Presentació de la Tesi doctoral de Francesc Balagué

1. Use of weblogs as a teaching and
learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

2. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Why to use weblogs in education?
Blogs’
popularity
EHEA
Blogs’
flexibility
New
methodologies
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

3. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Research Question:
Can blogs improve the teaching and learning process? If so how?
Research Goals:
To analyze the different functions of blogs as support tool.
- Teaching and learning process.
- Students’ reflection process.
To investigate the communicative possibilities of blogs.
To analyze blogs’ advantages and issues as a resource for faculty.
To analyze the use of blogs as a research platform.
To become part of the blogosphere.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

4. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
European Higher Education Area
New teaching and learning paradigm:
Student centered approach
Learning and competence based
New roles of:
Teachers
Students
Institutions
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

5. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Web 2.0, blogs and blogosphere
BLOGS
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

6. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
New conceptualization of research
Changes in the way researchers relate to each other and communicate.
Changes in the way researchers organize and manage information.
Changes in the way research articles and reports are published.
Personal research portal.
Open Licenses.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

7. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
International References
Theoretical background review.
International experiences:
Weblogs at Harvard Law School
Brisbane Graduate School of Business
University of British Columbia
Podcasting at Lancaster University
Blogs at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Other experiences
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

8. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Summary
http://blocdeblocs.blip.tv/file/2636321/
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

9. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Methodology
Case study
As Latorre (1996) said, case study is a very important method for analysing
social reality in social science, and it represents the most appropriate and
natural way of qualitative researches.
Virtual ethnography
Virtual ethnography allows for a detailed study of linear relationships, so that
the web is not only a means of communication but also a daily artifact in
people’s lives and a meeting space that allows for the formation of groups,
communities, that is, a new way of socializing (Hine, 2006).
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

10. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Cases’ description
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

11. http://aforesm4.wordpress.com/
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

12. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Case 1
n= 36
mean age: 22 years
face to face
Students and teacher met in person once a week, so the blog was introduced
as a support and complement, combining the flexibility of use (from
anywhere at any time), and the organization of information which helped
students keep track of their own process and reflect on it later.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

13. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Cases’ description
Case 1
-
Case 2
Case 3
-
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

14. http://uoc-ie.blogspot.com
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

15. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Case 2
n= 22
mean age: 37 years
Online
The course was structured around 5 tasks, the instructions for completing
them and the deadlines were given at professor’s blog. Students had to
post an entry for each activity, reflecting over it according to the given
instructions.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

16. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Cases’ description
Case 1
Case 2
-
Case 3
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

17. http://www.blocdeblocs.net
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

18. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Case 3
The main goals of blocdeblocs were:
To acquire a deep knowledge of the tool, its possibilities and limitations.
To create and disseminate a virtual profile promoting interaction.
To organize, record and share the whole process in a single space.
To become a part of the community being studied.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

19. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Data Collection / Instruments
Timing of instruments Agents involved Case
Instruments Before During Posterior Professor Student
Initial Questionnaire X X 1&2
Final Questionnaire X X 1&2
Interview 1 X X X 1&2
Interview 2 X X 1&2
Student’s final
evaluations X X 1&2
Analyses of comments X X X 1&2
Analyses of posted data
entries X X 2
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

20. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Results Case 1
From the final questionnaire:
• High level of satisfaction by students with the overall experience.
• The majority felt that they had learned better by using the blog.
“What would you highlight of using blogs in higher education?”
• The blog allowed their reflection and thinking and also it helped their own
significant learning (were conscious of their own learning).
• It helped the organization of information and to recover what had been
done.
- Professor’s interview: they continued using blogs one year later.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

21. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Results Case 2
- Advantages:
It helps with the organization and management of the learning process.
It allows interactions with others, sharing thoughts and knowledge building.
It favors self-reflection and idea-organization.
It generates some responsibility.
- Disadvantages:
Some resistance to publishing certain reflections or to post learning activities.
The interaction among students should be increased.
The fact of not knowing who is the audience.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

22. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Results Case 3
15.732 visits 81 saved links
97 trackbacks 38th Alianzo’s Ranking
99 Subscribers 192 comments
(from December’06 to October’08)
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

23. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Results Case 3
Impact of the spread of public content (for ex. the Wordpress tutorial).
Interaction with other networks and platforms:
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

24. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
General Considerations
“Can blogs improve the teaching and learning process? If so how? “
Previous Research
Satisfaction Category
Using case study methodology
ICT Competences
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

25. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
1 – To analyze the different uses of blogs as a tool to support teaching
and learning in higher education.
Blogs help students record and organize their learning process.
Blogs may be useful tools for the generation of knowledge.
Blogs allow for different ways of working and organizing oneself.
Blogs help students feel more in charge of their learning process.
“It forced me to make an effort setting up the content to be published. It
helped me to organize better the information.”
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

26. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
2 – To experiment on the use of blogs to support the students' process of
reflection on their learning.
Blogs helped students to reflect and think of their own learning, and those
students themselves considered that it had contributed to their
meaningful learning.
“It gave me the opportunity to think... to stop and think.”
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

27. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
3- To investigate the communicative potential of blogs.
Relations among students
Professor – student’s relations
Fostering the communicative and interactive side of blogs may require some
guidelines, setting up some clear aims to provide solid reasons to do it.
“Seeing others’ blogs I could learn different ways of doing a task. But few
colleagues left me comments.”
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

28. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
4- To analyze the advantages and difficulties of this tool as a teaching
resource for instructors in higher education.
Blogs allow the systematization of the whole learning process.
Facilitates their organization and monitoring of the process.
Facilitates to provide feedback simultaneously.
Facilitates using learning centered methodologies.
The importance of a “first session” to explain students the project.
It takes a lot of time (for students and professors).
Difficult to introduce this methodology with the traditional assessment
system.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

29. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
5- To analyze the use of blogs as a research platform
The interaction with other people allow to gain a deeper insight into the
phenomenon in less time.
Turns the research process into an interactive one, not as isolated as it has
traditionally been.
Very flexible combining with other tools.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

30. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Specific conclusions regarding the aims of the research
6- To become part of the blogosphere in order to understand and gain
knowledge on the phenomenon from the inside.
It is advisable to approach the blogosphere to get to know the
environment and interact with it.
High repercussion of sharing materials online, the general impact has been
greater than it was foreseen.
To be part of the blogosphere implies a new mentality, a new way of
communicating, of working, of relating, etc.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

31. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Final conclusions and considerations
In order to turn students into protagonists of their learning, activities
should be organized around the students' individual blog (as Personal
Learning Environments).
We suggest that all citizens should keep their own “website” from their
very childhood, which could be for example the government's
responsibility as another personal right.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

32. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Research limitations
The novelty of the field of study and the lack of enough references and
similar experiences.
To study a real educational context, with real groups and in real teaching
situations, implies some difficulties.
The impossibility of comparing the learning results of the students who
used blogs to those of students who did not.
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

33. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
Future lines of study
New research based on the comparison between groups (using or not
blogs).
To analyze the use and integration of different tools and the way to
organize them in an educational context (PLE).
Further in-depth research focused on the balance between students’ public
writing and privacy.
More research is needed on the application of the EHEA model and its
implications on students' workload and the role of technology in it.
Next and futures technologies?
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

34. Introduction Theoretical Framework Methodology Results Conclusions
http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/2009/07/29/new-irish-skydiving-record-set-today/
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009

35. Moltes gràcies!
Dank jullie wel
thank you very much!
Photo credits
Use of weblogs as a teaching and learning support tool in Higher Education
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29796595@N02/2839489273/
Educational Multimedia Doctorate Program // Francesc Balagué Puxan // Sept. 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stabilo-boss/93136022