Self-directed learning (SDL), the process where the student is responsible for organizing and managing their own learning activities and needs (Segen’s Medical Dictionary, 2011); is at the foundation of most adult learning programs. Among the considerable number of choices for such learning are Canvas discussion boards and blogs.
Canvas
· By using Groups and
Discussions, instructors can create private student
journals that only the student and the instructor have access to (Haseley,
2014).
· Canvas is a Learning
Management System (LMS) that:
o
helps educators create a favorable learning environment for
students
o
helps students to interact and engage with their teachers.
o
supports In-person, Online as well as Blended learning. (Muthoni,
2022)
Blog
· Students
can feel a sense of connectedness and management over their personal expression
element of sharing information. (Witte, 2007).
· Expanded
thinking, competency development, and interconnectedness emerged as themes
through a collaborative process (Bush et al., 2019).
· Blogging can be used to increase participation, deepen learning, and deepen course content understanding/connection for students (Haseley, 2014).
Several similarities exist for the self-directed student’s participation activities in blogging and discussion boards. The foundational functions and activities involved are parallel comparatively. Both offer organizational elements, material management as well as connectivity to classmates and educators (among others). Personally, I view blogs as more relaxed, reflective and fun learning enhancement. Whereas, I tend to see Canvas as the more professional and educational/assignment driven side of the learning process.
What do you think? Do you see blogs as a fun learning enhancement
and Canvas as the educational delivery method? Please share your comments below.
References:
Bush, S. A., Seibel, M. M., Corkins, C. R., &
Elliott-Engel, J. (2019). Evaluating the Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining
Results (VALOR) Program: Blogs as a reflection process. Journal of
Agricultural Education, 60(1), 268–282. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2019.01268
Haseley, H. (2014, December 2). Sharing
student stories: Blogging and journaling in Canvas. Northwestern University.
https://canvaspost.northwestern.edu/2014/12/02/student-blog-and-journal/
Self-directed learning. (n.d.) Segen's Medical Dictionary. (2011). Retrieved September 5, 2022 from https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/self-directed+learning
Muthoni, J. (2022, April 11). Canvas
vs. Moodle: A comparison. https://jonasmuthoni.com/blog/canvas-vs-moodle/
Witte, S. (2007). That’s online writing, not boring school
writing: writing with blogs and the Talkback Project. Journal of Adolescent
& Adult Literacy, 51(2). https://go-gale-com.er.lib.k-state.edu/EAIM&u=ksu&id=GALE|A170234041&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-EAIM&asid=5b39f19d
Thank you! I had fun exploring the videos and how-to's( so many more to see). I think there is such an enormous amount of resources available to the self-directed learner that we are scratching the surface of it with the blog vs. canvas.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts about blogging and self-directed learning! I agree that blogging has a more "fun" aesthetic and that Canvas seems more structured and professional. Although I suppose a blog could be more professional depending on the layout and content! I do agree that blogs are more reflective than Canvas. Blogs give us a platform to really view ourselves and others in a different light. We are able to express ourselves with honesty and that authenticity helps us to connect and reflect. Thank you for your thoughtful response!
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ReplyDeleteMegan, I feel like the platforms both have so much to offer the self-directed learning. For instance, as a SDL I am having to learn how to use blogs, where to go to find support for my questions, change themes, etc. Finding the answers to what some may find as second nature is not always so for me. Its like and excavation of information to be sought out and unearthed.
ReplyDeleteI agree, blogs are a fun learning enhancement tool! I do believe it can depend on the content and if the educator is giving the learner specific prompts to work from. I believe blogs can be a very value tool in that they promote critical thinking, situational learning, and an increased sense of ownership from the learner. Due to them being viewed as more "fun" than perhaps a discussion post, motivation from the learner is likely to be high as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love these steps for a self-directed. There is much more responsibility that falls on the learner than simply being motivated to learn. I appreciate how you highlighted managing time and resources. Adult learners are typically very busy people, and if learning is not managed and prioritized, there is a good change it will not happen. I also like that you highlighted taking time for reflection. This is such an important process in the way adults learn; however, no instruction can force the learner to do so. They must engage in the reflective process on their own and form connections to past experiences to grow.
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