Blogs, podcasts, and wikis are social software that "present more opportunities for learners to participate in their own learning" (Seitzinger 1). These tools extend learning beyond the actual classroom. Constructivist learning should "engage students in meaningful learning" (3). Some key components of constructivism are active and manipulating features, ability to construct new ideas from prior knowledge, challenging and real-world like learning, and interactivity.
Podcasts, blogs, and wikis can be used as instructional supplements. Blogs can be used as "online learning journals in which students reflect on their perceptions of the learning materials and on on their own learning process" (Seitzinger 6). Students can use blogs to discuss their experiences on doing an annotated bibliography. Students can learn from each other and the teacher. They can post questions on how to cite online databases following the MLA format. Search strategies can be shared. Guidance on how to write a thesis statement can be provided along with tips on choosing a relevant topic. A group blog can assist in the collaborative construction of knowledge. A group blog can be described as having the elements of collaborative learning and reflection. Comments on blog posts can be powerful forms of feedback. According to Seitzinger, they offer immediate and detailed responses to the learner's thoughts and ideas (7)." Another quote from Learning Solutions: "Some of our best classroom discussions emerge from comments." Podcasts offer self paced learning. The student is free to listen to a class lecture at a time when they are most receptive to it and they have the ability to repeat it if they want to (10). Wikis are similar to blogs in that they provide individual interactivity, and collaborative learning.
Cognitive information processing: 1) Sensory- Blogs and wikis are visual. 2) Podcasts are auditory but can also be visual. 2) Working memory- Podcasts offer repetition (student can rehearse the steps of citing) of instruction while blogs and wikis can offer rehearsal too. Students must actively participate and read them in order for them to be effective. 3) Long-term memory- Encourage the overlearning of the material. Explanations of why answers are not correct are also helpful.
The goal is to provide effective education as a teacher. If these tools improve education an instructor should use them.
Seitzinger, Joyce. "Be Constructive: Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis as Constructivist Learning Tools". Learning Solutions. July 31, 2006.
