In this article by Lucy Philip *(Reflection), (School of Earth and Environment, University of Leedshttp://www.gees.ac.uk/planet/p17/lp.pdf) she explains that "reflection is a valuable tool that allows students to get the most from their education and that it sets the scene for and creates life-long learning. She borrows a definition from Boud, et al., 1985 and describes reflection in this way:
"reflection is an important human activity in which people recapture their experience, think about it, mull it over and evaluate it. It is this working experience that is important in learning."
Reflection can be written soley for the author's personal use. Blogging, however, takes reflection to the next level. Blogging is writing for others to read it. When writing a reflection in a blog, students can blog about what they are learning, and how they are learning it. When allowed to comment on each other's blogs, students build on their self awareness on others's insights.
I believe that blogging for students, even at the elementary level can have a huge impact of students' ability to reflect, collaborate and promote learning.
I like your insight about relection. I feel that in the very fast-paced world we live in that there is not much time for reflection. This includes within the classroom. With so much to cover and with such vast student needs in each classroom it is sometimes hard to add that reflective piece in, sadly, because it is such an important piece of the learning process. I have used reflection journals in the past, which I guess is somewhat like blogging except that the only people who see it are the teacher and the students they share their reflection with.
ReplyDeleteTo build on a point Tricia made, we don't seem to have enough time in class, so often the summarizer or reflective pieces of lessons get cut out. By creating a class blog, teachers wouldn't have to use class time for reflection, as students could reflect and summarize at home. This would also allow students the appropriate amount of time to synthesize the material. I know in mixed ability classes once a few kids have finished a reflection, the others rush though to be done as well.
ReplyDeleteI like this simple and well written thought about how to use a blog. The great step forward from a reflection provided only to a teacher and a blog shared with a full class or students or possibly the world is all about the authentic audience. It does make a difference and is a lesson students should learn early and often.
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