Weblogs: learning in public
Abstract
Purpose
Seeks to exemplify and discuss how students’ use of weblogs can prepare them for a networked world where writing has consequences outside grades.
Design/methodology/approach
Experiences using weblogs with university students are critically discussed with reference to related theoretical and practice‐based work.
Findings
While many students were wary at first, the experience of writing in public provided an important learning opportunity, and many of the most skeptical became enthusiastic and proficient webloggers during the course of the semester.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical data are from a single course and therefore limited.
Practical implications
Students should practice writing in public and on the network, yet ethical issues must be considered.
Originality/value
An increasing number of teachers and professors are using weblogs with students. In addition to a critical discussion of the ethics and pedagogical value of weblogging, this paper gives educators specific advice on how to encourage students to use their weblogs actively and productively.
Keywords
Citation
Walker, J. (2005), "Weblogs: learning in public", On the Horizon, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 112-118. https://doi.org/10.1108/10748120510608142
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited