Our discussions on adult learning
begin with technology, and more specifically, blogging. First let’s consider the definition
blog [blawg, blog]
noun
a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc.,and often having images and links to other Web sites.
a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc.,and often having images and links to other Web sites.
Origin:
1995–2000; shortening of Weblog
1995–2000; shortening of Weblog
blog. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved
September 11, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/blog
They key for application in
adult learning is that blogs by nature contain the “opinions, viewpoints, or
even narrations of their experiences.” (Santos,
2011) Blogs have become a new means of communication online that have replaced
many other forms of messaging. What we really want to discuss however, are the
pros and cons for the adult learner.
I think we all come to the classroom,
whether face to face or online, with a preconceived idea about the setting and
what we are allowed to express. Our past experiences have affected how we see
and experience learning. Sometimes that means what happens in our classrooms can
be limited by past formality. One benefit of blogging for adult learning would be
the ease with which people can express their own opinions. Blogs by nature deal
with opinion, and the seeming lack of structure or formality online are
conducive to that relaxing of classroom inhibitions.
Another benefit is accessibility.
Everyone who has access to a computer and the Internet can have a voice, though
accessibility can also be a problem for those with economic limitations or even
issues of location.
One of the drawbacks of blogging
for adults can also be based on past experiences with technology. If people are
comfortable with technology, blogging can come easily. If they struggle because
of bad learning experiences, adults might give up and not even choose to try a
new concept. The learning curve for some adults can be also be considerable. One
thing that has helped me deal with that learning curve is a conscious decision
to stay current technologically. I have chosen to get involved with several
social media sites simply to keep up with my teenagers and to understand what
they are using. It’s great to have them help me when I struggle with something and
it opens doors for conversations that we might not otherwise have. Shelbie
Witte discusses this as she showed in her Talkback Project (Witte, 2007). Students interacted with adults
on a blog site allowing for the transmission of learning for both sides,
including the participation by a parent deployed overseas with their child in
class.
Another drawback of blogging in
general and the ability to express personal opinions with ease, is the fact
that blogging can put one on a world stage. Most of the time blogging can be a
personal outlet that while people know that their words are going out for the
entire world to see, they don’t really think about the entire world seeing it.
Recently one blogger expressed some controversial opinions on what she felt was a
small audience of friends and family. (You can read that here) Someone shared
her post and it went viral with thousands of views and thousands of comments
some encouraging and some really taking her to task for her views. Her post
spawned dozens of responses in other blogs (two of which you can read here and
here). People definitely need to consider what they say before posting in a
blog setting either in a learning environment or not. It is great that this blogger used her voice to express her opinion, but with the opportunity to use your voice can come others using theirs!
Overall I think blogs, particularly
those used in adult learning settings, open doors for learning. People express
themselves in ways they might not normally in a classroom setting and absorb
information in ways that can be different and new. What do you think?
Santos, A. N. (2011).
Blogs As A Learning Space: Creating Text of Talks. Contemporary Issues in
Education Research , 4 (6), 15-19.
Witte, S. (2007).
"That's online writing not boring school writing": Writing with blogs
and the Talkback Project. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy ,
51 (2), 92-96.
Hi Dianna:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog posting. Your statements about authentic voice really captured my attention. As you stated, "People definitely need to consider what they say before posting in a blog setting either in a learning environment or not. It is great that this blogger used her voice to express her opinion, but with the opportunity to use your voice can come others using theirs!" The issue of aggressive blogging and flaming are major concerns in the blogosphere. In fact, certain positions and opinions have led to some individuals committing cybercrimes such as cyberstalking and cyberbullying (Dardick, La Roche, & Flanigan, 2007). Thank you for highlighting this important issue.
~Aja
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References
Dardick, G.S., La Roche, C.R., & Flanigan, M. A. (2007, December). Blogs: Anti-forensics and counter anti-forensics. Originally published in the Proceedings of the 5th Australian Digital Forensics Conference, Edith Cowan University, Perth Western Australia. Retrieved from http://ro.ecu.edu.au/adf/21/
Thanks Aja,
DeleteIts crazy to think of the new issues we deal with everyday because of the internet. Many are great issues to have,especially in terms of accessibility of information, but your point about some of the problems we encounter is a good one. The fact that real crime can be caused by cyberspace issues is a little frightening.
