Some characteristics of blogs are that they are an organizing unit, include date and time, allow for chronological order, hyperlinks to different sites, the ability to reference to another work or blog, the ability to find keywords throughout a blog in order to find your specific interest, and finally the ability to comment or receive comments in order to make for conversation.
2. What are they useful for?
Blogs are useful in the fact that they allow a wide audience to join and/or view a specific blog. They can be useful in the classroom; with the ability for students to interact with each other outside the classroom, as updates; allowing companies or schools to notify people of upcoming events, or to simply allow someone to express their free opinion.
3. How are blog posts a distinctive type of writing?
Blog posts are definitely a distinctive type of writing because they allow the writer to write absolutely whatever they want. There is no specific genre or format to follow; allowing the writer to express their opinions or thoughts while allowing constructive criticism through the comment option. Not only can opinion be contained within this but hyperlinks to support opinions can be included within the blog post as well.
4. How might blogging be an effective extension of learning in class?
I think blogging would be very effective in a classroom setting because, as mentioned above, it allows interaction from almost any location. Sometimes people are more shy than others and don't get out what they need to get out in class; blogging can be used for just that, to express opinion through writing. Another reason for blog learning would be to stay connected and possibly find stories, articles, or short clips that support or relate to the discussions within class.
