I came across this CNet article on educational blogs because another blogger was excited to see this topic covered. What struck me about the excitement expressed by the blogger linking to the CNet site was that the comments to the main article were ignored. The comments dismissed blogs as an unproven classroom activity promoted by those focused on being recognized as innovators rather than on improving student performance. So, I encourage you to read this article and learn how some educators are integrating blogs, but also read the comments and recognize why some educators object.
I can’t help thinking the answer is somewhere in between. It is true that there is little evidence that student blogs promote learning. I do not doubt that in the proper situations blogging might be quite useful, but I am not certain these circumstances have been well defined. If blogs encourage students to think about what they read and hear, this has to be a good thing. However, what students write about and whether what they have to say seems reasonable are critical. Shallow and faulty comments are no better than thoughtless memorization.
Concerns that the educational enterprise is failing to maintain the nation’s economic superiority are simplistic. International changes resulting in economic shifts involve many factors. Some of these factors simply concern basic financial realities such as costs and salaries. The solution may not be to do more of the same. The economy needs at least a few individuals with the motivation and the creativity to think on a higher plane. Sure, basic skills are necessary for advanced problem-solving and creativity. However, if early experiences with the basics are dull, overly repetitous, and disconnected from personal experience, the number of young learners willing to push through will also be limited. A focus on “the basics” and educational rigor are not necessarily the same things.
