Emerging Issues in the Utilization of Weblogs in Higher Education Classrooms

This paper examines the emerging issues in the utilization of weblogs in Philippine higher education and how these issues affect the performance of students. This study used a modified Delphi method. The Delphi panel consisted of 12 experts in the integration of technology, particularly blogs, in their teaching. The study yielded the following issues: (a) limited time and access to computer and Internet; (b) tedious preparation, maintenance and management of blogs; (c) technological difficulties of students; (d) low level of interaction among students; (e) digression in comments posted; and (f) not used to online teaching. These issues may curb the optimized benefit of weblogs as a teaching-learning tool. The results of this study also highly recommend the use of standardized assessment tools for richer academic contributions of weblog activities. The study presents enlightening insights on the place and function of blogging in the academe. Learning is eclectic. It is not confined inside the four walls of the classroom. In our contemporary time, there are other unconventional learning platforms that teachers may explore and utilize to make learning meaningful for students. Tong and Trinidad (2005