Using Weblogs in Foreign Language Classroom:
Possibility and Challenges
(reference: https://mind42.com/public/3ba902c9-689f-4acf-84dd-1c7a90809202)
The web 2.0
is developed from web 1.0
the web 2.0
is created for interactive information such as weblog, wikis, and social
network. It
also is recognized to have great potential for effective teaching and learning
foreign language.
theoretical justification of using Web 2.0
pedagogy has
shifted from a cognitive orientation to a social orientation, from context to
naturalistic setting, and L2 learning to L2 use. Together with these changes,
concepts such as input, interaction, authenticity, and collaboration are
recognized as critical factors to determine successful foreign language
learning.
Web
1.0 which is characterized as non-participatory, static, read-only entity. In
contrast, Web 2.0 technologies provide environments where users can communicate
and collaborate in active manners. Thus, web 2.0 technologies provide language
learners with the potential for a collaboration-oriented and community-based
learning environment. The weblogs are best received in field of education in
general and foreign language education owing to their unique features.
Table
1. Web
1.0
vs.
Web 2.0
|
|
Web 1.0
|
Web 2.0
|
Web as Read-only
|
Web as Read-write.
|
Web as Medium
|
Web as Platform
|
Web as geek and techies
|
Web of anyone willing to try
|
Web as Broadcast
|
Web as conversation
|
Web as static
|
Web as Dynamic
|
Characteristics of weblogs
Weblogs is defined
as free user-friendly websites that are easily created, maintained, and updated
without any knowledge of HTML, offer huge possibilities for innovative learning
in classrooms, across disciplines and in various levels.
(reference: https://es.dreamstime.com/foto-de-archivo-concepto-del-blog-image29103000)
3.1. Weblogs vs
other Asynchronous Web-based commutation tool
weblogs share
some similar features with other asynchronous communicative applications such
as email, discussion forums, and web pages. The weblogs can be viewed by anyone
on the web. Weblogs are also different from discussion forums in that they are
individually or group owned. Weblogs can easily include hyperlinks, images and
video clips while the forum mainly consists of plain texts or attached files.
3.2. Unique
Features of Weblogs
Individual
ownership: it is responsible for publishing the blog content, moderating
readers’ comments, deciding the rights of the readers, and customizing the look
and feel of the blog.
Updates
displayed in reverse chronological order: blog, there are chronological order of
the post places the latest posting at the top of the page. In the other hand, Older
posts appear further down the latest post. This systematic makes it possible
for users to access the latest posting immediately when logging on the blogs.
Archival of postings:
Weblogs auto-archived older posts. It will show only recent post but the reader
can get the older post by clicking a hyperlink or permalink
These unique
features of weblogs have various characters that attract language educators
and the posting.
Relevance:
Weblogs allow teachers and learners to upload content relevant to their courses
and promote student-teacher, student-student, and student-others interactions
about the postings.
Accessibility: Weblogs are accessible to
whoever is interested in making contributions in a relatively long period of
time without moving physically or attending face-to-face classes
Interactivity: Weblogs can be accessible to
other blogs through a list of links to selected blogs, or an RSS feed enables
bloggers to subscribe to other blogs and monitor their activities.
Interest:
Weblogs give students equal chances to participate.
These
characteristics of weblogs not only facilitate exchanging information and
expanding communication but also provide learners with possibilities to enhance
their language learning.
Using Weblogs in Foreign Language Classroom
We use weblogs
in foreign language classroom as three means: the tutor blog, the learner
weblog, and the class weblog. Campbell (2003)
Three Weblog types
|
|
Type of
weblog
|
Characteristics
|
Tutor
|
administered by the
instructor
encouraged learners to do
reading practice and explore links for self-study
|
Class
|
administered
by the entire class
encourages
learners to post messages, images and links pertinent to classroom discussion
topics
|
Learner
|
administered by the
learner
encourages individual
learners to post their thoughts about the reading
|
4.1. Possibility and Challenges of Tutor Weblog
A tutor weblog can have possible three functions:
o It can
function as a pace through which teacher provide learner.
o
It can
function as platform to help learner explore the web resources in a guided
manner.
o It can use to allow learners to express their idea and opinion.
4.2 Possibilities and Challenge of learner blogger
A learner blogger
is used for online journal that an individual can update with his or her words,
ideas, and thought.
4.3. Possibilities and Challenge of Class weblogs
Class weblog can
be best used as a collaborative discussion space, an extra-curricular extension
of the classroom, encouraging students to reflect more in depth on the topics
dealt with in class. In addition, class blog can be useful for facilitating project
based language learning. Furthermore, class blogs can serve as a medium for
cultural exchange through writing. Learners can interact with people in other
countries if the situation permits. Though this interaction, learners can
practice their foreign language skills as well as acquire intercultural
awareness. Participation in an authentic use of the target language for real
communication.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Weblog
o Advantages of Using Weblog
o
Weblogs
provide an authentic learning environment for real communication.
o
Weblogs
function as online learning logs where learners record their learning experience.
For teachers, this function can be used as e-polio that record learners’
progress and encourage learners to reflect on their learning experience.
Weblogs enable learners to create social networks and learning communities,
so this collaboration can motivate learners to improve their writing skills
With these
advantages, the multi-media features of weblogs enable language learners to
improve all of language’s skill because audio and video blogs can provide
listening material together with cultural aspects related to the target
language country. Weblogs integrated in foreign language classes are reported
to provide the learners with a practicing environment where learners can think,
write, and reflect through interaction with their instructor and peers, and as
a result can enhance their writing skills.
Using weblog in
foreign language classroom:
o
enhances
reading comprehension, improves students’ writing skills and abilities.
o
develops
writing and learning strategies.
o
has
a positive impact on the content and increases the amount of writing of learners?
o
makes
students pay close attention to the formal aspects of writing, both in terms of
word choice, structure, and word spelling, attending to sentence and paragraph
structure as well as adapting academic style, register and appropriate word.
o
provide
the student’s opportunity to write freely without being judged for their
grammatical mistakes.
o
develops
ideas and provide feedback for the authors.
o
enhances
student analytical and critical thinking skills.
o
increases
student motivation in reading and writing, promotes learner independence and
autonomy, and enhances students’ analytical and critical thinking skills.
o disadvantages of
Using Weblog
o
students
with low English proficiency may experience difficulty in putting their ideas
in order.
o
students
lack confidence in their writing ability
These problems
suggest that the instructor should take a more active role in assisting students
during the blogging. On the other hand, it is difficult to keep students’
interest in blog-based tasks. Thus, teachers guided learners to form the habit
of using them for weblogs to work best:
o
Teachers
should respond to students’ posting quickly, asking questions about their
postings to stimulate them to keep writing.
o
Students
should be actively encouraged to read and respond to their peers.
o
Writing
to the blog could be required as part of the class assessment.
