Blogging to Increase Learner Knowledge and Skills

The format and practice of blogging are now a major focus for academics in fields ranging from sociology and geography to cultural and media studies, underscoring blogs’ clear importance as a platform (Dean, 2010; Rettberg, 2014; Gandini, 2016, as cited in Parry and Hracs, 2020). Because blogs tend to be short and to the point, they are quick reads on a specific subject area and can easily be found on social media sites or through a search engine, such as Google. Due to the brevity of much of the content on social media, information is dispersed in small amounts, allowing the learner to engage for a short period of time, thus not overloading the learner with information, but providing them with microlessons. 

According to Dunaway (2024), microlearning is all about short, focused segments of learning, each designed to hit a specific learning target. These segments typically last 2-5 minutes, just enough time to teach a single concept without causing brain overload. When teaching an online class, assigning a blog that relates to the lesson is a short read or view for learners to engage in to expand their knowledge and skills in a content area. Furthermore, the asynchronous nature of online discussions allows students the crucial time needed to absorb material, express their views in writing, and reflect for richer learning experiences (Abdul and Tasir, 2020). Blogs provide flexible and accessible avenues for collaborative and reflective writing and learning, whether students are working with instructors, peers, or both (Abdul and Tasir, 2020). 

Check out these resources: Common Sense Education and theedublogger 

References 

Abdul Kadir, N. I., & Tasir, Z. (2020). Students’ perceptions and information-sharing patterns in learning authoring system course through blogging. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 15(19), 187–199. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i19.10950 

Common Sense Education. (n.d.). 18 tools: writing, journaling, and blogging websites for students. https://www.commonsense.org/education/lists/writing-journaling-and-blogging-websites-for-students 

Dunaway, T. (2024, August 12). Enhancing Learning Retention and Engagement. Unboxed Training & Technology, para. 2.  https://unboxedtechnology.com/blog/microlearning-enhancing-learning-retention-engagement/#:~:text=Microlearning%20is%20all%20about%20short,concept%20without%20causing%20brain%20overload. 

Parry, J., & Hracs, B. J. (2020). From leisure to labour: towards a typology of the motivations, structures and experiences of work‐related blogging. New Technology, Work & Employment, 35(3), 314–335. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12179 

theedublogger. (2024). Resources. https://www.theedublogger.com/resources/