3 The roles of web blog in language learning and teaching
The Blog appears to enrich the learning experience and provide an opportunity for learners to shift from surface to deeper levels of learning. Surface learning is characterized by the approach of the learner to complete only the minimum content necessary to meet assessment requirements, whether that is learning only what may be presented in a test or simply attending and completing activities. Conversely, deep learning is how learners stand back from an experience, seek out connections between concepts, and contextualize meaning. In general, the blog as a learning journal is a way of documenting learning and collecting information for self-analysis and reflection, it helps students nurturance a habit to study from surface to deep. Blogs are well suited to serve as on-line personal journals for students, particularly since they normally enable uploading and linking of files. Language learners could use a personal blog, linked to a course, as an electronic portfolio, showing development over time. By publishing the blog on the Internet, the student has the possibility of writing for readers beyond classmates, not usually possible in discussion forums. Readers in turn can comment on what they're read, although blogs can be placed in secured environments as well. Self-publishing encourages ownership and responsibility on the part of students, who may be more thoughtful (in content and structure) if they know they are writing for a real audience. This same degree of personal responsibility is lacking in discussion forums.
Three types of blogs have been described for use in English writing class by Campbell (2003): the tutor blog; the learner blog; and the class blog.
The tutor blog is run by the tutor for the learner, and its purpose is to give reading practice to the learners, promote exploration of English websites, encourage online exchange by use of comment buttons, provide class or syllabus information, and serve as a resource of links for self-study.
Learner blogs are run by individual learners themselves. Learner blogs are best suited for English reading and writing classes.
The class blog is the result of the collaborative effort of an entire class. It can be used for posting messages, images, and links related to classroom discussion topics in English. Class blogs could also be used as a virtual space for an international classroom language exchange