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Integrating Blogs in Primary Education

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Research on e-Learning and ICT in Education

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Abstract

The rapid development of technology and in particular the advancement of the Internet offered a different dimension in education. The use of various Web 2.0 tools (e.g., blogs, wikis) surpassed social contexts, “invading” the school environment. The current study evaluates blogs integration as tools within the teaching and learning process in primary school. It also examines the development of a Community of Inquiry (CoI) within a blended learning environment developed through blog-based and in-classroom activities. Specifically, it investigates the social, cognitive, and teaching presence within a CoI in a formal educational setting, where students use blog to achieve specific learning objectives. A mixed method approach was employed making use of quantitative (CoI questionnaire) and qualitative (blog and in-classroom observations) data. The results of the study reveal the development of a CoI through a blended learning environment and the potential of using blog as a tool to achieve specific learning objectives. Finally, the important role of the educator and the lesson’s design was also revealed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Primary Education, Frederick University, 7, Y. Frederickou Str., Pallouriotisa, Nicosia, 1036, Cyprus

    Nikleia Eteokleous-Grigoriou & Stella Photiou

Authors
  1. Nikleia Eteokleous-Grigoriou
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  2. Stella Photiou
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Correspondence to Nikleia Eteokleous-Grigoriou .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Charalampos Karagiannidis

  2. Department of Primary Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Panagiotis Politis

  3. Department of Pre-School Education, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece

    Ilias Karasavvidis

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Eteokleous-Grigoriou, N., Photiou, S. (2014). Integrating Blogs in Primary Education. In: Karagiannidis, C., Politis, P., Karasavvidis, I. (eds) Research on e-Learning and ICT in Education. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6501-0_9

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