Technology (blogger) and the affordance of learning

After researching and reviewing all the features of blogger, I have discovered I have not really used it to the full potential in this course to facilitate and construct my own learning.  Although there are different pedagogies shared in our group, the thoughts and ideas are similar.

The following YouTube clip was pushed into my blogger account, by simply sharing.  This technology allows learners to easily insert YouTubes into their blog, with minimal effort.  Learners decide how they will use this information.



Blogs have opened up the opportunity for constructive learning as not only is the facilitator the provider of information, but the learners also become the suppliers of information, they can decide what content they want to add to their learning experience. Learners may also use the links and information that their peers have added to their learning.

Blogs increase learner motivation as most people learn by engaging in a topic, rather than listening to a lecture.  Students can view artefacts in their own time, and have the chance to reflect on the presentation before they respond. This enables a deeper level of thinking, as learners have time to analyse and hypothesis on content. They construct their own knowledge, connect with other learners, conceptualise their thnking and reflect on their own learning.

Some ideas for using blogs in 21st century pedagogy are:

• enables learners to have other learners critic their assignments before they submit 
• facilitator guides learner on their story-telling journey, commenting, hinting, redirecting when needed
• knowledge is constructed as learners add information, weblinks, images, audio, video to a problem based enquiry
• authentic learning is achieved as learners collaboratively work together to problem solve
• artefacts can be embedded or linked from SlideShare.

The technology and affordances were based on a WHS course.

Features of the technology	Affordances (activities and practice)	Affordances (examples of pedagogy and designs)
Ability to add comments to artefacts, images, videos	Feedback can be provided from learners and facilitators in regards to artefacts at a level, attached to specific aspects or points of the object itself. Chance for feedback on related work prior to formal assessment	Collaborative (working in groups to construct knowledge): Using a post to start the initial stages of a discussion (eg a YouTube clip of WHS hazards in a workplace) and asking learners to review their workplace or working environment they are familiar with and comment on similarities in their own workplace Conceptual (developing higher order thinking skills: eg hypothesis, analysis): Predict, observe and evaluate design: Upload an artefact and ask learners to think about what they have just seen and comment on what they believe is going to happen next in the story.  Once responses received, add the next artefact enabling learners to enhance their original thoughts. Construct their knowledge of a given topic from information of other learners and bloggers. Story-telling – the facilitator adds an artefact, learners build a storyline around the artefact adding to each comment.
Ability to post asynchronous comments related to other comments	Communities of learners can see and respond to the cumulative postings and ‘collective wisdom’
Ability to control who can comment on your blog; anyone, registered user, user with Google account or only members of the blog.	Comments can be managed by the facilitator and/or learner and is relevant to the content.
Ability to add a transliteration option? A button is added to the toolbar for converting words from English to the selected language.	Promotes collaboration from ESL learners who can translate and view as well as respond to postings and comments.
Following widget connects with learners and bloggers of same interest.	Feedback from other learners and sharing of information. Learning from other learners and/or bloggers.
Learning is independent of time and place.	All learners can post, comment and provide feedback can be at a time that suits them.
Full discussion is captured in one post.	The entire learning conversation can be capture in one post through the use of comments.
Blogging helps improve critical thinking skills.	Promotes reflective learning as learners are forced to reflectct on their learning.