Using blogs as a means of enhancing reflective Teaching Practice in open distance learning ecologies

Reflection is an important concept or principle that is fundamental in the interpretation of new information, and is also required if learning is to advance from surface to deep learning. The purpose of this article is to explore the use of blogs as an e-learning journal writing tool for reflection and peer-feedback during Teaching Practice placement at school. In this context, ‘blogs’ refer to social media networking and online support for Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) students, who were learning to teach Economics and Management Science in Open Distance Learning (ODL) environments. A ‘blog space’ on myUnisa for subject didactics students was created during Teaching Practice placements. Student teachers were encouraged to post their views on the blog space (using the blog space as a communicative platform) with a view to critically reflecting on their learning processes and in order to share their Teaching Practice experiences. The data collected was qualitative in nature, consisting of student teachers’ journal writing reflections and comments on the blog. Findings indicated that the use of blogs enhances student teachers’ reflective Teaching Practice in open and distance learning ecologies throughout this study.