Using forums/blogs/wikis to facilitate learning: A summary

When you work with VLEs/LMSs you deal extensively with the text-based communication tools that exist in all systems. The 3 biggies are the discussion/forum tool, the blog/journal tool and the wiki tool. Explaining how each can be used to facilitate learning within learning activities is a key challenge for the Learning Technologist. What's really important is that you articulate clearly the subtle differences between these tools and what their pedagogical affordances are.

Here are my attempts to sum things up:

Discussion/forum tool

Use the asynchronous online discusssion tool for engaging students in a text-based dialogue:

to facilitate a meaningful learning dialogue amongst students
to develop students‘ written communication skills
to allow time and space for tutors and students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when engaging in a dialogue
to flexibly engage with students

Blog/journal tool

Use the blog/journal tool:

to facilitate reflection amongst students
to facilitate individual feedback from tutor to student through private journal/blog structures
to develop students‘ written communication skills
to allow time and space for students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when reflecting on their learning
to flexibly engage with students

Wiki tool

Use the wiki tool for co-construct text:

to facilitate collaboration amongst students the editing and refining of eachothers words within a group project context
to facilitate co-operation amongst students through the allocation of tasks within a group project context
to allow time and space for students articulate clearly and thoughtfully when writing on a particular topic

There's much more to it of course. However, I'm trying to summarise here and give the key messages. I welcome the views of others.

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Comment by Clarita Thomas on March 4, 2012 at 4:35am: Very good summary Tom. You have cleared up some of the concerns that I had about these ICT tools. Since the teachers in my country are on the verge of integrating these tools in the classroom, your tips will be of great help. Thanks for the information.