Hi Dianna:
DeleteI agree it is a little frightening; however, I am not too worried because the only blogs I have done so far have been academic blogs for my school coursework (Essid,2010; Madrigal, 2013). These type of blogs while having the potential to draw varied audience members do not seem to draw the identity thieves and cyber-hackers. I have one blog which is close to hitting the 4000 mark in terms of viewership with no negative ramifications.
Now that the 1st week of blogging is over, what did you find the most engaging in completing this learning activity. In addition, if you had one pearl of wisdom to share with a novice blogger, what would that advice be?
~Aja
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References
Essid, J. (2010, May/June). Effective academic blogging. Retrieved from http://writing2.richmond.edu/writing/wweb/blogging.html
Madrigal, A.C. (2013, April 12). The best academic blogs. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/04/the-best-academic-blogs/274954/
Hi Dianna,
ReplyDeleteI think you made some great points about the pros and cons of blogging in your post. One point you made that caught my attention was about accessibility. I think for many of us we just assume that technology, and specifically the Internet, is accessible to all. Although, I do think this is true for the most part, it is important when working with adult learners to recognize this could be an issue.
I teach online courses and many of my students are adult learners. Over the years I have had numerous experiences where my students were not able to complete their work or access the course due to issues with accessing a computer or the internet. These issues were at times due to financial restraints, and others because of transportation or location issues. I also found, as you mentioned can occur, that many adult learners struggle when introduced to new technology. Although we are living in a world that seems to think "the more technology the better!", I think it is still important for us to keep in mind possible limitations that students may be facing.
I really hadn't thought about accessibility when I started taking classes Amanda. Last year though, I lived far enough in the country that we had satellite internet and I learned a new appreciation for being able to log on from the comforts of home instead of traveling to a public venue to work on assignments.
DeleteI also found this article on The Chronicle of Higher Education that I thought was interesting and relatable to our discussion!
ReplyDeletehttp://chronicle.com/article/Cal-States-Strong-Push-for/125683/
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteDianna,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and nice template / layout! The point I really can relate to the most if the setback that blogging is so accessible to all. We have so many issues at work and with our prehospital colleagues about posting comments or pictures on social media sites, such as Facebook; even when those posts do not have any identifying characteristics (no names, faces, locations, details), these posts can lead to big problems because it is certainly amazing how "a friend of a friend of a friend" sees this, gets offended for whatever reason, and reports this to whatever company it is. We have to really set strict rules for our students when they start our programs about this behavior. Much like that, but even worse is the fact that blogging literally is accessible to all. We are all given our right to free speech and creative expression, just with the understanding that so is everyone else.
Amanda,
I enjoyed that article. It was definitely interesting and relatable! You know I honestly had not given much thought to certain handicapped students and the disadvantages they experience with technology! It brings up a good point.
Thanks again Dianna for the nicely-written post.
Kayla I can't even imagine the issues social media can cause for those in the medical arena. It seems that those places could be a minefield for HIPAA violations, let alone dealing with even sanitized postings about others. How do you keep track as the whether or not your students follow guidelines?
DeleteHi Dianna,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your insight into blogging! In your blog you mentioned that “one benefit of blogging for adult learning would be the ease with which people can express their own opinions. Blogs by nature deal with opinion, and the seeming lack of structure or formality online are conducive to that relaxing of classroom inhibitions”. When in an adult learning environment, would you agree that blogs also allow for more ill-researched thoughts versus researched, fact-based empirically evidenced essays? Witte (2007) said that when he used blogs for educational purposes that “many insightful discussions and text connection grew from the blog” (p. 94). I also wonder how well researched the discussions are.
Karyn
Wittle, S. (2007). That's online writing, not boring school writing: Writing with blogs and the Talkback Project. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 51(2), 92-96. (PDF) (Open in new window)
Karyn, I am replying to your comments in the next blog post. I wanted to attach a video which pokes fun at the exact problem you mention!
Delete