Peer Review

Blogs as a Learning Tool

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Feb 3, 2026 by Faculty Development

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:

Blogs as a Learning Tool is an instructional blog that examines the use of blogging as a pedagogical strategy to enhance learning, reflection, and student engagement. The material explains how blogs function as platforms for critical thinking, personal expression, and collaborative learning across educational contexts. It highlights the instructional benefits of blogging, including learner voice, metacognition, and authentic audience engagement. The resource is accessible, adaptable, and well suited for educators seeking practical strategies for integrating digital writing into their teaching practice.

Type of Material:

Educational blog Instructional support resource Faculty development/teaching strategies material.

Recommended Uses:

Instructor, professional development
Supplemental reading for education, pedagogy, or instructional design courses
Individual self-paced learning
Classroom discussion or reflection prompts
Support material for blogging or reflective writing assignments

Technical Requirements:

Modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge), Internet access, No special software, plug-ins, or logins required.

Identify Major Learning Goals:

Understand how blogs can be used as effective learning tools.
Recognize the role of blogging in reflection, critical thinking, and communication.
Learn how blogging supports collaboration and active learning.
Able to apply blogging strategies in educational or professional contexts.

Target Student Population:

College General Ed, Professional

College and university instructors
K–12 educators
Instructional designers
Education and teacher-preparation students
Faculty exploring technology-enhanced learning strategies

Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Basic computer and internet navigation skills
Familiarity with learning or teaching environments
No prior experience with blogging platforms required

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: The content is clearly written, accurate, and pedagogically sound. It reflects widely accepted instructional practices related to reflective learning, student engagement, and digital literacy. The blog format allows the material to be reused across disciplines, educational levels, and teaching modalities, aligning well with MERLOT standards for adaptable learning resources.
Concerns:: The material relies more on pedagogical explanations than on explicit citations of empirical research. While appropriate for its format and purpose, additional references could further strengthen its scholarly grounding.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: This learning material is highly effective as a supplemental instructional resource. It can be easily integrated into courses that emphasize reflective learning, writing-to-learn strategies, or digital pedagogy. I would use this resource to introduce blogging assignments, frame reflective activities, or support discussions on learner-centered instructional design.
Concerns:: Learning objectives and assessment strategies are implicit rather than explicitly stated. Instructors may need to pair the resource with locally developed assignments or rubrics to formally measure student learning outcomes

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: The blog is intuitive, easy to navigate, and accessible to users with varying levels of technical experience. Its straightforward layout supports readability and minimizes barriers to use. The design's simplicity enhances usability and aligns well with universal access principles.
Concerns:: The visual design is intentionally minimal. While functional and accessible, additional visual structure or multimedia elements could further enhance engagement for some learners.

Other Issues and Comments:: Blogs as a Learning Tool is a strong example of a concise, reusable instructional resource that supports active learning and reflective pedagogy. Its flexibility and clarity make it particularly valuable for educators seeking practical strategies for integrating digital writing tools into their courses.
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