Blogging for engagement in the classroom, part 4.
Since I've already provided a list of possible out-of-class student activities, some concrete examples of outstanding blog uses, and some possible ways to use blogs to better tell if your students are getting what you hope they are, tonight I'll switch gears and mention a way to not use blogs.
Disclaimer: Emphasis below is mine, while the quote is from Will's blog. BTW, Will, I do think the rest of this idea is solid, viable, and would be an outstanding use of a blog or a dynamic Webpublishing system.
How about this...a collaborative research weblog where students are required to try to prove each other wrong by challenging either the information or the source, then come to consensus as to where truth lies, then write the essay or story? (They could each write it based on their collaborative efforts.) A reading of the weblog would (hopefully) show students actively engaged in not only collection but reflection on what they collected.
Up until last month, I would have loved this entire idea. Now, I believe that teacher-instigated, required conflict would actually inhibit what I think Will is really after -- engaged students, who enjoy immersing themselves in the activity, who want to continue doing similar activities.
This type of aggressive behavior (trying to prove others wrong), seen all too often in newsgroups, mailing lists, discussion groups, and also on some bloggers' comment systems is harmful to positive discourse, idea sharing and building, and the notion of community. It also causes fear and anger. There's no evidence linking either emotion in a positive manner to enhanced complex mental activities (like learning).
As someone who is obviously good at the education game as it is played in this country (wouldn't get near ABD status, otherwise), I have good verbal skills, and can speak well on my feet -- meaning that in a classroom 'discussion', I can usually hold my own while extolling my ideas, or at least shoot down portions of the other students' statements. This behavior often passes as part of a 'good' class discussion. I now see how this behavior is counterproductive to the desired learning outcomes, and a positive learning environment.
What caused my change of mind? A powerful article called The Seminar by Michael Kahn (1974) that exposed this behavior for what it actually is -- mostly harmful. As I read his article, I kept hearing my inner voice screaming "We could easily use blogs for all of this stuff he's promoting!". And "Seb", I also think that a dynamic Webpublishing system (like Manila) might actually be superior for conducting an online seminar!
Here's a little backstory for this one. Professor Kahn taught at University of California Santa Cruz, which was known for it's rather unique Pass/No Record and Narrative Evaluation approach to assessing learning. Apparently, according to a POD list member, Prof. Kahn taught a "2 course sequence in the mid 70's (first course, experience and process a seminar as it should be; second course - lead/facilitate a seminar)" about how to conduct seminars in a humanistic manner.
Folks who want to incorporate blogging for collaboration into their classrooms should also check out another article that Don McCormick and Michael Kahn wrote, Barn raising: Collaborative group process in seminars, which provides an outstanding overview of the issues, and offers pragmatic advice for how to facilitate a more positive seminar (aka classroom discussion). I had more than a few 'lightbulb moments' while reading that article, too.
Certainly, do use blogs to get your students to challenge information or sources, but don't purposely pit your students against each other. Our students are already too accustomed to classroom battles, and the instructor should be concentrating on providing interventions (see pgs 19-20 of the McCormick and Kahn article) when they happen, and facilitating a better seminar.
Imagine the difference between two groups of musicians: one obviously affected by internal strife and friction between members as they labor through a song; the other grooves on, swapping riffs and solos in an extended jam session where the energy and excitement builds. Who would you rather be listening to? [gRadio]
7:05:45 AM 
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