Refection on the use of blogging as a tool for Learning and Teaching:

Like the general blogging community, there are many ways to use blogging in teaching and learning. You can use an existing blog to provide information and insights. They can also help you provide examples to increase the quality of your students' blog entries. Or, you can encourage your students to create a blog for others that reflects these ideas.

Activate. Motivate with blogs. Use a blog as a catalyst to generate interest in a new topic. Help students see the excitement and energy that can be found in a subject. For example, show the enthusiasm of mathematicans.

Connect. Provide a context or establish a connection. Bring relevance to the discussion by using a "real world" situation or example found in a blog.

Critique. Critically evaluate an idea or perspective by using examples to support a position. Many of these examples can be found in professional blogs.

Deepen. Add depth to a learning situation by providing a detailed explanation, thoughtful observation, or new resource that provides additional information or insights. For example, use a law blog to learn more about law and ethics.

Expand. Broaden thinking by providing an alternative perspective or different point of view. For example, use blogs from different countries to examine cultural differences.

Fresh Look. Use blogs to provide current, immediately relevant examples. For example, get the latest science or fashion news.

Inform. Provide primary sources or data that help explain an idea already presented. For example, you can track earthquakes and volcanoes. Consider a statistic or graph that illustrates a point.

Launch. Look for blogs as a place for new, innovative ideas. Be the first to present a new idea rather than simply commenting on the work of others. Ask questions to keep the new idea going.

Synthesize. Bring a number of ideas together. For example, consolidate these comments and draw a new conclusion.