Analysing Weblogs in University Teaching
Sergio Luján-Mora, Susana de Juana-Espinosa
Abstract Book of the International Technology, Education and Development Conference (INTED 2008), p. 263: IATED, Valencia (Spain), March 3-5 2008. ISBN: 978-84-612-0192-1.
(INTED'08a)
Congreso internacional / International conference
Resumen
University lecturers are relying on the publication of blogs for complementing traditional lectures or as a e-learning tool. However, the usefulness of blogs is still unclear. Therefore there is a need for studies that may show the real value of blogs in university education. In this paper, several studies regarding this topic are reviewed, and their conclusions will be contrasted with the findings of a research carried out among the students of the University of Alicante. This research is based on a double perspective analysis. On the one hand, a qualitative assessment was conducted to evaluate the perceived satisfaction and usefulness of the students when faced with blogs, both as writers and readers. On the other hand, a quantitative survey was passed to the same students in order to estimate their level of participation and to refine the qualitative perceptions aforementioned. The conclusions show that, even though most students had not used a blog before this experience, they are motivated and consider this tool as an enhancer of their learning processes. Moreover, the students have increased their implication level in the teaching-learning dynamics by using blogs.