Challenges

While the studies reviewed provided compelling evidence for the promise of blogs as an effective reflective tool, they identified some challenges that must be considered when implementing this type of assessment.  One issue addressed by Wolf (2011) was the faculty time commitment required to provide the consistent formative feedback needed to guide student reflection.  

She indicates that monitoring student blogs and completing blog-related administrative duties presented a considerable commitment which required the dedication of more resources than initially anticipated. 

Wright (2011) indicated that a limitation identified by students was access.  The project she described involved students who were completing a teaching practicum.  Many of the students indicated that they were not able to reflect in situ as the schools had policies preventing use of mobile devices during school hours.  This was noted as an impediment to the spontaneity and ubiquity offered by the ability to use mobile devices for reflection.

One final issue identified by Wolf (2010) was a concern raised by both academics and students in her study about participating in a blog existing in a global forum.  She states that academics felt that their project was under increased scrutiny given that the blog was available publicly.  Some students expressed that the accessibility of their reflections caused them to be more conscious of how their feedback would be perceived and potentially restrained the scope and depth of their reflection.