Most online instructors fall back on tried-and-true writing assignments and the LMS discussion forum to facilitate student engagement with material. But papers do not provide the opportunity for students to engage with other students on their ideas, and discussion forums track the conversation into pre-established directions. Blogs combine the best of both worlds. Like assignments, they allow students to write in depth about an issue, and like forums they allow students to discuss ideas with one another. Plus, blogs allow students to express themselves more personally because they are not focused on following formal rules of academic writing expected of papers. This can make for more authentic expression of the student’s thinking.
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