March
2008
Journal extinction.0
Source: Flickr
“Where did my writer go?”
Blogging has given me such mixed feelings since I first started e-learning. At first I pondered over how on earth it could be used for educational purposes, but after watching an interview with Kathy Cassidy and reading “All the World’s a Stage: Teaching Through Online Journals” by Sarah Fallon (2005), I can see how blogs can provide many more opportunities for students and teachers. There are so many advantages, such as the ability to publicly showcase written work when the only way to do that with a journal is to make hundreds of physical copies. Assignments and essays can be accessed in the comfort of one’s own home, and parents can have the ability to visit their child’s page and comment! It’s not often parents are seen commenting on their child’s journal.
There is still a price, though. If the teacher posts worksheets or assignments primarily on their blog, what about the children without computers? Computers are becoming much more common these days, but there are still homes without them. What’s more, some might break down or otherwise be unavailable when a child needs them. Some children might be disadvantaged to such technological advances.
Granted, I’m saying this now in the year 2008. Maybe in ten years time computers will be as common to any Australian household as a refrigerator or telephone. The world is changing…And for those curious about the interview with Kathy Cassidy, here’s the youtube video! Enjoy!
