Original picture:From left: Ana, Esa and Mela

What is a blog?

A blog is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called “blogging”. Individual articles on a blog are called “blog posts,” “posts” or “entries”. A person who posts these entries is called a “blogger”. A blog comprises text, hypertext, images, and links (to other web pages and to video, audio and other files). Blogs use a conversational style of documentation. It could also be classified as our daily pulpit in which our voices are connected with others. A blog in general is mostly my entries or my memos to the world.

What are the pedagogical implications of students driven BLOGS in contrast to the teacher- created website?

Let me be honest here: a teacher- created website may often be boring at times. Students nowadays need hands on skills to lift them up academically especially in this fast changing world where technology fits in well in the life of this youngsters. As teachers, we have to create situations for students that demand SHARING of ideas, talents, and skill-sets. Speaking on skill sets, a BLOG in the classroom perfectly sets this vision forward in the life of students. Who knows! May be we can replace Grading system with an Experience Point system.

I've been to a lot of classes this semester and only to see that teachers are well prepared in classroom activities and most of them are excellent speakers. I as a student sitting there listening to the delivery of this wonderful speeches and only to see that my assignment is due the next day. Well! I may say that I learned 50% of what he is talking about taking into account that English is my second language. But when I come to this class where hands on skill set are taught through blogging, it changes my view point that this is perfect for my students to learn. Definitely, I will say yes to BLOGS.

What are the child protection, copyright, and social issues that are involved?

In this case, students should be taught from the beginning the proper use of blogging and safety that accompanies it.