Visual communication in online education study of high school science weblogs and websites

Abstract

Web 1.0 in its wake reshaped just about every important realm of modern life. The transition from read-only web to read-write web or Web 2.0 further ushered in a new league of interactive applications which encourage publishing of one s own content and providing feedback to others content using the new and easily accessible technologies including digital video, discussion boards, podcasting, blogging, mobile phone photography, wikis, virtual classrooms, etc. Weblogs or Blogs enjoy more popularity amongst the online community for the features and immediate audience they offer. In fact, Weblogs can be integrated into teaching-learning process as they encourage learners to collaborate and freely voice their ideas, offering an environment central to the constructivist theory in education. EduBlogs (educational blogs) are also suitable for self-directed learning as they can be worked on at virtually any time, in any place with an Internet-enabled computer. The technology is relatively simple to set up and administer. Hence, they can also be used by computer savvy teachers to create a classroom that extends beyond the boundaries of the schoolyard. For the above purpose and also since not much research is available on the aesthetics and appeal of the weblogs, this study shall predominantly focus on the Visual Communication elements like layout, typography, colour, imagery, animation, etc. in science related Edublogs for the high school students (Grades IX to XII), studied in context of their host websites. As science education involves a lot of research and experimentation, it would be ideal to study such weblogs and websites as they could offer interesting and innovative use of visual communication elements to make the subject more engaging and comprehensible. Also, at high school level (around age 13 to 18), it is assumed that the level of exploration of technology as an aid in learning would be more and the interaction with its users regarding its utility would be more forthcoming. Websites and Weblogs are two o