Through this learning process, and as part of the DLL program, we are encouraged to blog. But why is blogging important for educators? Clearly we blog to share our knowledge and experiences. We blog to contribute to a network of resources from which other educators may benefit. But additionally, according to a blog post by Shelly Blake-Plock (2009), blogging, like the ePortfolio, helps the learner reflect on their growth and their situation. As educators, we reflect on our situations, we are able to see how we think. According to Blake-Plock, “to blog is to teach yourself what you think.”
In addition to blogging about our successes and triumphs, we should also talk openly about failures. We know that failure is an opportunity to learn and grow, yet we live in a culture that continues to find shame in failures. By blogging about those times when we are not so successful in our endeavours, we can set an example for our learners that it’s okay to fail, as long as we learn from that failure.
“…is not about having the right answers, it’s about having the audacity to have the wrong answers and re-address them in light of contemplation, self-argument, and experience.”
In Harapnuik’s 2011 blog post (Why learners should blog), he reinforces the concept of reflecting on our failures to learn and grow, and describes how educators can use learners’ blogs as a formative tool to assess learner progress.
References
Blake-Plock, S. (2009). Why teachers should blog. Teach Paperless: seeking social solutions to the mysteries of 21st century teaching and learning. Retrieved from http://teachpaperless.blogspot.com/2009/09/why-teachers-should-blog.html, 07-August-2018.
Harapnuik, D. (2011). Why learners should blog. It’s about learning: creating significant learning environments. Retrieved from http://www.harapnuik.org/?p=1281 07-August-2018.
Making Waves 