Blogging? In Education?

I've blogged. You've blogged. If you haven't, you will one day. Then you will stop. Much like everyone's first days with e-mail, everyone will explore the potential of the technology by propagating repetitive and useless information until the novelty of the application wears off. Unlike e-mail, the practical uses of blogging are not as obvious. Even as online communication technologies seem to be surpassing simple blogging, most blog authors still struggle to shape their creations into an effective media.

So where does blogging fit into education? There is little doubt that students currently in school have had some experience with blogging. I am also quite certain that all have produced reams of content without questioning the purpose of the material. Here is an opportunity to introduce to students a way to present their ideas in a meaningful and focused manner. Having students develop a blog with some direction will teach students how to use the technology to effectively manage and present information. It will allow them to take a critical look at which data and the media used to present it is relevant.

Blogging provides a unique opportunity to expand on communication skills beyond those which would have been provided in only the English class of my generation. I look forward to enjoying following much superior blogs in the future.