Application of blogging for learner development

Abstract

Learner development depends to a great extent on language awareness which is not only a focus on language itself, but also a cognitive reflection upon language functions. Language awareness can be fostered by giving learners various choices in learning activities. The variety of choices stimulates learner interest and has a potential for learner development. This research addresses the application of the latest innovation of Information Communication Technology, which has been coined blogging, for fostering language awareness. A weblog, or blog for short, is a personal site that allows instant publishing online. An increasing interest to using blogs in education suggests their application in teaching / learning English. In this study, students created their own blogs and used them for accomplishing various activities. The implications of blog application in learner development have been discussed.