Educational Blogging

           In Stephen Downes' article on Educational Blogging I see where in limited areas we have reached a portion of the potential. However, overall we have made no progress in using the full ability of educational blogging. From working at a junior college to ministering to a congregation I know of very limited usage of blogging for educational purposes. Numerous students and members utilize blogging for personal usage, but there was never any formal structure set aside to use blogging to enhance learning. From a minister’s prospective many of my members travel long distances to attend Sunday morning services, yet are not able to attend our numerous mid-week activities due to traffic and high gas prices. With the use of technology, especially blogging, powerful and useful discussion could be held at various times to help meet the needs of my members. Thinking outside the box is the key, the problem is leaders, and educators, sometimes do not want to use the key.

           There seems to be a lot of fear and doubt on using blogging as an educational tool. With the fear that students will have someone else post responses to difficulty in obtaining meaningful dialogue, encourage people to shy away from taking a chance towards using technology. However, the fear does not stop with a look at the student, but even a look at the teacher. New technology entails more training to stay up-to-date and the motto if something works don’t fix it hinders faculty development. As educators we must understand that yes something may work, but if there is something to help you get to your goal quicker, and be just as effective, do we not owe it to our students and ourselves to use it. A true educator is always learners, or is that only what we say.