Implementing blogs for developing academic writing skills in a variety of higher educational contexts

摘要

For the past 10 years, we have observed how information and Communication Technologies (ICT) influences the methodology and practice of teaching academic writing skills. The shift has occurred from paper- and course book-based activities through blended courses on various Virtual Learning Environments (VLE's) to the implementation of blogging and handson student experience in e-material design. The authors have noted that this development appears to be leading to very positive outcomes in terms of the effectiveness of teaching writing skills and students' attitudes to e-learning in the academic contexts. The paper focuses on separate examples of successful implementation of online blogging in different academic contexts and examines attitudes, skill development and takes a look at other dimensions of the process, such as the development of intercultural competences through collaborative work of students from a variety of cultural backgrounds.