Understanding the experience of blogging as an aid to work-related learning

Abstract

This paper provides an examination of the experience of blogging as an aid to work-related learning. It explores whether learners identify learning opportunities and examines whether blogs provide an enhanced learning experience through collaborative learning. The primary research is a small scale study that explores the online learning experience of final year undergraduates undertaking a work related project with a small business. A brief literature review of blogging and storytelling to assist in collaborative learning and reflection is provided. Findings reveal that learners can identify learning opportunities in their blogs and recognise opportunities to learn from others. The paper concludes that although the research indicates that blogs can support collaborative learning, this may not be in an interactive collaborative sense. It also highlights that learners’ personal technologies offered more opportunities for interactive collaborative learning online.