Slides for Embrace Mobile Learning Conference, UAEU, Al AIn, Nov 20, 2013

1. Using Blogs to Share LearnerGenerated Content
Sean Dowling
Ed Tech Coordinator
Sharjah HCT

2. Overview
 The evolution of blogs
 Learner-generated content
 What is it?
 Why share it?
 How to share it?
 4P Model – present, practice, produce + publish
 Case studies
 Face-to-face learning environment
 Online learning environment

3. The evolution of blogs
 Around since 1990s.
 2006-2011: 36 million  181 million 1
 Early platforms – online diaries (Open Diary, Live Journal)
 Later platforms – interactive websites, CMS (WordPress, Blogger)
 Microblogs – niche blogs (Tumblr, LinkedIn, Edmodo)
 Core feature – simple posts and comments

4. Blogs for teaching and learning
 Learning activities can be posted
 Lines of communication open at all times
 Record of student work
 Allow for sharing of content (learner-generated content)

5. Learner-generated content (LGC)
 Traditionally, content is teacher generated
 What is LGC?
 content created or found by students as a result of doing
learning activities 2,3
 “student performance content”
 blogs allow for sharing of LGC
 need for quality control
2

6. Why share LGC?
 Increase student motivation levels 4,5
 sense of ownership / participation / community
 Help students develop 21st century skills
 Create valuable learning resources for peers 6,7
 More capable peers to less capable – ZPD 8,9
 Using blogs – knowledge transferred through
“social/collaborative learning” 10

7. How can blogs be used to share LGC?
 Teacher blogs for quality control
 guiding and supporting
 moderating student responses
 Student blogs
 longer pieces of work
 ePortfolios

8. The blogging platform - WordPress
sean@shc

10. 4P Model
11 Dowling,
2013

11. Publishing LGC

12. web2english

13. A sample lesson

14. Scaffolding and Support

15. Tracking Learner Activity

16. Assessment Rubrics

17. Sharing LGC

18. Thank you.
Any questions?

19. References
1.
NMIncite (2012, March 8). Buzz in the blogosphere: Millions more bloggers and blog readers. Available: http://nmincite.com/buzz-in-theblogosphere-millions-more-bloggers-and-blog-readers/.
2.
Boettcher, J.V. (2006, February 28). The rise of student performance content. Campus Technology. Available::
http://campustechnology.com/articles/2006/02/the-rise-of-student-performance-content.aspx
3.
Peres-Mateo, M., Maina, M., Guitert, M. & Romero, M. (2011). Learner generated content: quality criteria in online collaborative learning.
European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning. Available: http://www.eurodl.org/?article=459.
4.
Ciftci, H., & Kocoglu, Z. (2012). Effects of peer e-feedback on Turkish EFL students’ writing performance. Journal of Educational
Computing Research, 46(1), 61-84.
5.
Magnifico, A.M. (2010). Writing for whom? Cognition, motivation, and a writer’s audience. Educational Psychologist, 45(3), 167-184.
6.
Farhat, A., & Raven, J. (2013). Students constructing iBooks for students: A student centered materials development project. In S. Dowling,
H. Donaghue, C. Gunn, S. Hayhoe, & J. Raven (eds.), eLearning in Action, “Redefining Learning”, HCT Educational Technology Series,
Book 2. Abu Dhabi: HCT Press. Available: http://shct.hct.ac.ae/events/edtechpd2013/articles/Farhat-Raven.pdf.
7.
Trajtemberg, C., & Yiakoumetti, A. (2011). Weblogs: a tool for EFL interaction, expression, and self-evaluation. ELT Journal 65/4, October
2011. Available: http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/content/65/4/437.full.pdf+html.
8.
Vygotsky, L.S. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
9.
Vygotsky, L.S. (1987). Collected works volume 1: Problems of general psychology (Vol. 1). NY: Plenum Press.
10.
Narayan, V. (2011). Learner-generated content as a pedagogical change agent. Ascilite 2011 conference proceedings, 891-903.
Hobart: Australia. Available: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/hobart11/downloads/papers/Narayan-full.pdf.
11.
Dowling, S. (2013). Using Blogs to Share Learner-Generated Content (TESL-EJ, 17-2, August 2013)