Opinion Paper 3

Bill Ferriter’s “Learning with Blogs and Wikis” provides insight into the challenges that teachers encounter in obtaining benefit from professional development and offers blogs and wikis as a solution to these obstacles (2009). According to Ferriter, schools are not conducive to adult learning and are therefore stifling places for students to attempt to learn. Teachers have limited access to effective professional development that could allow them to adjust and adapt their teaching methods to better meet the needs of their students. This suppresses learning opportunities for students.

Blogs and wikis should rank high on a short list of solutions to the challenges standing in the way of effective professional development. Ferriter makes a compelling case for their accessibility, relevance, and ability to provide teachers with opportunities for collaboration. Since blogs can be sorted and easily viewed using RSS feeds, teachers can devote a small portion of their day to learning about new ideas and methods in teaching. This seems like a very practical way for teachers to further develop their craft. Blogs and wikis also represent a relevant source for teachers. They can be updated quickly and frequently, therefore, teachers are not reading months or years old material but rather, they are reading fresh ideas from professionals in their field. Ferriter also suggests that sharing RSS feeds and discussing the content of the posts with colleagues is a form of organic professional development. It is unique in that it does not have to be organized into weekly meetings, but rather short, thoughtful conversations about whether the new practices could be effective in their school and how the practices could be implemented.

Overall, Ferriter’s assertions about the benefits of blogs and wikis are catered to the schedule and professional routine of educators. This makes it more likely that the solutions are valid and will be accepted by teachers.

Ferriter, B. (2009, February). Learning with blogs and wikis. Educational Leadership, 66(5), Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Learning_with_Blogs_and_Wikis.aspx