasted to a wider audience at the click of a few buttons and accessed almost anywhere around the world.

Robertson, J. 2011 ‘The educational affordances of blog for self-directed learning’, Computers and Education, vol. 57, pp. 1628 – 1644.