Blogs as a social networking tool to build community

Authors

Lisa K. Kervin, University of WollongongFollow
Jessica Mantei, University of WollongongFollow
Anthony J. HerringtonFollow

RIS ID

25357

Publication Details

Kervin, LK, Mantei, J and Herrington, AJ, Blogs as a social networking tool to build community, In Hatzipanagos, S & Warburton, S (Eds), Handbook of Research on Social Software and Developing Community Ontologies, 2009, p 238-253, Hershey, USA: Information Science Reference.

Abstract

This chapter examines blogging as a social networking tool to engage final year preservice teachers in reflective processes. Using a developed Web site, the students post their own blogs and comment upon those of others. The authors argue that opportunity to engage with this networking experience provides avenue for the students to consider their emerging professional identity as teachers. The blogging mechanism brought together the physical university context and virtual online environment as students identified, examined and reflected upon the intricacies of what it means to be a teacher. The authors hope that examining the findings that emerged from this research will inform other educators as to the affordances of blogging as a social networking tool.