Blogging in the Classroom: Using WordPress Blogs with BuddyPress Plugin as a Learning Tool

Abstract

In an effort to speak the social media language of our students, better prepare them for today's advertising jobs and seek the helpful learning aspects of social media, three professors used WordPress blogs with 130 students one semester in three different advertising courses. Descriptions of how blogs were used to enhance student participation, engagement and skill building are included along with students’ quantitative and qualitative assessments. The use of course blogs led to multiple positive self-reported student learning outcomes. Based on the researchers’ self-evaluation and analysis of students’ survey feedback, and research into the current advertising and teaching environment, this article offers insights for using blogging to provide added benefits to advertising courses including improving the learning environment and increasing student skill development.