Students' perceptions and information-sharing patterns in learning authoring system course through blogging

Abstract

The use of blogs in teaching and learning has emerged as a useful educational technology resource. Hence, this study's main objective is to investigate the students’ perceptions and information-sharing patterns in learning computer science education through blogging. Eighteen samples were chosen purposively in this study. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data using questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and students’ blogs transcripts. The results revealed the positive outcomes of students’ perceptions of blog aspects, such as writing, reading, and making comments. In terms of information -sharing patterns, student frequencies in writing and sharing information through blogging were high when they were given tasks or activities that would be evaluated by an instructor. This showed that instructors play an important role in motivating students to be actively involved in blogging. Rewards or marks also need to be given as an encouragement to students for them to continuously and actively use blogs for learning purposes.