Blogger 101, a webinar by our professor, helped me to set up my blog. I am wondering if I could incorporate the use of blogging in the classes about writing that I teach. I can see how the online world would be something familiar to the students (which may interest and motivate them), but I wonder about some other issues. For example, all work is completed in class; there is no homework. Would the students be comfortable posting partial work or work in progress. I also wonder about the differences between norms surrounding blogging and norms surrounding academic writing at the university level. Would the students be overwhelmed by various writing conventions and norms if I used this platform? Could they maintain academic writing standards while blogging? Are there issues about intellectual property that I would need to consider? How would I provide feedback - publicly via the blog or privately?
As you might imagine, I am not the only one curious about this matter of using blogs for academic writing. It has become a topic of academic research as indicated by the text of the following links:
Academic Blogging, Academic Practice, and Academic Identity
Engaged Writers and Dynamic Disciplines
While searching for some answers to my questions about using blogs for academic writing, I did stumble upon some interesting information about the use of blogs for English language learners. This information may prove useful in one of the courses I teach. In the summer, I teach a four-week, English-for-Academic-Purposes course.
The Impact of Weblogs on the Affective States and Academic Writing of L2 Undergraduates
Blog Writing Integration for Academic Language Learning Purposes
Fascinating...I can't wait to read your references Sherry!
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