Avoiding the 5 Most Common Mistakes in Using Blogs ... - mwpwiki

5. Inadequate time allocation
The notion of adequate time is not discussed often enough in the use of technology in learning.
Just as students are different in their processing time within any learning context, so adequate
time should be given for every student to complete work using online tools such as the blog.
Instructors should be reasonable and if possible, leaving the blog tool open until the end of the
course. This will help students maximize the benefits of the tool and will also provide more time
for students who need it. As online tools provide a more immediate learning context for students,
they also usually encourage more participation from students. This participation in turn provides
more text or other response types from students and ultimately more for instructors to read
through or view and grade. Therefore, instructors should plan ahead and plan well for the
increased work that will likely take place when their students are using online tools.
Students should be fully aware of what the expectations are and how the tool is being used in
their learning process. Once students understand this, they are more likely to participate and to a
greater degree of critical awareness. While there are many mistakes that can be made in using
any new tool in instruction, instructors should have a question and answer mindset in their use. It
is important to find out what problems or challenges exist and to find solutions quickly.
Instructors who use online tools must be innovative in their approach, creative in their course
design, and flexible in their methods in order to ensure successful learning experiences for their
students. While there is no one-way to use any instructional resource well, it is important to
integrate the use of any tool or learning resources intro the overall course design intentionally
and totally supporting the learning outcomes for the students.
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About the author: Ruth Reynard is the dean of faculty for Career Education Corp. She can be
reached at rreynard@careered.com.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this
publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.