23 November, 2010

Does blogging make better teachers, nurses, managers?

Andy Carvin's learning now blog on a screen at National School Boards Conference
I’ve just started following someone widely regarded as a bit of an e-learning guru: Stephen Downes.   The first email update I received inspired me enough to create this posting.

Stephen pointed me to a post by Dean Shareski:
“ … suggesting that the way to make better teachers is to get them to blog.”
I’ve just read the article – perhaps something to consider across all professional courses at Edge Hill?  (Can I can hear ethical alarm bells ringing!?)

Comments sought, kindest regards,

David
Image by Steve Rhodes

1 comment:

Ray Tolley said...

Hi, Peter,

Yes, blogging can be a most effective way of begining to open up teaching and learning.

I have introduced blogging to groups of teachers who worked together in their departments. But the howls of laughter, the now ideas and information shared were quite an eye-opener to these teachers.

I then push home the punch-line that if it was so enjoyable an experience for that group of teachers, why not encourage groups of students to enjoy their learning in the same way.

Admittedly this blogging with inexperienced students needs managing. Firstly, the teachers need to be familiar with a range of blogging techniques. Groundrules, or an AUP, need to be established. It certainly needs some monitoring in the early days.

BUT, having acquired blogging skills... that is only the begining of the story. The whole concept of a collaborative society points to the use of ePortfolios as a major extension of the blogging mentality.