The Internet TESL Journal
Weblogs for Use with ESL Classes
Aaron Patric Campbell
apc33 [at] rocketmail.com
http://www8.ocn.ne.jp/~apc33/
Ryukoku University
(Seta, Japan)
The purpose of this paper is to introduce three ways that weblogs
can be used to support ESL classroom learning. After defining what a weblog
is, I will proceed to show how weblogs can be put into immediate use in the
ESL classroom by means of three distinct types: the tutor weblog, learner
weblog, and class weblog. I will also mention the software available for creating
and maintaining weblogs.
What is a Weblog?
A weblog (or 'blog') can be thought of as an online journal that an individual
can continuously update with his or her own words, ideas, and thoughts through
software that enables one to easily do so. Unlike a standard website, weblog
entries are made by typing directly into the browser and with the click of
a button are instantly published on the internet. All basic document formatting,
like spacing, bold, italics, underline, and creating links, requires no knowledge
of HTML or FTP (File Transfer Protocol), so that anyone who can type, copy,
and paste can create and maintain a weblog. However, with a very basic knowledge
of HTML, users can extend their ability to customize the layout of their
blog and even add pictures to enhance its attractiveness. Similar to an open
journal, the accumulation of writings and other content creates both a record
of learning and a resource for others. Furthermore, a weblog is interactive,
in the sense that readers can respond to any given entry with a comment and
even threaded discussions can take place depending on the software chosen.
Even though weblogs have been in existence since the very beginning of
the world wide web itself (Winer, 2002), free, commercially available 'blogging
software' of the type discussed in this article, seems to have made its first
appearance in July of 1999 (Blood, 2000). Because of the relative quickness
and ease of publishing this type of software affords, the number of users
has grown tremendously since then, and we can now observe blogs being used
for personal, educational, journalistic, and commercial purposes. In the
following section, I will introduce three possible ways that weblogs could
be put to immediate use with ESL classroom learning.
Three Types of Weblogs for Use in ESL Classrooms
The Tutor Blog
This is a type of weblog that is run by the tutor for the learners. It serves
the following purposes:
- It gives daily reading practice to the learners. Sometimes students
find assigned reading material too boring, difficult, or hard to relate with.
This is because it is often written with another purpose in mind. So who
better to write to them than the person who knows them best: the teacher.
Entries are kept short, geared towards the learner interest, and linked to
related online sources for further reading if desired. Vocabulary used in
class can be recycled this way. New vocabulary words can be linked to definitions
on other sites found with a search engine. Furthermore, a casual, natural
writing style can be used by the tutor to develop learner familiarity with
native language patterns.
- It promotes exploration of English websites. Any entry
made by the tutor can and ought to encourage further exploration of the Internet
in English by linking to related articles, and content based websites. For
those learners reluctant to step outside the comfort of exploring the Web
in their native language, being led to interesting English language sites
will increase their confidence and help to overcome their aversion.
- It encourages online verbal exchange by use of comment buttons.
At the bottom of each entry, any blog reader can make a comment that can be
read and further commented on by all who access the site. Ask your students
questions, give them riddles, challenge their views; whatever it takes to
encourage them to comment.
- It provides class or syllabus information. Entries in
the blog can also serve to remind students about homework assignments and
upcoming discussion topics. Links can be provided to sites that introduce
relevant topics of discussion. The tutor can also follow up on difficult
areas of classroom work that might need review or clarification. In addition,
a permanent link to the classroom syllabus and rules can be included on the
blog.
- It serves as a resource of links for self-study. In the
right and/or left margins of the blog, permanent links can be set-up and
organized to aid the learner in self-study, for example links to online quizzes,
English news sites, key-pal networks, audio and video files for listening
practice and ESL interactive websites.
The Learner Blog
These are blogs that are either run by individual learners themselves or
by small collaborative groups of learners. In ESL, learner blogs may be best
suited for reading and writing classes. A common reading assignment can be
followed by blog postings on the thoughts of each learner or group of learners.
Furthermore, the act of constructing the blog may encourage the use of search
engines and net surfing in English to find the appropriate sites to which
links can be made. This will empower the learner to direct the reader
to sites of choice for further reading. Individually, blogs can be used as
journals for writing practice, or as free-form templates for personal expression.
The idea here is that students can get writing practice, develop a sense
of ownership, and get experience with the practical, legal, and ethical issues
of creating a hypertext document. In addition, whatever they write can instantly
be read by anyone else and, due to the comment features of the software,
further exchange of ideas is promoted. Tutors can even run a mega-blog of
select topics of interest gleaned from student blogs so that the broader
issues are brought into focus on a single website.
The Class Blog
This type of blog is the result of the collaborative effort of an entire
class. The following are some possible uses:
- In conversation-based classes it could be used like a free-form bulletin
board for learners to post messages, images, and links related to classroom
discussion topics. It could also be a space for them to post thoughts on a
common theme assigned for homework.
- With intermediate and advanced learners, class blogs might also
useful for facilitating project-based language learning, where learners can
be given the opportunity to develop research and writing skills by being
asked to create an online resource for others.
- Class blogs could also be used as a virtual space for an international
classroom language exchange. In this scenario, learners from different
countries would have joint access and publishing rights to the blog. The entire
exchange would then be transparent to all readers and could be followed and
commented on by other learners, tutors, parents and friends.
- For reading and writing classes, it might also involve the use
of knowledge management software, like Userland's Manila, that allows for
a great deal of threaded discussion behind the scenes. Much like a publishing
group, individual learners can be given varying amounts of responsibility
to publish material arising from postings on the discussion list. The results
of this effort are what is seen on a website by the public at large.
Weblog Software
For those looking for weblog software, there are several dozen choices at
present, all of which have different features. One major issue to consider
is whether or not installation is required. Some weblog software is run on
a central, web-based server, while others require to be downloaded and installed
on a local server. For teachers without much technical know-how or support,
the first option might be the easiest. Another important issue is cost. Some
weblog software is free, while others may start at $5 and run up to $100
dollars a year or more to operate. Companies that are presently offering
free blogging software and hosting services without commercial advertising
are WebCrimson, Diaryland, UpSaid, and Pitas.com. Sign-up is very simple
and only requires an email address. You and your students can be up and blogging
in a short amount of time. Do some research to find out which software is
the best for your particular needs.
Conclusion
By introducing the three types of weblogs above and mentioning the software
necessary, I hope to draw the attention of other practitioners to both the
potential that weblogs have to support classroom-based ESL learning and the
ease with which an ESL blogging project could be started.
Visit the Author's Blog
My tutor blog, called 'The New Tanuki' <http://thenewtanuki.blogspot.com/>,
was made with software called 'Blogger' from Pyra Labs in San Francisco, and
costs $15 a year without any commercial advertising. With commercial advertising
it would have been free.
References
Appendix
The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. IX, No. 2, February 2003
http://iteslj.org/
http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Campbell-Weblogs.html