Williams,+J.+B.,+&+Jacobs,+J.+Exploring+the+use+of+blogs+as+learning+spaces+in+the+higher+education+sector

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology 2004, 20(2), 232-247

**Abstract**
'Blogging' - a contraction of the term 'web logging' -is perhaps described as a form of micro-publishing. Easy to use, from any Internet connection point, bloggins has become firmly established as a web based communications tool. The blogging pnenomenon has evolved from its early origin as a medium for the publication of simple, online personal diaries, to the latest disruptive technology, the 'killer app' that has the capacity to engage people in collaborative activity, knowledge sharing, reflection and debat (Hiler, 2003.) Many blogs have large and dedicated readerships, and blog clusters have formed linking fellow bloggers in accordance with their common interest. (232)

This paper explores the potential of blos as learning spaces for students in the higher education sector. It refers to the nascent literature on the subject, explores methods for using blogs for educational purposes in university courses(eg. Harvard Law School), and records the experience of the Brisbane Graduate School of Business at Queensland Univeristy of Technolody, with its 'MBA blog'. The paper concludes that blogging has the potential to be a transformational technolody for teaching and learning. (232)

**Argument**
Williams and Jacobs discusses the use of blogging as a pedagogical tool in the universities. The authors argue that students learn better and more apt to be willing to learn in a more collaborative environment. Blogging provides a forum where individuals can express themselves and their "character" in a commonplace where there are common interests.

**Key Passages**
Now firmly established as a web based communications tool, with an estimated number of users in excess of one million (Bryant, 2003), blogs have emerged from early email lists and instant messaging communities as a means of informing a dedicated reader base about items of interest to the authors, news, and personal information. (233)

The chief purpose of this paper is to comment, critically, on the potential for blogs as 'learning spaces' for students within the higher education sector. (234)

In addition to commenting on the advantages of using a tool that serves as an online journal encouraging personal reflection, and as a means for encouraging collaboration through the sharing of links to resources and up to date information, Oravec (2002, p. 618) observes that the blog has many dimensions that are suited to students' 'unique voices', empowering them, and encouraging them to become more critically analytical in their thinking.(234)

A number of universities round the world have commenced with the use of blogging tools including, for example, the University of Iowa, Rice University and Harvard University. (235)

To support this, Allen (2002) has argued that by observing the behaviours of participants in a computer mediated community, 'lurkers' can become familiar with the ways of participating and overcome fears. Indeed, Nonnecke & Preece (2001) maintain that lurking is an imperative aspect of an online community and should be regarded as a form of passive or vicarious participation that not only serves to increase the understanding in the lurker, but provides a sense of belonging regardless of whether they ever intend to participate. (237)

Students have long learned as much from each other as they have from an instructor or a textbook - it's just a question of finding an apporpriate vehicle for facilitating this learning. (240)

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