Blogging in Composition and Literature Courses: A New Discourse

Blogging in Composition and Literature Courses: A New Discourse presented by linette rasheedTechnological innovations that assist students with critical thinking, developing, and expressing ideas in writing and literature classes are needed.

Good Morning Board of Directors. Id like to present to you Blogging in Composition and Literature Courses by Linette Rasheed1The Need for BloggingResearch that addresses the solutions tothis probleminclude:Teaching strategies and instruction that help students engage in and successfully complete English courses (developmental and on the level) are needed.Blogs are more frequently updated (in terms of adding new content or comments), include more exchange among people, and have a higher percentage of text (as opposed to multimedia) than standard Webpages. The ease of writing and publishing on blogs makes them an appealing medium to students and thus has been found to help increase the quantity of student writing as well as its lexical sophistication (Fellner & Apple, 2006). Having students write on blogs can help learners transition from a more colloquial to an academic writing style, develop a sense of voice, learn to participate in a community of writers, and gain an important new literacy in its own right by becoming contributors to and not just consumers of online content (Bloch, 2007; Rezaee & Oladi, 2008). Blogs have a variety of formats and might include the user expressing their opinion about a topic or documenting activities. Blogs are interactive in the sense that other users could provide comments on the information posted by the blog author. Educational applications of blogs include researching, tracking, interpreting, and evaluating blogs for political commentary (multiple perspectives), cultural events, business, or other news and for examining changes over time

The need for blogging exists because the teaching strategies and instruction help students engage in and successfully complete English courses, the developmental course and those on the level) are needed. Blogging enhances teaching and learning because the ease of writing and publishing on blogs makes them an appealing medium to students and thus has been found to help increase the quantity of student writing as well as its lexical sophistication .In addition, having students write on blogs can help learners transition from a more colloquial to an academic writing style, develop a sense of voice, learn to participate in a community of writers, and gain an important new literacy in its own right by becoming contributors to and not just consumers of online content Blogs have a variety of formats and might include the user expressing their opinion about a topic or documenting activities. Blogs are interactive in the sense that other users could provide comments on the information posted by the blog author. Educational applications of blogs include researching, tracking, interpreting, and evaluating blogs for political commentary (multiple perspectives), cultural events, business, or other news and for examining changes over time

2About BloggingLinks to YouTube that provide information on this innovation. http://youtu.be/lu6ww1UWpikhttp://youtu.be/rJ1JVGdUxkchttp://youtu.be/_rE3rTnWccEhttp://youtu.be/MTCe9XMFPDkhttp://youtu.be/ly5QGZVaQqkhttp://youtu.be/497wsZ0vSsQ

What is blogging you ask. Well here are several links to help you.3Origins of ResearchThe term Web 2.0 was officially coined in 2004 by Dale Dougherty, a vice-president of OReilly Media Inc. (the company famous for its technology-related conferences and high quality books) during a team discussion on a potential future conference about the Web (OReilly, 2005a).The term Web 2.0 was officially coined in 2004 by Dale Dougherty, a vice-president of OReilly Media Inc. (the company famous for its technology-related conferences and high quality books).4Innovation: Development SnafusWhile technological innovations that assist students with critical thinking, developing ideas, and expressing ideas in writing and literature classes are needed, some psychological barriers were encountered in the development process of blogging. Among them is perception. Many educators continue to be critical of how tools such as blogging help students with mastery of the English language and mastery of relevant genres, enhance teaching and learning, and emphasize writing for meaningful academic purposes, and development of students academic language proficiency.

Many development problems exist with this innovation, well challenges. While technological innovations that assist students with critical thinking, developing ideas, and expressing ideas in writing and literature classes had some psychological barriers to overcome in the development process. Among them is perception. Many educators continue to be critical of how tools such as blogging help students with mastery of the English language and mastery of relevant genres, enhance teaching and learning, and emphasize writing for meaningful academic purposes, and development of students academic language proficiency.

5Timeline

When we look at technology today we look at the timeline from 1990-2004. This timeline illustrates other sources of technology but you will note that Web 2.0 was coined in 2004 and rolled out at that time. But, in 2000 blogging came abiut. Blogging is not new it has been around for about 14 years6S-CurveRate of adoption of Blogging in Education among four-year accredited institutions in the United States. The study conducted by The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research is a proportional sample of 28% public and 72% private institutions in all 50 states. Rate of adoption 2008-2009 41%Rate of adoption 2009-2010 51%Rate of adoption 2010-2011 66%Rate of adoption 2011-2012 68%Rate of adoption beginning to level off in 2011-2012

This also indicates that the rate of adoption for blogging is still behind. When we look at the rate from 2008-2011/12 which are the latest statistics .This is the study that was conducted by The University of Massachusetts and we see from 2008 to 2012 there has bee slow adoption.Rate of adoption 2008-2009 41%Rate of adoption 2009-2010 51%, Rate of adoption 2010-2011 66%. Rate of adoption 2011-2012 68%. Rate of adoption beginning to level off in 2011-2012

7Commercialization:

Web 2.0 tools which include blogging have been packaged and manufactured using various mass media channels. The infusion and integration is distributed by educational publishing houses, marketing reps, and the most influential channel of communications---word of mouth throughout academic disciplines and departments.First rolled out for the business sector, the tools usefulness spread into education.

