Blogging: An Alternative Education Method

Blogging: An Alternative Education Method

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “A blog is a website that contains online personal reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks, videos, and photograph provided by the writer.” From the beginning of this activity, the purpose of keeping a blog was to follow up on class works, establishing a connection with the world we live in and the human behavior. Eventually, it became more than just a website to upload the assignments done in class. When it first started, I could not write with much fluidity as I constantly found myself overthinking everything, as it would be open for the public to read. On the other hand, it was beneficial as I was more aware of having good grammar and spelling, which made an improvement in my writing skills.

Furthermore, the blog became a space for me to share my reactions regarding the readings done in class and my experiences doing the different activities assigned. It also served as a method to voice my opinion, feelings, and ideas. Rather than answering questions about a certain topic, we were given the opportunity to elaborate our responses in a more open way. I found that uploading the work and including links to related sources was a fun technique of education that broke the monotony of writing an essay to be handed out.

Additionally, it made us analyze the material learned in class. Blogging was beneficial to me because it promoted critical thinking and let me express my feelings. This technique helped me get a deeper perspective and think about the relation the literary works had with my persona and the society we live in. For example, with The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, I looked past the events and gave thought to the feelings the black community felt at that time and the sacrifices they must have made to get their rights. Usually, we do not take the time to reflect what was learned in class; but with this blog, I did and found it to be a rewarding experience.

I believe that by sharing our thoughts and diverse points of view, we are able to make a difference. Incorporating the interdisciplinary view of this course helped me analyze and value different conflicts from a literary perspective and other disciplines to better understand ourselves, the world we live in and how it came to be. By sharing my opinion, I noticed that I was raising awareness of daily situations that not everyone dares to confront or cares enough to sit down and reflect on them. I hope to make others value the actions and sacrifices of our ancestors, dare to challenge themselves and try new ways of expressing their feelings. Moreover, I desire to open people’s eyes about everyday situations such as racism, denigration, and the many topics discussed in class regarding the human condition.

Video: Blogging in Higher Education