Determining what exactly 'blogging' is has been a priority for me this past week. What is it? How does it work? What do I 'blog' about? Who will read my posts? These questions, along with a dozen others, have caused me to search around and see what others are saying about the blogging phenomenon.
"Blogging in Plain English" is a basic, step-by-step explanation outlining one individuals views about the creation of blogging, including: its purpose and intention, how it works, and the connections that exist within the blogging community. This clip was enormously helpful in supporting my understanding of blogging basics. The search continues as I further pursue my blogging adventure.
After reading, "A new culture of learning" by Thomas and Brown (2011), I became curious about what a new culture of learning was and what it meant for me as a student and educator. Thomas and Brown outlined two elements necessary for the 'new culture of learning' in the 21st century: First, unlimited access to resources through a massive information network, and second, an unlimited degree of agency to build and explore within a bounded and structured environment (p. 19). Blogs may just be that environment in which one can access unlimited resources (via other blogs, and through various links within blogs), while simultaneously building upon and exploring within the structures of the blog and the blogging community.
As my blogging adventures continue, I will explore these boundaries in an effort to expand my 'arc of life learning,' outlined by Thomas and Brown as [learning which encompasses the] "activities in our daily lives that keep us learning, growing, and exploring" (p. 18). By following others' blogs, and posting on my own blog, I will attempt to become part of a larger conversation by questioning and imagining, and, most importantly, learning from others.
Cheers,
Theresa
Thomas, D. & Brown, J.s. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change. Seattle, WA: Create Space.
Video: Blogging in Plain English. Retrieved January 16, 2012 from http://youtu.be/NN2I1pWXjXI
I too spent the week trying to get my head around blogs. I had many of the same questions as you when this blogging adventure began and there are still many I am looking to answer. I agree that the video was a great introduction to the basics of blogging and was surprised to hear that there are over 70 million blogs worldwide. I did a quick poll of some family and friends, and none of them blog, so who is blogging?
ReplyDeleteI think we are all immersed in the ‘arc of life learning’ as the range and volume of technology around us seems to change and grow by the day and you can’t help but explore, learn and grow (even if it is small steps at a time). So, what does all of this technology mean for us as educators both in and out of the classroom?
I look forward to following your blog and learning along with you.