Question: Can we really challenge our students' critical thinking skills through blogging?

Yes, I believe we can challenge a students’ critical thinking by using blogs as a tool to express their work and ideas. Using this web 2.0 tool will give students a platform to engage in critical thinking by using traditional methods of writing to present to an authentic audience. According to (Solomon and Schrum, 2010) writing for an audience means critically thinking about ideas first and then writing the ideas so that others understand what is meant. To accomplish this, a student needs to develop a logical set of facts, ideas, and persuasive arguments. By using traditional steps which include brainstorming, prewriting, organizing, writing, editing, and revising, our students will be involved in creating thoughtful expressions of their own ideas (pp. 20-21). A web log is a great way for creativity and interaction between their peers. This feedback will provide useful communication and collaboration skills. Students will also be more conscious of what they are posting on a blog because it has the potential to be seen by not only the teacher and their peers, but individuals from around the world since it is online. Their writing is going to reflect the audience and they will develop a sense of reasoning that will make them more engaged in the learning process. Blogging is a relevant way for teachers to develop ongoing conversations about curriculum that the students are learning. This can help reinforce critical thinking about topics that are applicable and can be a creative way to help motivate students.

In summation, I believe that blogging is a great tool to help students challenge their critical thinking skills by providing ways to learn from their peers using ideas and technology that they will find relevant in future real-world scenarios. As educators successfully incorporating blogs using academic writing and reasoning is another way that students will develop essential skills to increase learning.