ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to examine the content of a selection of comment sections in educational blogs. Resources for learning is an overarching notion for this investigation, based on previous research on web-based learning resources in higher education. The focus of this examination is on how peer interactions are constructed and the roles that students take on as they share their thoughts and opinions through comments. This includes offering suggestions, providing evaluations, reflecting, expressing attitudes, and shaping the overall tone of the conversation. The aim is to gain a better understanding on the roles students construct within the interactional context of educational blogs. The analysis is conducted on a functional language-based approach and draws on concepts from systemic functional linguistics in social semiotics. Moreover, the aim is to contribute to the discussion on what type of interaction can be scaffolded by subject-related comment sections in educational blogs. The results indicate that students are engaging in a variety of roles and supporting each other through their comments.
