Guidelines for using Blogs & Wikis
NEW PRODUCT | Owen Michaels-Hardy, Manager TOL2, TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute
TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute (NSI) teachers are showing great interest and enthusiasm for using blogs and wikis to support educational delivery. The results of the early adopters have been encouraging. Teachers and learners seem to be empowered through the technology using their blogs or wikis to publish and collaborate with more enthusiasm than what is usually achieved using traditional web forums and bulletin boards.
At the same time however, there has also been concern from managers about this uptake - whether it is safe and sustainable. Views have been expressed that an explicit procedure is needed to manage the risk that teachers or learners may compromise existing laws or policies through participation as members of these communities. There is particular concern that a teacher may compromise their duty of care for learners less than 18 years of age.
The Teaching & Learning Performance & Development (TLPD) unit, (part of the NSI Institute Business Support (IBS) division), believes that teachers and learners should be provided with appropriate technological tools that support the learning being undertaken. So if blogs or wikis are the most appropriate tools to effect delivery, these should be available within a framework that minimises risk.
In response to this need, TLPD has developed guidelines (see below) to inform teachers regarding the merits and risks of using blogs and wikis. In developing the guidelines TLPD sought advice from Anne Bartlett-Bragg of UTS, TAFE NSW Flexible Learning Coordinators, the Centre for Learning Innovation (CLI) and ICVET as well as various teachers and managers in NSI and other Institutes.
During October 2006 the current guidelines were produced in draft form. To date teacher feedback has been very positive, though further suggestions are welcome. The guidelines are available on a wiki for you to read and add your comments.
The Flexible Learning Coordinators have supported the idea of the guidelines being proposed for adoption by TAFE NSW and it is hoped that this will occur during Semester 1 2007 with the assistance of TAFE Teaching and Learning Support Services.
Guidelines for Using Blogs & Wikis
See Also
Blogs | A-Z Resources