Are Blogs Relevant in Higher Education in 2013?

Recently TLTR (both Sitka and regional) have discussed blogs. While the conversation centered specifically on the rationale for using a blog hosted external to the university’s course management system (like this WordPress blog) instead of a university supported tool (like the blog inside of Blackboard), we felt this might be a good time to talk about blogs in general. Why they might be used, how they differ from discussion boards, and just some pros and cons of using a blog inside of Blackboard or a blog external to your course.  At the conclusion of this post, we’d love you to comment, tell us your experience with blogs, positive or negative. Share with us what you like about blogs and how you are using them in your classes.

How Do They Differ from Discussion Boards?
First, let’s be clear, a blog can be used in many, many different ways. However, typically a blog is used by a person or group to publish ideas or information and solicit comments. In other words 1 post, many comments. Most blogs have 2 or 3 columns. The first often column contains content and comments; the second may have a list of recent posts and categories; finally, the last column may have a word cloud to help you find a topic quickly and a search bar. Of course this varies widely, as you choose the template and create the look and feel of your blog.

In contrast, the usual threaded discussion has posts that may have equal ranking from many people, and comments can generate their own small discussions. Unlike a blog which is quite chronological in nature, our Blackboard discussion boards, for example, can be organized by person, by topic, by date etc.

So if discussion boards are so flexible, why would we want to blog?

VoiceThread Recorded Webinar

VoiceThread is a tool that you can add to your online or face-to-face classroom that will allow you to create interactive voice or text conversations. It can be used in so many different ways. If you missed the webinar this week on creating VoiceThread we have the link to the recorded session available to you. We encourage you to listen and give VoiceThread a try.

Remember – if you make your VoiceThread shareable by the link, all of your students will be able to view your VoiceThread and hear you speak. For them to comment, they will need to log into their own VoiceThread account. If you have questions, please contact your Instructional Design Team.

To reinforce how easy it is to embed a VoiceThread into your Blackboard course, view this short tutorial.

iTeach Sitka

Early this summer, a small group of faculty will converge for a week of intensive work on a course intended for fall or spring delivery (2013-2014). This could be you!

iTeach Sitka will be June 3-7, 2013 and is based on a UAF model which provides opportunities for small groups of faculty to develop their online courses with a supportive group of like-minded faculty. Support staff will teach, coach, guide and mentor you through the various steps of course development.

VoiceThread Basics Webinar

VoiceThread Basics Webinar
Times: 10 am – 11 am
Location: Online

Navigating, creating, commenting on, and sharing VoiceThread as well as using VoiceThread inside Blackboard. Registration information can be found on our Webinar page.