EEI's and blogging a perfect match?

I was introduced to Extended Experimental Investigation's (EEI) when I observed my first senior biology class. Basically the students are required to design an experiment completely of their choosing but it needed to somehow relate to Biology and have relevance to the 'real world'. Student's were allowed to work in small groups or work on their own to carry out the experiment and write up of results. WOW, was my first reaction what a great concept, students get to choose their own experiment to carry out, which needs to relate to real life and are in complete control of how, when and where. The teacher is there to help when asked but the students have complete control of their learning. Isn't this the type of work that all the literature wants students to undertake??? Engagement theory for one Relate, create and donate, its all there (Kearsley & Shneiderman. 1999).

I started thinking about EEI's and how you could incorporate ICT's into them, the majority of the students used Internet research to find information about their projects but I was sure there had to be more. I then discovered that as part of this assessment the students were required to keep a running record or journal of the investigation. Didn't bells go off then..... what type of Internet based technology would be great for that, where students could document their learning pathways and teachers could monitor this and leave comments or perhaps give a few ideas..... The humble blog. I was so excited by the whole prospect that I mentioned it to the Head of Department (HOD), Tony Muller, why couldn't students use a blog to make a journal of the process that the teacher could monitor and make comments when required? He advised that he also thought that it was a great idea and had in fact implemented a similar idea not long ago.... however, and there is always a however..... what about students who don't have access to the Internet at home, is it fair that these students should be disadvantaged? Needless to say a rather lengthy conversation ensured about have and have not's, Socioeconomic diversity and what could be done. I can't say we came up with a definitive answer but why couldn't this also be a students choice, a choice to write a blog for those who would learn better this way, a journal on the computer or handwritten in a diary or similar for those who would benefit from less technology based learning? Students are then allowed the choice of what would better suit their learning capabilities to get the best outcome and further develop their skills.

References

Kearsley, G & Shneiderman, B. (1999) Engagement Theory: A Framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved on 10 April 2010 from http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm