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 education-al technology resource. Hence, this study’s objective is to investigate the students’ perception of blogs and the blog usage patterns from the educa-tional aspect. Eighteen samples were chosen purposively in this study. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The research instru-ments were questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and students’ blogs. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the data collected was an-alysed descriptively and thematically. The results revealed the positive outcomes of students’ perceptions of blog aspects such as writing, reading and making comments. In terms of blog usage patterns, student frequencies in writing and sharing information in blogs 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 the students to be ac-tively involved in blogs. Therefore, rewards or marks need to be given as an encouragement to the students for them to continuously and actively use blogs for learning.