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graphics, images, audio as well as video aforesaid variables, it was also pointed
content. out by the respondents that blogging
contributed to their personal and
There is a growing body of literature on
using Blogs as an effective pedagogical professional development as well.
tool (Churchill 2009; Stiler and Philleo The study by Katia Ciampa and Tiffany
2003). Using blogs, podcasts, wikis have L. Gallagher (2015) revealed that the use
enabled students to showcase their of blogs to promote collective inquiry
creativity with the help of technology by teachers has both advantages and
(Mapuva, Stoltenkamp, & Muyengwa, challenges. The blog was seen by the
2010). Using blogs for teaching and participants in this study as a platform to
learning a.k.a. educational blogging is promote the exchange of information,
not a new phenomenon but in India, it teaching methods, and appraisal
is still in its infancy stage. practices, as well as networking
between colleagues. Teachers who were
To start using a new technology, one
should have the knowledge of that reserved, introverted, and reflective
technology. With this aim in mind, were more likely to benefit from blogs.
researchers of this study have created Participants faced some challenges
a Digital Self Learning Material (SLM) on too. These included low amounts of
Blogging which gives learners theoretical perceived utility and perceived ease of
as well as practical knowledge of use, lack or inadequate amount of in-
blogging. service teacher training on the use of
the blog, time constraints, technological
problems, etc.
Literature Review
The use of blogs as a reflective platform
The concept of Blogging is not new.
This technology took birth in the 1990s in the training processes of English as a
but it progressed slowly especially in Foreign Language (EFL) student teachers
India. When the talk is about the role of from Taiwan was explored by Shih-Hsien
Blogging in pedagogical practices, it is Yang (2009). These student teachers
yet to blossom here. Some international were learning English as a requirement
studies which highlight the usefulness for their future employment. They used
of Blogging for Teachers and Students blogs to critically reflect on their learning
have been mentioned below. Blogging processes and for their professional
will take time to establish its role in growth.
Indian Education context. Researchers The noteworthiness of blogging in pre-
of this study intend to contribute to this service teachers' professional learning
direction. was also found by Keith Turvey and
Mike Hayler (2017) in their study. They
Sevilay Cirak Kurt and Ibrahim Yildirim
(2021) in their research study explored found this practice significant in two
the role of blogging on the reflective ways - firstly, through its potential for
thinking and self- efficacy of pre-service collaboration and secondly, through
teachers and in addition to confirming its compatibility with a narrative
the positive role of blogging on the conception of professional learning.

Indian Journal of Educational Technology 231
Volume 3, Issue 2, July 2021