Another Take on Using a Blog for Class Notes: Student-Maintained Reflection Pages
Continuing on yesterday's theme of using a blog for a class notes page, I want to discuss another way that this could work. Yesterday I wrote about a notes page that was maintained mostly by a professor or an assigned TA. Students were involved by each taking a turn to write up the notes for the day as well as post a "main highlights" entry. Today I want to discuss a different take on a notes page--student-maintained reflection pages.
This type of blog would be managed by each individual student. The purpose would be to have a place to post their course notes or reflections as they take shape. The professor could set up a main class page and create a tag for the student's to use. Then students can visit the main page, be able to take a look at everyone's postings, and visit particular blogs to comment should they choose to do so. Using the blogs in this manner really makes the learning a student-centered and student-maintained activity.
A blog used for notes purposes doesn't just have to be tailored to a specific class or learning activity either. We are currently working with the Schreyer Honors College on a project that is similar to what I've described, yet not for a particular course. Dean Brady's post explains things in greater depth but basically he's hoping to get a group of first-year students together to start blogs that they can then maintain throughout their years here at Penn State. More details will be worked out in a meeting next week but the idea is to have these students feel like they have a place to reflect, post pictures, engage, and grow while completing their studies, various activities, and programs such as a study abroad or an internship.
It's going to be very interesting to meet first with Dr. Brady and then with students and staff alike to see how this pans out from the start at the most basic level. I think it has the potential to be a really great tool in advancing engagement along with personal growth.
Continuing on yesterday's theme of using a blog for a class notes page, I want to discuss another way that this could work. Yesterday I wrote about a notes page that was maintained mostly by a professor or an assigned TA. Students were involved by each taking a turn to write up the notes for the day as well as post a "main highlights" entry. Today I want to discuss a different take on a notes page--student-maintained reflection pages.
This type of blog would be managed by each individual student. The purpose would be to have a place to post their course notes or reflections as they take shape. The professor could set up a main class page and create a tag for the student's to use. Then students can visit the main page, be able to take a look at everyone's postings, and visit particular blogs to comment should they choose to do so. Using the blogs in this manner really makes the learning a student-centered and student-maintained activity.
A blog used for notes purposes doesn't just have to be tailored to a specific class or learning activity either. We are currently working with the Schreyer Honors College on a project that is similar to what I've described, yet not for a particular course. Dean Brady's post explains things in greater depth but basically he's hoping to get a group of first-year students together to start blogs that they can then maintain throughout their years here at Penn State. More details will be worked out in a meeting next week but the idea is to have these students feel like they have a place to reflect, post pictures, engage, and grow while completing their studies, various activities, and programs such as a study abroad or an internship.
It's going to be very interesting to meet first with Dr. Brady and then with students and staff alike to see how this pans out from the start at the most basic level. I think it has the potential to be a really great tool in advancing engagement along with personal growth.
Insightful. Practical. Useful. Plus, a link to another useful blog to follow. What a blast of fresh air. Thanks Cramer.