A blog is used to discuss topics for students and the community, build communities, publish students’ work, create forum for collaboration and build a body of knowledge. I believe a blog is an excellent way of stimulating discussion. One idea of using a blog for my grade 10 Information Technology students is to have them participate in the blog by posting their comments on a topic that was taught in class. In addition, I can review and give feedback at a convenient time, and the students can give their feedback, as well. For example, I can ask students to look at software, and discuss their findings on the blog. It is a good way of having students post issues that might not be clear to them and need clarification. Blogging encourages participation from a global community, which lends itself to gaining knowledge from different perspectives. I can also post additional resources, such as books and websites so that students can do additional reading. The blog might also help to clarify issues and answer questions that students might be afraid to ask in class.
The blog’s main purpose is to create a better communication link between the teacher and students outside the classroom, in a more student friendly environment. It is not grounded to time and location, and is a very good place for students to interact about content, and share learning with the larger community. Students can also display their work and have, not only the teacher, but also students comment on their work.
A blog is a good tool for instructional context as it motivates students to learn and have a better appreciation for what they are learning. It also helps students visualize with technology, in the real world, while learning about it. Blogging is an easy way of posting assignments and deadlines, and an excellent way of getting parents involved in what their children are learning. Students will get an opportunity to have fun while learning.
Patrice,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea for the blog in your classroom. I agree very much with the statement that blogs are a great way to develop communication within the classroom with both teacher and students. Also, it allows for students to not be intimidated by time or others by sharing their views.
Do you have guidelines to what students can post? Are students allowed to post anonymously, or do you have access to who is posting? The only fear I have when incorporating my blog in my classroom is those points, and I will assure that those two guidelines are followed. I think that students should be able to post with the freedom of anonymity, but kids are kids and sometimes they have to be monitored for appropriate behavior.
With that, I believe that the blog site will allow students to act respectfully and responsibly. Sometimes we forget as educators that we need to teach those qualities as well as the content. Great job and I look forward to following your blog!
Hi Patrice,
ReplyDeleteYou made very valid points in your post. I specifically noted your thoughts on communication. The students at my school do not have an opportunity to communicate about school related content because I teach in an online self-paced environment. I would like to use blogs to encourage communication. I also think it is a great idea to keep parents involved. Great Post!!! I am excited to hear about your experiences with blogs in your classroom.
Hi Patrice,
ReplyDeleteI think your vision for your blog is fantastic! I might add that, in addition, to student's comments about the technology, software, or topic of the day, you might also encourage them to identify a link or other resource to back up their comment. This might help keep the comments focused on the topic as well as encourage the students to search for supporting information as they would in a research or persuasive paper. Great blog!!
What a wonderful use for blogging. Communication focused on content in a non-threatening or intimidating atmosphere is a great way to make sure student understand what they are being taught. I also think students should be able to maintain their anonimity in some way so how would you have them post (student ID number or last four digits of SS#) to also be able to control over what is being said and by whom?
ReplyDeleteI think your vision for using a blog in your classroom is a very clear image and I think it holds a ton of possibilities for your students.
ReplyDeleteAs far as having students post, if you wanted to have them post anonymously while still holding some measure of accountability you could assign all students a username in which they could use to post but you, as the teacher, would be the only person to know exactly who the comments belong to.
I really enjoyed all the posts and welcomed your comments. I am learning a lot from your responses and find new ways of making this 'blogging story' work in the classroom. Using a username and password is a good way of creating some kind of privacy. The fact that others from the outside world are welcomed to participate in the blog and post their comments, is still an idea I love. This will bring different perspectives to the class. So I am not too sure how the username and password would work. Any ideas? Please let us know.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI really like your ideas for using your blog in your classroom. Blogs can be great as a q/a forum--or a place to showcase work--I also really love how blogs provide an authentic context for students to discuss ideas--to see others' perspectives. It can help us to create a rich, vital learning community--keeping parents in the loop as well as connecting children.
Susan
Hi Patrice--I meant to type your name above but somehow I typed Chris' name--I am so sorry--I had just read his blog and his name was in my head. I cannot delete my posting but wanted to apologize to you.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about it. That happens sometimes and to the best of us.
Patrice