Commercialization of Web 2.0 technology includes blogging as well as others like wikis and have been packaged and manufactured using various mass media channels. The infusion and integration is distributed by educational publishing houses, marketing reps, and the most influential channel of communications---word of mouth throughout academic disciplines and departments. Now web 2.0 technologies was first rolled out to the business sector and then the tools spread into education.8Key Change Agents Each of these change agents will effect positive social change as they:Assess clients needs Develop rapport with clients following establishing a need for change existsExpress empathy while diagnosing clients problemsMotivate interest among clients to achieve goalsEnsure that recommendations based on client need are in place in order to influence behavior changeReinforce messages to clients who have confirmed adoption in the innovation-decision process and thereby stabilize behaviorSupport and develop the clients self-reliance for change

Recommended for the role of key change agent in the organization is the department chairperson who has also served as interim division head. In both of these roles she is highly respected and therefore would be ideal infacilitat[ing] the flow of innovations from a change agency to an audience of clients, which Rogers(2003) argued is necessary(p. 368). The second recommendation for key change agent is the Director of Student Success. The current department chair/ former interim division head and Director of Student Success possess a high degree of expertise9Key Change Agents cont. Innovators and early adopters of blogging will likely include members of the social system who are tuned in professionally and personally to social networking.

Key change agents are innovators and early adopters of blogging. They will likely include members of the social system who are tuned in professionally and personally to social networking. Often they have personal wikis and blogs.10Audience Segmentation: Moving Key Change Agents toward adoption Strategies in garnering support from Innovators and Early Adopters include: Compile a clique of innovators from different geographical regions to network and open the communication channels Engage innovators in the diffusion process Increase awareness of the soundness and credibility of the innovation.

In order to garner support from Innovators and Early Adopters we will compile a clique of innovators from different geographical areas and regions to network and open the communication channels. Also we will engage innovators in the diffusion process and increase awareness of the soundness and credibility of the innovation. 11Resistance to Change We must change the minds of these laggards who will reject the innovation primarily because they would rather hold on to the status quo and keep things as they are. They are tied to the past and the social circle they operate within in the social system is small and contains like-minded individuals, all of whom are suspicious of change.

Many in the institution will be resistant to change. We must change their minds. We must change their minds under construction, these laggards who will reject the innovation primarily because they would rather hold on to the status quo and keep things as they are. They are tied to the past and the social circle they operate within in the social system is small . Many of them are like-minded individuals who are suspicious of change.

12Audience Segmentation: Combating Resistance

We expect there will be resistance to the innovation, adoption that is. And in order to move laggards toward adoption, we will be proactive and address limitations of innovations previously adopted, increase social networking, create awareness and knowledge of the innovation, increase confidence that the innovation will be successful, and remove most uncertainty about the innovations performance

13Attributes of Innovations These combination of perceived attributes would be best for helping blogging meet critical mass.Relative advantageCompatibilityTrialabilityObservability

Innovations must be perceived as being better than previously introduced and tried innovations; otherwise, the innovation may be viewed as just another wave if technology. Rogers (2003) that relative advantage can be seen profitable and possibly demonstrate an edge---a kind of prestige. When an innovation is perceived as congruent with the philosophical beliefs of the social system Rogers (2003) contended this too aides in the rate of adoption. Rogers (2003) added that the sociocultural values and beliefs, previously introduced ideas, and/or client need for the innovation all contribute to the degree to which an innovation is perceived as compatible (p. 240). According to Rogers (2003) when an innovation can be experimented with, the members of that social system can try it out and not only work through their skepticism about the innovation, but also find out how it works for their environment. Rogers (2003) argued that the when results are visible to others and they can be easily observed as well as communicated to the community of users, it positively impacts the rate of adoption. 14Centralized or Decentralized

A centralized approach to adoption of blogging to the Board of Directors is recommended for the following reasons Rogers (2003) outlined, although he noted that diffusion systems usually contain some elements of both centralization and de-centralization, creating a hybrid system:Members of the social system will share the power of diffusion which also allows for diffusion that may be unplanned and spontaneous; Diffusion will be the result of user experimentation, typically from non-experts; Innovations will diffuse among peers through horizontal networks; Decisions on which innovations will be diffused will be determined by informal evaluations at the local level ; The diffusion process will be driven by the needs and problems of clients. Rogers defined this as a problem-centered approach (p. 296).

15Critical Mass

Because blogging has not met critical mass; it is not self-sustaining, three strategies for achieving critical mass will be used. First, decision makers and highly influential individuals will be targeted for initial adopters. Secondly, incentives will be provided to early adopters. Finally, the innovation will be introduced to a sampling or selected group of members of the social system who generally embraced new innovations.

