Blogging in Communication Training Institutes

BLOGGING AS AN E-LEARNING TOOL IN TERTIARY COMMUNICATION INSTITUTIONS IN GHANA: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

ABSTRACT

Dr. Hillar Addo:  LUCAS College, Accra. h.addo@lucas-college.net

Yaw O. Gyau: Snr. Lecturer/H.O.D Advertising. Faculty of Public Relations and Advertising, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Accra Ghana. styloconsult@gmail.com

  

This study investigated blogging as an e-learning tool and the level at which it is becoming a medium for teaching and learning in communication tertiary institutions in Ghana. The study considered four theories; e-learning/online learning models; constructivism, interactivism, and connectivism to provide a context for the use of instructional technology, focusing on communication training institutions in Ghana. Using a quantitative methodology, the study adopted multi-stage sampling procedure to respond to three propositions: 1. Students who have blog sites are more comfortable with lecturers who use blogging as an e-learning tool for teaching and learning. 2. There is a significant positive relationship between students with blog sites and Communication training Institutions that consider e-learning as a teaching and learning platform. 3. Having a blog site influences the career development of students from Communication training Institutions. Findings were that; tutors and learners casually use e-learning tools, majority of students and lecturers in communication training institutions in Ghana would appreciate utilising e-learning tools for the delivery of various learning modules, but it is sparingly, casually and occasionally used. The study also provided a new model within the context of active patronage of e-learning tools and blogging for teaching and learning in tertiary institutions in Ghana.

Keywords: E-learning, Constructivism, Connectivism, Interactivism, Blogging, Blogs, New Media, Tertiary Education

By:Yaw O. Gyau