How Different Is The learning experience between writing reflections using Weblogs and that of using a paper and pencil?

 

Learning, in today's context, is viewed differently. As in, due to the involvement of technology like weblogs, podcasts or online discussion forum, writing reflections have become wide-ranged. Writing reflections through weblogs is the 'discarding the pen' approach, in which learners are encouraged to add in diverse sources like images, videos, diagrams to express their thoughts and analysis on what they have learnt.

    Writing reflections on paper is the conventional way of recording reflections. Beneficial as it may seem, it is undeniable that reflection on paper could well suggest a more unilateral approach. Though reflection on paper would mean more privacy is given to the thoughts of the learner, particularly allowing the facilitator to view and provide relevant comments. This would also limit the insights the learner could gain. Reflection on paper too limits the amount of resources (video clips, images, diagrams, statistics, charts) that the learners could use. It may subject the student to only use words to express their analysis, thoughts or even substantiate themselves. It could put students who are not able to express themselves as well at a disadvantage.


    Learning experience is enhanced using weblogs due to the liberty given to students to write whatever they prefer online, to be able to share it with their peers or even the public to gain valuable opinions and comments from different perspectives. Writing reflections via weblogs increases the degree of interactivity between the blogger (learners) and the public. Their thoughts, analysis, thinking process could well be challenged by people from all walks of life.It too offers the opportunity for the learners to respond to the feedback, through this, it actually stimulates their thinking and provide a platform for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.


    Besides, learners could well keep track of their past reflections when reference their previous posts. In addition, blogs enables students and teachers to be actively participative in the knowledge sharing and discussion.Weblogs encourages learner autonomy as learners could constantly share and update their content knowledge and thereby too, gaining opinions from their peers online. An evaluation process would occur each time their views are being challenged. Writing reflections through weblogs allows students to learn to be technology savvy, to be able to substantiate their reflections with different tools online. Therein, not only providing a platform for them to share their learning process and knowledge gained, but also gaining technological skills.

This is a video on top 10 reasons why a weblog should be used in a classroom.