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Module 01: Creating an Academic Blog

In this module, I have learned the numerous ways to create blogs. They can be created thanks to a plethora of web builders. Wix and Blogger are the class's favorite; almost two-thirds of my classmates use the latter. A few opted for WordPress but quickly found difficulties with editing the layout of the page. Unlike them, I experimented with all three and found that Blogger is the most optimal. I can see why the majority of my class prefer it; Blogger is a quick and simple solution for bloggers. What it lacks in features, it more than makes up in ease of use. After my experience with web builders, I concluded that blogs need to be minimalist. They do not need complicated features to captivate readers' minds. The reason is that most readers only care about the actual content of the blog. Therefore, we would be better off with a plain simple platform like Blogger.

Additionally, I figured that not every element needs to be present on the blog. Some may be omitted on purpose. For example, some blogs deliberately turn off the comment sections to avoid bad actors voicing negative or unrelated topics. In contrast, blogs, such as Class Blog or Learner Blog, that are built to have students actively engaging need many, if not all, interactive elements. They can be polls or charts updated in real time.

Personally, I have never tried blogging because I thought it was mainly for ranting - something that can be done on Facebook. I am not a person who usually shares their thoughts on a virtual landscape or any landscape. However, after this lesson, I realize that there are loads of benefits to blogging that I have never heard of. One of the most beneficial aspects of a blog is the fact that it can be used to communicate with parents. Should I want to convey the content of lessons to parents, I can make a post to notify them of the progress. Normally, this is done on Zalo by almost every school or center. However, Zalo messages can be cluttered after some time, whereas blogs are categorized and organized systematically. Therefore, it is easier for parents to keep track of their children's studies on blogs. I believe I will utilize this method in the near future.

On a final note, I am now fully inspired by blogs and its features. I am also intrigued by this course - Internet in Language Teaching, and I will continue my journaling and share my thoughts with others.

Thank you for reading! 



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Location: Hanoi, Vietnam

Comments

  1. Đình Hoàn5 February 2024 at 01:06

    I think it's amazing that you are starting to see the benefits of blogging, especially to your teaching! I also agree that Blogger is so much easier to use than other platforms. I hope to see you giving blogging a try in the future, you might find it pretty interesting!

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  2. Hà Tú5 February 2024 at 01:19

    Hi Công, it's interesting that you made a survey to find out which platforms are your classmates' favourite. I think your blog is very well organized, with colors that go well together. You must have a good sense of style. It is also fascinating that you pointed out the weaknesses of Zalo or Messengers.

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  3. Ms. Khanh Huyen5 February 2024 at 05:52

    Hello Công, it's a pleasure to peruse through your blog partly because the mint color eases my mind a lot. For the most part, your blog is so informative that I can have the second chance to review the key points of the previous lesson. In addition, I pay special attention to your comments about Zalo and Blogger. I think it's reasonable to some extent but in my circumstances, some of my students' parents are senior people, so they tend to refuse to try new things like Blogger. Therefore, subjectively, Blogger is not a one-size-fits-all website, is it?

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