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Blogs are basically online journals where individuals can express their ideas and post entries. Proponents of educational blogging demonstrate computer-mediated tool as an effective instrument in education. Ferdig and Trammell (2004) assert that blogging increases learners’ interest and chances to participate in a rich learning community online. Since incorporating technology in education has been spreading out rapidly across the world, it can be a platform to enhance leaner’s writing performance. Aydine (2014.b) sustains that online activities contribute as a pedagogical tool in learning writing. Face-to-face teaching creates boring lessons that affect learners’ writing quality. This study will check the feasibility of integrating weblog in BUC writing classrooms. Hashmi and Najafi (2011) ascertain that the majority of people have been using blogs in education since it paves the way to students to generate new ideas easily. Moreover, developing literature on blogging creates an effective teaching and long-life learning in education where blogging provides all learners with enough opportunities to practice writing independently (Godwin-Jones, 2008). Furthermore, previous studies state that “blogging has its potential to transform technology for learning and teaching” (Williams & Jacobs, 2004).
This paper examines the feasibility of integrating weblog in teaching writing skills. It also discusses challenges that bar technology integration into classrooms and examines the perspective of English teachers who sometimes fail to update their teaching techniques despite the availability of several technological devices in everyone’s hand such as Tablets, iPhones, and Smart-Phones, no matter where they are. To master writing, students have to achieve writing process through utilizing technology (Badger & White, 2000). Additionally, social media usage has effective influence on the different purposes it has been employed for. So, it can be integrated in education since devices are available in learners’ hands. Using diverse technologies affects people’s behaviour towards information system (Altayar & Ibin Saud, 2015; Tarhini, Masa’deh & Abbasi, 2015).
Technological devices are adopted and sometimes rejected due to some influential factors related to culture and the nature of people’s daily life (Tarhini et al. 2015). Elsoudy Fouda (2016) indicates that e.portfolio promotes learners’ critical thinking, achievement and self-confidence as well. Previous studies demonstrate that integrating technology contribute to enhance students as they struggle in language skills due to the traditional-learning environment that includes teacher-centred instruction. AlKhoudary (2015.a) points out that the majority of Omani students still suffer from their poor writing. Interestingly, students can access to post assignments on weblog so as to get feedback and comments from both teachers and partners as well (Aydin, 2015.a; Warschauer & Liaw, 2011; Al-Fadda & AlYahya, 2010; Al-Fahad, 2009).
Weblog is considered a supporting tool that excites students to engage in writing to achieve satisfactory results since writing is hard to teach due to learners’ previous accumulated weakness. Hall and Davison (2007) maintain that peers’ comments create interactive and collaborative learning community online. This humble study attempts to unveil appropriate solutions to those who are interested in teaching. Furthermore, this study is expected to affect teachers’ and students’ attitude towards integrating technology in education to eliminate teacher-centeredness and shift to student-centeredness.