Using blogs to enhance a dialogical approach to learning in higher education

• This paper focuses on how the use of blogs can be seen to enhance a dialogicalapproach to learning in a higher education setting. Blogs have been in use ineducational settings for several years (see, for example, Williams & Jacobs,2004). Sixty-three students participated in the practice of writing blogs open forall students to read as assignments in which students were also expected to writecomments in the blogs of other students. The blogs were analysed through atransactional approach to dialogue using the ICE (Ideas, Connections, andExtension) model of Fostaty Young and Wilson, (2000) and Fostaty Young(2005) as a way of assessing students learning. The preliminary analysis indicatesthat students initially primarily express ideas in their comments, towards anincreased use of connections. This is discussed in the paper as an indication thatthe use of blogs support and enhance a dialogical approach to learning, eventhough their use seems to differ between different assignments and study groups.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Pedagogik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Pedagogy (hsv//eng)

Keyword

blogs

higher education

learning

technology-enhanced learning

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)