I am interested in the blog's potential to be used to network and share information. Students could use them to save and share links to artist websites, for either a specific project or routine tasks. They assist in the reflective process, providing an outlet for the sharing and expressing of ideas in a simple and relative way. Those who may feel hindered by social expectations during a class critique can find relief in the informality of blogging. Blogs can be useful in keeping parents aware of what their child has been up to in the art room and build the credibility of one's school's art department.
This means of sharing ideas is beneficial to those who prefer written expression. The ideas become concrete and can be reflected on over time. Encouraging students to use these blogspaces to develop skills in thinking about art can increase awareness of the role reflection plays in learning. Learning and thinking are recursive processes. Reflective, metacognitive thinkers are highly capable beings.
I love blogs for many reasons but you shared one I am particularly fond of, and that is the opportunity is has for a student to share an idea/thought that he or she may have been too intimidated to share in class or needed time to process before sharing. I think blog can be a great tool for reflective thinking and liked when you wrote, " Learning and thinking are recursive processes." Allowing students the time and space for this recursive learning and thinking to take place is essential in school.
ReplyDeleteI like what you said about blogs being a way to introduce and share artist websites and resources. It's always nice to show a PowerPoint in class, but even if all of the slides are visually intriguing, your students will lose interest in the lecture quickly. Allowing them to reach beyond the classroom and discover resources on their own allows them to not only learn the material more thoroughly, but also gives the potential to teach you more than you originally knew.
ReplyDeleteKelly-
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed how you pointed out that it also gives the parents a chance to see what is happening in the art room and also how/what their student is doing. This is something that didn't come to light when I was reading the article. I also like how you brought up metacognition. This is something that I feel every student should dive deep into understanding.