I am interested in starting a discussion on some of the literature and research background we might need to extend our knowledge and build on the work we do with portfolios and the new reflective work we are now doing with blogging.
Just after we started the conversation around starting a group blog I received an article on blogging and education from ASCD. I am wondering if we can use this vehicle (blogging) for text-based discussions via the World Wide Web. As a group we can read the same articles and cite the text and our comments just as we would if we were in a group. This could have greater implications for coming to a common understanding in the group and possibly in the greater Critical Friends context. People outside our group will add to the discussions through the comments section and hopefully, will create a richer dialogue for building on our practices as teachers, researchers, and change agents.
Article: Blogging and Benefiting: Teachers Go Hi-Tech to Share Tips and Strategies
Education Update February 2005 Spreading the Word
(ASCD newsletter) Volume 47, Number 2, February 2005.
Comments (3)
I think that attempting a text-based discussion on the blog is certainly worth a try. A blog can capture and preserve a conversation and reach a wider audience. However, I've found that most conversation unfold better in real time instead of being stilted by a blog's format.
Maybe our group could experiment with audio blogs. We could record a discussion that we have in person, post highlights of it to the blog, and still solicit comments to enlarge the conversation.
Posted by Donna | March 12, 2005 12:54 AM
Posted on March 12, 2005 00:54
While I was searching online for the article that Michaelann mentioned, I ran across an article called "ASCILITE 2004: Farmer--discussion boards, weblogs and communities of inquiry in online learning environments." It discusses how blogs might better enable the formation of "a community of inquiry."
We should also be asking ourselves, "Is the discourse reflective, critical, and purposeful?"
Posted by Donna | March 12, 2005 1:19 PM
Posted on March 12, 2005 13:19
Donna -
I will bring you a copy for your educational purposes to the next portfolio meeting. I think this area of inquiry is very fresh and new - I hope others will join into our new journey. I am going to make a point of checking the site twice a week and posting a new reflection each week.
Michaelann
Posted by Michaelann | March 13, 2005 10:57 AM
Posted on March 13, 2005 10:57