BLOGGER || WEEK 5

I have been using Blogger since several years ago (probably when I was 13). At first, I just created it as my online diary, as I was too lazy to write manually. Writing is such a therapeutic method for me to express myself as it was hard for me to do so in my life. I do realize that repressing your feelings is unhealthy. Hence, writing is my only escape and I've chosen Blogger as my platform to express my feelings and thoughts. You can click HERE to check out my blog. (ps/ i haven't updated my blog for so long hihi)

However, I didn't know that the functions are far beyond than that. One of the functions is it is one of the Web 2.0 platforms that can be used as a teaching and learning tool.

What is Blogger?

Blogger is a free blogging platform that is designed for ease. It is owned by Google. Therefore, users can link it to various other Google products, like photo-sharing site Picasa and social network Google+. Using the basic blog design options, you can get a new blog up and running in just less than 10 minutes. The simplicity of Blogger doesn't limit what more skilled users can achieve with it. However, going through deeper into the customization possibilities allows us to create a completely unique blog design while maintaining the ease of use that the Blogger has provided.

How to get started? 

You can use Blogger with just a few steps! If you already have a Google account (gmail address), you just have to go to blogger.com and activate Blogger on your account. If you don't have a Google account, you'll need to make one. From there, you can optionally link your Blogger blog to your Google+ account, or create a "limited profile" that will let you blog anonymously without being linked back to your identity via Google+. Other Google products that are integrated with Blogger, such as Picasa or Google AdSense, will automatically be linked to your blog.

The default Blogger setting is for Google to host your blog for free. It will have a URL based on the name you choose for the blog with the following format: [name of your blog].blogspot.com. So if you created a blog called "I Love Baking," the web address would be ilovebaking.blogspot.com. For a small registration fee, you can register your own domain so that your blog will appear at www.[name of your blog].com – and Google will still host your blog for free. Google makes this process quite simple. You can also use another host for your Blogger blog; this process is a bit more complicated, but Google offers step-by-step instructions.

I have attached a video where I explained on how to use Blogger as a teaching and learning tool. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Why as a Teaching and Learning tool?

EDUCATORS :

Blogger has many advantages to teachers. Firstly, teachers can easily post resources, lessons, and homework assignments instantly anytime. Especially it is not difficult to use. It is also easier for the teachers to keep parents up-to-date on class happenings as it is an effective two-way communication between home and school. Through commenting, families can be a part of what is happening in the classroom and have real time access to their child’s education. Educators can open the comment sections on blog posts to get feedback from parents and the community as well as to create discussion between students

Furthermore, teachers can also reflect on their own teaching practices and share their ideas with other educators. Blogging can be a great way to incorporate regular reflection into the classroom program.  This is due to the fact that some teachers like to allow this to happen naturally, while others scaffold the reflective process with prompts. Perhaps striving to make your prompts redundant at some stage is a good aim! Other than that, blogs can keep teachers' virtual world well organised (and they’re searchable!). Teachers can keep their blogs going year after year. In that way, it’s a great way to keep track of their thoughts, creations, and  learning. A blog can also be used as evidence of student learning over time. It’s like a digital filing cabinet!

STUDENTS :

Not only that, Blogger also has many advantages towards the students. It is easier for the students to 

refer to any notes or assignments instantly anytime. The students can also share schoolwork with their peers, parents, and others. They only need the access to connect with each other. Moreover, students will get more excited to learn as the learning materials are more interesting with the addition of more graphics and different feautures. Other than that, it also allows students to express and hone their creativity. This can turn a boring paper into a fun creative process. This is due to the fact that blogging always need to use creativity to develop unique and original content, solve problems, express their perspective and personality visually trough custom themes, headers, layouts, designs, and pictures and respond to their follower’s feedback and comments. Last but not least, it helps to sharpen the brain's performance. Many specialists talk about the phenomenon of how daily writing (content, thoughts, experiences, fantasies, or anything you want) improves and sharpens your brain’s performance.

In a nutshell, I strongly believe that Blogger is one of the great platforms of Web 2.0 that can be used as a teaching and learning tool. It is easy to use and accessible for everyone. Teachers and students can interact and provide feedback immediately, in which it promotes discussion among students. It also promotes autonomous learning by providing opportunities for students to take more control of their learning. All in all, blogging can provide a really diverse learning experience for teachers and students. Happy blogging!