Weblog bloom

  Upon reading the first chapters from Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms of Will Richardson, I think with the immense and rapid growth of web tools, as listed, wikis, weblogs, aggregators, online photo galleries, twitter…it is required for a teacher to tap into the potential of these tools for teaching and learning in nowadays situation.  Among these, having weblogs is such a bloom these years in the whole world, as well as in China. Especially, even the most popular social websites like facebook is based on the idea and formula of blogging. Because of the willingness to get a bunch of information and share  them, people use different features like video, graphics, photos, audio files in their blogs. Referring to Will Richardson‘s claim, blog can promote critical and analytical thinking of the user, combine the best of solitary and social interaction, and is a medium for increasing access and exposure to quality information.  In my personal experience of using blogs, they help me to share and collect information fast, help me to record my growth, and it’s a way for others to know me better.

  
  I intend to teach adults in institutions in China, instructions in China also required the merge of new technology. According to Standards for ESL/EFL Teachers of Adults Framework,one of the important domains for teacher is to have a good planning, weblog could be a journal-type one, it helps to record the teaching experience, and provide some teaching tips for other teachers. At the same time, something happened in the classroom recorded on weblogs can help teachers to look back and assess to have a further planning for the class. The other important domain mentioned in the frame is instructing. Using weblogs to post class-related documents are quite efficient, such as calendars, events, homework assignments, and other notifications, students are easily share and follow them online For example, students can either use it to gather the information, but also hand in assignments as well. Teacher provide online readings or reference websites is a good way to promote students to learn more, besides, sharing some related study content or the class review can easily be commented on the weblogs, this facilitates the interaction between teachers and students. Especially, for some adult students, weblog provides an easy and convenient way for them to learn and communicate.

  In all, using weblog meets the technical trends today, and also meets the great needs of online learning and instruction. For both sides of teachers and students, it offers a space to gather information and share experience. On the other hand, it requires the teacher to have a more organized planning to maximize the benefits of online study.