The Middle Space: On Blogs and Beyond in Blended Learning

Abstract

As blended learning (BL) is becoming a new normal in the context of higher education, there is a growing need to attune pedagogies to this context. As reflective blogs were found to be supportive of pre-service student teachers’ (PSTs’) as well as teacher educators’ (TEs’) professional development, the current study aimed to explore PSTs’ and TEs’ perceptions regarding the potential of integrating blogs into the BL modality. Applying a qualitative approach, analyses of 528 PSTs’ blog posts, transcriptions of two focus groups with 11 PSTs, and 3 TEs’ reflections and discussion transcripts yielded four themes that related to both the PSTs’ and the TEs’ perspectives regarding the integration of blogs into BL: (1) keeping sequential learning, (2) supporting self-directed learning, (3) keeping a sense of a learning community, and (4) increasing motivation and critical thinking. Nevertheless, both the PSTs and TEs described unique roles for blogging in BL. The TEs indicated that blogs support a sense of control, reveal misconceptions, and model teaching, while the PSTs indicated that blogs increase or decrease self-confidence during BL. The implications pertain to the contribution of blogging in BL, as well as to the four pedagogical principles of effective BL design: (a) continuity in learning, (b) fostering autonomous learning, (c) building a learning community, and (d) reflectivity and professional development.