Blog Assignment 5

Blog Assignment 5

1. The expectations for the blog assignments were very different compared to writing a traditional essay. Before when I wrote traditional essays in my other classes, discussing both points of view on an issue wasn’t necessarily a requirement. In a critical thinking class though, it’s necessary to discuss the varying opinions on a topic, for that is what critical thinking is all about. Having to consider not only my stand on a topic, but also the opposing sides stand, helped me learn to not think so close mindedly. Another thing that was different for me when doing the blog assignments was that I never felt the anxiety and fear before writing as I usually do with traditional essays. Writing in a blog helped me to relax and form my thoughts with ease, without the pressure to achieve perfection I usually feel when writing a traditional essay.

2. Yes, I felt that the blog assignments and the assignment to create a blog related to the class topics and course objectives. All of the different topics we had to chose from had been discussed previously in class, which was very helpful in writing the essay. In class, everyone was encouraged to discuss their own differing opinions about a topic they could write about in the next blog assignment, which allowed us to go into the assignment feeling more prepared and knowledgeable about a certain topic. For example, I had no idea that there was even a controversy over whether students should be able to site Wikipedia or not. During unit three’s class discussion, I was introduced to this issue, and heard the different point of views of whether they should be able to or not. This helped me feel very prepared when writing the blog assignment 3 because I was more familiar with the topic. One of the class objectives was to become more familiar with technology, and the blog assignments helped achieved this objective. I had never had a blog before, and now I feel very comfortable and enjoy using a blog to write.

3. The non-text elements of the blog program allowed me to become more familiar with how to use pictures, videos, and music just as effectively as text. The Animoto assignment was a fun and interesting new way to advertise our beliefs and ideas, and our blogs were capable of posting these Animoto videos. Without the blog, I never would have learned how to use and create the video. The blog program also taught me how to research more efficiently. The required hyperlinks to the source of our information showed me what to look for when researching, and how to tell the difference between a reliable and unreliable source. Researching is much easier for me now, and I know what to look for now searching for specific information.