16Role of the ChampionStudents have already embraced blogging. They are championing the idea.

Rogers (2003) argued that champions can be influential with others. These students have emerged as leaders in their classes, so their interpersonal and negotiating skills are honed and they have a natural knack for understanding and influencing their peers.

17Defining the Need for BloggingThe number of students who unsuccessfully complete each section of Freshmen Composition, failing to earn a grade of C or better is on the riseThe number of students who receive an I or W, incomplete or withdraw, although few gains have been noted, this number is far too many

The number of students who do not successfully complete , that is with a C or better, beginning English courses is on the rise. In the same, vein, the number of students who receive an I or W, incomplete or withdraw, although few gains have been noted, this number is far too many

18Matching Blogging to the NeedLike pieces of a puzzle, blogging in Literature and Composition classes fits. It provides students with a sense of confidence in reading, thinking, and writing.When students have more confidence in their abilities, they have a meaningful learning experience.This translates into more students remaining in the class, thereby reducing the number of incompletes, withdrawals, and failures

We must match blogging to the need, and like pieces of a puzzle, blogging in Literature and Composition classes fits. It provides students with a sense of confidence in reading, thinking, and writing. When students have more confidence in their abilities, they have a meaningful learning experience.This translates into more students remaining in the class, thereby reducing the number of incompletes, withdrawals, and failures

19Persuading all Adopters

Data on student performance in Louisiana shows that students fell behind the national average in Writing, Science, Math and Reading by a margin of 7 to 10 points in each subject, substantiating both NAEP and the state's Report Card. In Writing the national average was 154, in Science 147, in Reading 261, and in Math 282, while the states averages were 147, 138, 253, and 272 respectively.

20Persuading AdoptersWith this in mind, and a critical eye towards student performance, lets watch the video as students express how blogging has honed their writing skills while increasing their skills in reading, analyzing, and critical thinking.

Who better to show the impact of bloggingthe students. The YouTube video begins.21Student Champions--Qualitative Research Their individual stories collectively provide anecdotal evidence that blogging can greatly increase how students engage with text and ultimately how they engage in the writing process.

This is all the evidence that is needed. Their individual stories collectively provide anecdotal evidence that blogging can greatly increase how students engage with text and ultimately how they engage in the writing process.22ConclusionAs previously mentioned, we must encourage students to actively participate and be an essential component of planning, implementing, and navigating the wheel through their academic journeyIn essence students must take control for what they learn and how well they learn it in order to meet educational learning objectives.Blogging is one way to do that. Students can then meet their goals, and with this intended outcome, be a catalyst for change (Rasheed, 2012).

In conclusion Id like to leave you with this thought, we must encourage students to actively participate and be an essential component of planning, implementing, and navigating the wheel through their academic journey. They must take control for what they learn and how well they learn it. They must meet learning objectives. Blogging is one way to do that. 23Wake up Everybody--Time to teach a new wayFade to black with audioWake up EverybodyNo more backwards thinking time for thinking aheadLets teach them the very best we can

Wake Up Everybody. Its time to teach a new way

24ReferencesBloch, J. (2007). Abdullah's blogging: A generation 1.5 student enters the blogosphere. Language Learning & Technology, 11(2), 128-141. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/vol11num2/bloch/default.htmlDuffy, Peter and Bruns, Axel (2006) The Use of Blogs, Wikis and RSS in Education: A Conversation of Possibilities. In Proceedings Online Learning and Teaching Conference 2006, pp. 31-38, Brisbane. Accessed from http://eprints.qut.edu.au Fellner, T., & Apple, M. (2006). Developing writing fluency and lexical complexity with blogs. The JALT CALL Journal, 2(1), 15-26. Rezaee, A. A., & Oladi, S. (2008). The effect of blogging on language learners' improvement in social interactions and writing proficiency. Iranian Journal of Language Studies, 2(1), 73-88. Richardson, W. (2006) Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin PressShale, D. 1988. Toward a reconceptualization of distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education 2 (3): 25-35.Rogers, E.M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations. (5th ed.). New York, NY. Free Press.

References cont.Teachers first home, 2007. Blogs basic for the classroom. The source for learning Inc. Retrieved January 31, 2014. From http://legacy.teachersfirst.com/content/blog/blogbasics.cfmThomas, M. J. W. (2002). Learning within incoherent structures: The space of online discussion forums. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 18, 351366.U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). National assessment of educational progress: Nations report card [Data file]. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). Annual reports program [Data file]. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/Annual Reports/U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). K-12 practitioners circle [Data file]. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/practitioners/ U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics. (2010). State education data profiles [Data file]. Retrieved from http://nces.ed.gov/programs/stateprofiles/Warschauer, M. (2010). Invited commentary: new tools for teaching writing. Language Learning & Technology, 14(1), 3-8.

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