ERIC Number: EJ1147069
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jun
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2013-9144
EISSN: N/A
Using Blogs to Improve Professional Competencies among Undergraduate Students
Rosselló, Maria; Pinya, Carme
Digital Education Review, n31 p20-38 Jun 2017
Advances in information and communication technologies, and the introduction of competency-based educational approaches promoted as a result of the participation of universities in the construction of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are demanding urgent changes in teaching methodologies and in the role of students. In this context the article proposes and assesses how blogs can become a useful learning tool for the acquisition of professional competencies. Students were asked, after opening a personal blog, to introduce the activities carried out in class as well as their reflections on the Practicum period, and to use labels as an element of self-reflection on the degree of acquisition of the competencies worked on. In order to assess the experience, a self-report questionnaire was used, which was completed by 82 students. This information is complemented with an analysis of the contents published in the blogs. Among the results obtained it is worth highlighting that students did not always have extensive knowledge of blogs as a technological tool, a fact that must not be overlooked if blogs are to be included in university courses. The study also showed that participating students valued blogs as a valid instrument for the acquisition of professional competencies, were satisfied with the teaching-learning-teaching process achieved, and recommended their use at university level. Highlights: Blogs are a support to reflect on the acquisition of professional competencies. The use of labels gives guidance to students on the acquisition of their competencies. Blogs have potential benefits as interactive and communicative tools. Feedback from teachers helps students increase their professional competencies.
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Electronic Publishing, Web Sites, Diaries, Competence, Practicums, Technology Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Competency Based Education, Hypothesis Testing, Student Attitudes, Mixed Methods Research, Preservice Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education, Foreign Countries, Questionnaires, Personal Autonomy, Reflection, Program Effectiveness, Knowledge Level, Technical Support
Universitat de Barcelona. Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 171, Edifici Llevant P3, Barcelona, 08035 Spain. e-mail: der@greav.net; Web site: http://greav.ub.edu/der
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A