Blogs, representation and reflection

Created by Andrew Middleton (Sheffield Hallam University) on July 29, 2005

Catherine Howell's response to my question concerning the use of blogs as an e-Portfolio tool was fascinating and unexpected for me. Being fresh to the exploration of blogs to support learning, my focus had been on the formative opportunity that the technology appears to offer. The ease of use, the bite-sized reflection and the potential for peer support suggest a powerful tool for learning.
I had not yet considered the implications of capturing the immediacey of the reflective activity - how a process that primarily records the learning journey for the learner might be misconstrued by other travellers who come across evidence of that journey at a later date.
My original assumption was that the main opportunity for the learner was in the process of recording and receiving peer and tutor support. There is also value for the learner in reviewing their own progress over time.
I am not sure how important it is to consider blog entries as being representative of a person. When we read a blog don't we understand that the ideas are transient?

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		Blogs, representation and reflection Created by Andrew Middleton (Sheffield Hallam University) on July 29, 2005 Catherine Howell's response to my question concerning the use of blogs as an e-Portfolio tool was fascinating and unexpected for me. Being fresh to the exploration of blogs to support learning, my focus had been on the formative opportunity that the technology appears to offer. The ease of use, the bite-sized reflection and the potential for peer support suggest a powerful tool for learning. I had not yet considered the implications of capturing the immediacey of the reflective activity - how a process that primarily records the learning journey for the learner might be misconstrued by other travellers who come across evidence of that journey at a later date. My original assumption was that the main opportunity for the learner was in the process of recording and receiving peer and tutor support. There is also value for the learner in reviewing their own progress over time. I am not sure how important it is to consider blog entries as being representative of a person. When we read a blog don't we understand that the ideas are transient? Andrew's blog Login or register to post comments 3545 reads
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