Using Blogs to Connect Theory and Practice

Who: University of North Florida What: Blogs

Objective: Facilitate the integration of experiential learning and guided reflection into the curriculum while increasing flexibility and efficiency in organizing multiple students.

Process: Following the implementation of Campus Pack, the School of Nursing developed a standardized blogging format to help students connect theory to practice. Students were coached on how to use their journaling time most efficiently and individual faculty members determined if the blogs would be closed, allowing input from only instructors and community partners, or open, to foster dialogue between classmates. In either case, community partners involved in the students’ field work had access to an online course system and therefore access to Campus Pack and the students’ entries.

Results: Everyone involved in a group was able to share presentations, access resources and internet links, and plan activities. Campus Pack also provided campus partners with another vehicle for connecting with the students, beyond their hours spent in the field. The partners also found that reviewing student reflections about their field work served as an unexpected way to evaluate their own staff in how they work and develop relationships with the nursing students. With the nursing pilot a success, the University of North Florida has expanded the use of Campus Pack across the University.

Read the expanded University of North Florida case study (PDF).